THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING THE UTAH SCOTTISH ASSOCIATION HIGHLAND GAMES & SCOTTISH FESTIVAL 2008!

To be a Scot is to be fiercely proud, patriotic, and competitive. Long ago, clans frequently and with fiery, violent passion defended their territories from one another. As Highland chiefs prepared for battle, they chose the best and strongest warriors based on their performance in a series of physically demanding contests during clan gatherings. Legend suggests these contests are the basis of the Highland Games today. These ancient contests have evolved over the centuries into a modern event, which consists of the Stone Throw, the Weight Throws (28 and 56 pound stones), the Hammer Throw, the Caber Toss, the 56-pound Weight Toss, and the Sheaf Toss.

Origins of Highland Games and Competitions

The history of the Highland Games has been linked to Malcolm Canmore, an 11th century King of Scotland. History tells us that about the time the Norman Conquerors were forming modern England, Malcolm was in Scotland searching for fast runners to carry messages. One way to discover the best runners was to organize a footrace. The race Malcolm organized proceeded to the summit of a mountain near Braemar, Scotland.

  Over the years, piping, dancing, tests of strength and other skills were added as a way to find the best men to be part of a king's or chief's retinue. These competitions tested men for strength, stamina, accuracy and agility. The implements of the contests were found in any village or on any farm: the blacksmith's hammer was used for throwing, a rounded stone from the river for "putting the stone", ordinary block weights for throwing and a fallen tree trunk for the caber toss.

  In 1746, after the bloody Battle of Culloden, the Highland Games ceased to exist for several decades. The English government outlawed the wearing of the kilt, playing the pipes and public gatherings in Scotland.

  In 1782, these bans were lifted and Highland Games were once again held throughout Scotland. They have flourished ever since in Scotland, Canada and the United States.

(Provided by Niagara Celtic Heritage Society)

The event was held June 13 & 14 2008 at Thanksgiving Point, Lehi, UT.

Our Highland Games in 2009 will be the second weekend of June.

More information will be posted on this page at a later date.