Heavy Events

In their original form many centuries ago, Highland Games revolved around athletic and sports competitions. Though other activities were always a part of the festivities, many today still consider Highland athletics are what the games are all about. It remains true today that athletic competitions are at least an integral part of the events and are – the caber toss which has come to almost symbolize the Highland Games.

Although quite a range of events can be part of the Highland competition a few have become standard in Cumnock.

• Caber Toss
• Cumnock Stone Put
• Scottish Hammer Throw
• Weight Throw
• Weight Over The Bar

Music

For many years Highland Games festival attendees the most memorable of all the events at the games is the massing of pipe bands. Normally held in conjunction with the opening and closing ceremonies of the games, as many as ten or more pipe bands will march and play together.

It is in fact the music of the bagpipe which has came to symbolize music at the Games and indeed in Scotland itself. In addition to the massed bands nearly all Highland Games gatherings feature a wide range of piping and drumming competition.

Dance

There are two basic forms of dancing at modern Highland Games gatherings. Scottish country dancing is a social dance like ballroom dancing or square dancing, the latter of which evolved from country dancing.

The other types of dancing which can be seen at Highland Games events are highly competitive and technical form known as Highland dancing. This again takes two forms. First there are the traditional Highland dances – the Sword Dance (or Gillie Calum), the Highland Fling, the Highland Reel and the Seann Triubhas (pronounced Shaun Trews).

Highland dancing in all of its competitive forms, is a very technical dance form, requiring many hours or practice and training over a period of several years in order to perfect.