BLOG 13: Blackford Highland Games

We visit the 151st gathering at the very traditional 'Blackford Highland Games' in the village of the same name.

The Highland Games have been an important part of Scottish culture for centuries and are as popular today as ever. It's no wonder, because at all of the Highland Games in Scotland you can experience a sense of community and tradition in a relaxed atmosphere.

Blackford is a small town with about 1000 inhabitants and so the Highland Games are very familiar. It starts at 10:30 a.m. with the dance competitions and the bagpipe competition for young people – both last for hours almost until the end of the event at around 6:00 p.m. So there is definitely bagpipe sound all day long guaranteed.

Before the official start at 12.30 p.m. we quickly visit one of the sponsors of the Games - the local whisky distillery Tullibardine. Here, too, almost exclusively bourbon casks from the USA are used for the storage and aging of the whisky – according US law Bourbon casks may only be used once (!) and so the Scots can get almost new casks cheaply...

Now we must hurry, the - quite small group of Pipes and Drums is already on its way through the main street to the fairground. Usually the band is led by one or more 'Chieftains' - clan bosses, apparently none are available here, so a deputation of local notables is allowed to march ahead.

After arriving at the fairground, the competitions can really start, from juniors and also in the 'heavy weight' balls, weights and the 'Scottish hammer' are thrown, the things have a weight of up to 25 kg. There are also various running competitions, cycling on grass, long high and triple jump - especially for young people.

The finale are - in addition to a 'round up' by the music band - the tree and 'weight over the bar' weight high - throwing. When throwing the tree not the distance is important but the trunk, which has to be carried top-heavy and is about 5 m long in the Heavy Weight, has to be thrown in such a way that it turns lengthwise and lands with the lighter tip forward parallel to the thrower. This is strictly monitored by the accompanying referees.

At the weight throw, a 25 kg weight is swung twice with one hand - standing with your back to the bar - and then thrown upwards. Vlad Tulacek has held the record in Blackford since last year with 16 feet and 6 inches – which corresponds to around 5.2 m. This year the Czech is again the dominator of the throwing competitions, but this time he “only” manages 16 feet – 4.9 m in the high throw.

After the competitions are over, the area empties very quickly, it is cleaned up and by 9:00 p.m. almost everything is in order again.