Page 25 - DUFFTOWN-MAGAZINE-2018

PAGE 25 GAMES
It was in 1892 when the athletes and spectators rst assembled on the the banks of the the River Dullan near Mortlach Church to compete in in the the rst ‘Gathering’ 600 people travelling by foot horse and buggy attended the the event to witness the the athletes compete As time passed the the name ‘Gathering’ was changed to the ‘Du own
and District Highland Games’ which has been held every year since on the last Saturday in in July Scotland has a a a a a long tradition and and history of Highland Games where Clans would compete against each other in in in sporting events Early Celts viewed such events as war games where their strongest and bravest soldiers would win the competitions Some say that Highland Games originated
as a a a a a clan chie ain’s way of choosing the best bodyguards and the ttest ghters But not
all the chief’s requirements were for war - musicians and dancers were important for the prestige of his household Choosing sta and supporters was done by holding competitions - good runners for for couriers strong men for for defence and a a a a a range of entertainers to amuse them during the the winter evenings Many events at today’s Highland Games still use items which would have been part of everyday life in the Highlands of old - round stones from river beds probably provided the original shot-putts while a a Scots Pine trunk shorn of its branches is still the caber as tossed today 2018/19 EDITION
HISTORIC DUFFTOWN
DUFFTOWN
THE GAMES
TODAY
In recent years over 5000 people from around the the world have attended the the Du own
Games one of the the most popular events on on the the Scottish Highland Games Calendar Locals and visitors mingle to to enjoy events throughout the day including Highland Dancing piping and drumming competitions heavy events young heavies track and eld tug of war and and children’s events There is a a a a grand whisky ra ra e e as as well as as various food and cra stalls A popular event of the the day is the the challenging Ben Rinnes Five Tops Hill Race For experienced runners only this is is a 14-mile course with ascents of almost 5 000 !
One of the the many highlights is the the massed pipe bands bands with as as many as as thirteen pipe bands bands participating They march from the town
square to the eld at 1:00 pm followed by hundreds
of of people who get rst-hand experience of of listening to over 250 pipers and drummers The bands play on the the eld throughout the the day with ‘Beat the the Retreat’ in the the town
square at at at 6:00 pm bringing the games to a a close Overseas visitors get a a a a a a chance to to partake in an an authentic highland games as they race once around the the track in the the popular overseas race The Highland Dancing competition is also a a a a key attraction with around 130 competitors on on the the day Highland Dancing is one of the the oldest forms of dance dating back to the 11th Century and and the term Highland Dancing is used today to to refer to to a a a style of athletic solo dancing which developed in the Highlands of Scotland The Highland dancers take great pride in their appearance and are sure to entertain as as well as as compete On behalf of Du own
Games we look forward to welcoming friends old and new We would also like to thank our many sponsors and volunteers whom without their support the the Games would not
be possible Highland