Aberdeen Highland Games 2019

Clan Cameron NSW was well represented at the 2019 Aberdeen Highland Games held Saturday 6 July.

The Clan participated in the Opening Ceremony alongside other Scottish Clans together with the pipe bands.  We were delighted to share our clan heritage with the many visitors and dignitaries who visited the Clan Cameron NSW tent and display and we were also delighted to welcome five new members and their families to our association.

We all enjoyed the games immensely, the highlights of which were the pipe bands and the kilted warriors. The novelty events  were also a great hit with the children.

The pipe bands are what make a Scottish event so special.

Each band performed multiple routines on the day competing for The McMullin Shield for the most outstanding band, the Scottish Australian Heritage Council Trophy, the Celtic Warriors Ceremonial Sword, and the Aberdeen Highland Games President’s Perpetual Trophy.

Under the direction of the Drum Major of the Day, the bands came together as one at the opening and closing ceremonies, creating a mass band of hundreds of pipers and drummers in what was a truly impressive spectacle.

The Kilted Warriors was a great part of the Aberdeen Highland Games, with athletes competing in a traditional Celtic strongman competition. Four athletes competed in three traditional events; Stones, Sheaf and Caber Toss.

Stones is a traditional test of pure strength. The athletes competed against the clock to determine who can lift five stones of increasing weights off the ground and onto barrels. With the stones weighing between 100 and 165kg this was not an event for the average person, but it was great to watch.

Sheaf Toss This traditional Scottish agricultural sport involves using a pitchfork to hurl a burlap bag stuffed with straw over a horizontal bar above the competitor’s head. The bag typical weights about 7kg.

Caber Toss This traditional Scottish athletic event is said to have developed from the need to toss logs across narrow chasms to cross them. A perfect throw ends with the ‘top’ end nearest to the thrower and the ‘bottom’ end pointing exactly away. This is an impressive feat when the caber is typically 5.94m long and weighs 79kg, with one athlete achieving a good effort at tossing the caber, albeit not in a direct line.

The Tug O War was hotly contested over a number of events with numerous teams testing their strength on the day.

We are looking forward to next year’s highland games, with the Clan Cameron NSW tent next appearing at the Bundanoon Highland Gathering, Saturday 4 April 2020.

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