Image by Flickr user sultmhoorImage by 20080919scottish.jpg I know it's an a festival for the entire Scottish culture, but it's hard to not focus on the throwing of heavy things.
Weight tossing, hammer throwing, bag pipes, and border collies can only mean one thing: The Scottish Games are back! As per usual they're at the Boone Hall Plantation in Mount Pleasant on Saturday, September 20, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Here's an overview of the events:
Heavy Athletics
Scottish Heavy Athletics at Charleston encompass the following events: Clachneart, 28-Lb. and 56-Lb. Weight Throw, 56-Lb. Weight Toss for Height, 22-Lb. Hammer Throw, Sheaf Toss, and Caber Toss.
Piping and Drumming
More than 25 pipe bands were present this past year at our games. Even more are expected in the future. Come hear the 2/4 March, Piobaireachd, Strathspey & Reel, and many more.
Highland Dancing
The Scottish dances, like the dances of all nations, are ancient in origin, dating back to the 11th and 12th centuries. These dances, in the begining, were expressions of both personal and social emotions like joy, victory, or were perhaps symbolic of one’s work.
Scottish Country Dancing
Scottish Country Dancing is the ballroom dancing of Scotland. The actual steps have their origin in the French Ballet, while the manners come from the French Court. This type of dancing originally belonged to the Court, but eventually was done in the barn as well.
Scottish Fiddling
This will be the second year Scottish Fiddling has been present at the Charleston Games. This year it will be a fun-filled “Jam Session” at the Fiddling site. Bring your favorite music (& copies), a music stand and join up from 10:00 - 11:30AM and 2:00 - 3:30pm. Between times, there will be discussion and socializing. If you don’t play the fiddle, come by, listen, tap your foot, see how it’s done and find how you too can learn.
Children’s Games
There will be children’s activities all day long. Children’s Games (loosely modeled after Scottish Heavy Athletics) will begin at 1:00pm and activities will end at 4:00pm. Please do not leave your children unattended!
Border Collie Demo
The Border Collie was developed in the Border Country of Scotland, an area long known for its sheep industry. In fact, it has been said that without the Border Collie, there would be no sheep industry. Today, this breed of dog is known the world over for its intelligence and livestock-working ability.
Saturday is the big day for the games but there's also "Kirkin’ O’the Tartan" on Sunday.
Admission is $15 for adults, but you can save $2 and buy a ticket online.
Head over to their Web site for lots more details, or hop over to Boone Hall Plantation for an overview of the games and info on the plantation.
