Recurrent Events/ FestivalsCowal Highland Gathering > Review
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perfection!
Piping hot!
weetoon (42)
Ecosse, United Kingdom
The Cowal games have an international reputation, and rightly so. I am not sure if they are the biggest, but they are certainly well attended. They are mostly famous for the pipe band competition, and when you have seen 150 pipe bands lined up on the field starting to play and then file past the Chieftain of the Games, you never forget it. That's about 3000 pipers and drummers, and I guarantee you will be hearing pipe music for about a week after the games!
But of course, its not just the pipe bands that make the Games what they are. There are a number of other competitions, and the heavy athletic events are always very popular with spectators. Wearing the traditional kilt, the athletes throw huge weights over a bar that is moved higher and higher, throw the hammer and of course toss the caber. The aim here is to throw a huge tree trunk. Distance doesn't really matter, but the caber must be upended, that is to say its uppermost end must touch the ground first, and the other end must then fall away from the athlete. Other events include a shinty competition, a tug-of-war and various track events. With cash prizes for all of these, the competition can be fierce.
Highland dancing and solo piping are judged at the games too. For this and the pipe band competition, competitors come from all over the world, in particular from Canada, the USA, New-Zealand, Australia and South Africa. I think around 3,500 people take part over the two days, and the little town of Dunoon welcomes over 15,000 visitors.
When the games are over, it is time for all the pipe bands to let their hair down a little as they march through the streets of Dunoon, showing off their trophies. At the front of some bands, there is a guy throwing the mace up and catching it, I am sure there is a technical name for this position in the band but I don't know what it is. As the bands march, there is an unofficial competition to see who can do the most spectacular throws. This part of the day is really great, but I have to say it is spoiled somewhat by the number of drunks behaving badly on the streets of Dunoon. It is a pity they have to spoil what is otherwise a fantastic event.
But of course, its not just the pipe bands that make the Games what they are. There are a number of other competitions, and the heavy athletic events are always very popular with spectators. Wearing the traditional kilt, the athletes throw huge weights over a bar that is moved higher and higher, throw the hammer and of course toss the caber. The aim here is to throw a huge tree trunk. Distance doesn't really matter, but the caber must be upended, that is to say its uppermost end must touch the ground first, and the other end must then fall away from the athlete. Other events include a shinty competition, a tug-of-war and various track events. With cash prizes for all of these, the competition can be fierce.
Highland dancing and solo piping are judged at the games too. For this and the pipe band competition, competitors come from all over the world, in particular from Canada, the USA, New-Zealand, Australia and South Africa. I think around 3,500 people take part over the two days, and the little town of Dunoon welcomes over 15,000 visitors.
When the games are over, it is time for all the pipe bands to let their hair down a little as they march through the streets of Dunoon, showing off their trophies. At the front of some bands, there is a guy throwing the mace up and catching it, I am sure there is a technical name for this position in the band but I don't know what it is. As the bands march, there is an unofficial competition to see who can do the most spectacular throws. This part of the day is really great, but I have to say it is spoiled somewhat by the number of drunks behaving badly on the streets of Dunoon. It is a pity they have to spoil what is otherwise a fantastic event.
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