Men in skirts
From bagpipes to hurling heavy objects short distances, the Seaside Highland Games are everything Scottish
By Michael Sullivan 10/08/2009
In a town such as Ventura, it is rare that one would see a man wearing a skirt, never mind numerous big, burly men wearing plaid skirts. Not only is it strange to see men in such airy garments, but to see them hurling heavy objects into the air with the hope they will travel a few feet, would seem to be the oddest of couplings. But not at this time of year — when the Seaside Highland Games make an annual return to the Ventura County Fairgrounds.
While many will be partaking in the American pastime of watching men in spandex catching an oddly-shaped pigskin ball this weekend, John Lowry, chief and president of the Highland Games, expects a big turnout — more than 23,000 — to participate in the seventh annual festival dedicated to everything Scottish.
“I think it is going to be immensely popular,” Lowry said. “A lot of people don’t have money to travel overseas this year, and I say, ‘If you can’t go to Scotland, don’t worry about it. We will bring it to you.’ There will be every phase of life in Scotland, as it is, was or will be.”
Once inside, you will be entranced by the bellowing of bagpipes and the fancy footwork of the Irish dancers of Ventura’s Claddagh Dance Company. The Celtic bands and classic British cars will be sure to sweep you off your feet to another time and place. Watching the Highland Warriors reenacting battles of yesteryear and furry sheep herding canines do what they do best is sure to be an amusing affair. But this seaside festival is nothing without its traditional games.
While Americans have grown accustomed to watching athletes running to and fro trying to catch, throw or hit round or semi-round objects to score points, the traditional games of the Scots resemble nothing of the sort.
According to Brandon Goodman, who is the athletic director of the games this year and has been a regular competitor, most of the games are based on pragmatic applications of everyday tasks or life long ago in Scotland. While most people find it hard to integrate dribbling basketballs between their legs before hitting the water cooler, many of the Highland games originated from chores or defense strategies in battle. Clad in traditional Scottish kilts, athletes compete in the following:
The sheaf toss:Athletes pick up a 50-pound sack of hay with a pitch fork and toss it to the top of the “ loft.”
Tossing the caber:Athletes pick up a log (up to 18 feet long) by one end, balance it straight up, run, and attempt to toss it end over end in a straight line and for distance. This came about because the Scots would cut down trees and use them for bridges or as ways to get up and over walls, or to knock doors down.
Hammer throwing:Athletes hold an object similar to a sledge hammer, lift and spin it over their heads (as with a lasso before throwing it but with both hands) faster and faster until they let go to see how far it sails. This was used to knock people off the castle walls from a distance.
Throwing the weights or weight for height and weight for distance: For the first of these two competitions, athletes 1.) Throw what amounts to a 50-pound anvil with a ring-handle up, over their head and back over a high bar, and 2) throw a heavy ball attached to a chain by spinning and letting loose — similar to discus throwing, but with the ball and chain. Weight for height was a sneak attack, where a Scott would get to a castle wall and wait for an English solider to get to the top and then use the weight to knock him off the castle wall. Weight for distance was used to knock horses down.
For both spectator and competitor, the Seaside Highland Games is sure to be an exciting event and an interesting glimpse into another way of life.
The Seaside Highland Games will be at the Ventura County Fairgrounds at 10 W. Harbor Blvd., on Oct. 10 and 11, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets range from $3 for children to $14 for ages 13 and older. For a two-day pass, tickets range from $6 to $22. Advance tickets can also be purchased online at www.seaside-games.com at a discounted price for adults.
DIGG | del.icio.us | REDDIT