Highland Games Inveraray Inverary

Inveraray Inverary Argyll Scotland

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Tuesday 17th July 2012

World Caber Championships

highland games

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The games start with a pipe band parade at 10.45am from the town centre. Admission prices at the gate are Adults £8, Seniors £5 and Children £3. Family Ticket £18. Free parking at Winterton Park. The games are well sign posted to Inveraray.

dancing

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Highland dancing consists of three dances; the Highland Fling is said to mimic Red Deer on the hill, the Sword Dance and the Seann Triubhas which is a celebratory dance for the reintroduction of the kilt after its prescription following Culloden in 1745.

piping

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Bagpipe music has come to symbolise the highland games and indeed Scotland itself. As well as the solo piping competition which runs the whole day, pipe bands play many crowd-pleasing favourites.

heavy & light events

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The heavy events are the highlight of any highland games and the Caber World Championship will be contested again this year at Inveraray. Other events include the hammer throw, weight throw, weight over the bar and the stone putt. Light events include running, cycling, long jump, high jump and wrestling.

welcome

We look forward to welcoming you to the grounds of Inveraray Castle, the venue of the Inveraray Highland Games. The Games celebrate our rich culture and heritage with field and track events, piping and Highland dancing competitions and 'heavy events' including the world championships for tossing the caber. You will also find a good selection of local Scottish food and drink stands as well many trade and charity stalls. There is also a fair for young children.

inveraray

Inveraray & district is where you will find the very best of Scotland. It is the traditional county town of Argyll and ancestral home of the Duke of Argyll, who founded the town in 1745, alongside his new dwelling, Inveraray Castle.

There is lots to do and see in Inveraray, the gateway to the Highlands and Islands. It offers access to national parks, mountains, glorious gardens and beautiful islands.

History of the Inveraray Games

When Mary Queen of Scots visited her half sister, the Countess of Argyll in 1563, the young men of the district showed off their athletic prowess before the Queen and her entourage. This was to be the catalyst for the Inveraray Highland Games.

An association known as the Inveraray Regatta and Sports Club held a meeting on the 20th September 1890 and the Inveraray Highland Games rules were put to paper. The club was funded by local wealthy families and business men. The patrons were listed as the Duke of Argyll and his son the Marquis of Lorne, the secretary was Charles Guthrie a local baker and the treasurer was David Stewart whose great grandson is a member of the present games committee.

In 1893 gate money was charged for the first time and the following year the rules were printed on the bills and programmes. The main attraction of 1898 was a display by the Band and Social Drill Unit of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, who were transported to the games by free passage on the Lord of the Isles paddle steamer and marched from the pier to Stable Park. Seats in the Grand Stand cost 1 Shilling and the standing area accommodated 600 people.

Caber World Championship Inveraray Games

The most spectacular event of any Scottish Highlands Games is the ancient and unique sport of tossing the caber (Gaelic cabar, a pole or beam). The caber is a large wooden pole, similar to a telephone or power pole. This sport has been practised from the very earliest days and the general rules and character of the event have remained unaltered over the centuries. The Caber World Championship is contested this year at the Inveraray Highland Games. The caber typically between 5-6metres / 16-20feet tall and weighs between 35-60Kg / 80-130pounds. It is not unusual for a caber to break in the course of a competition.

First the caber is lifted upright and held balanced at the tapered end. The tosser runs to gain momentum, then skilfully flips the caber. He tries to make it execute a perfect 180 degrees turn in the air, land on its opposite end and in line pointing directly away from him.

The object is not the distance of the throw. A perfect score is a "twelve o'clock" toss. Points are deducted if the caber points to the left or right of the "twelve o'clock" position. If the caber does not complete the end over end manoeuvre, no points are scored. Skill is as important as strength, and the caber's length and balance are greater obstacles than its weight.

Friends of the Inveraray Games

Help support this popular Traditional Highland Games. Friends of the Inveraray Games support, care and enjoy one of the oldest traditional Highland Games in Scotland. By joining us and lending your financial support, you can be part of the long-term future of the Games.

To become a Friend of the Inveraray Highland Games please print and complete the standing order form. CLICK ME

Friends are entitled to free admission and a Souvenir Programme on games day. Thank you for your support.

Treasurer, Inveraray Highland Games, Royal Bank House, Church Square, Inveraray, Argyll PA32 8TY

Inveraray Games