Leaving for Scotland again! We enjoyed traveling by rail so much last time, we decided to take the train again. We’re only using daytime trains this time, and stopping in London just long enough to have lunch in between our connections.
But first, let’s leave, so we can actually catch our train!
Darach Urquhart, Piper by Richard Findlay@FotoFlingScotland @_Highland Games
Via Flickr:Lochearnhead Highland Games 2015
Solo Piping Results
Piob:
1 Darach Urquhart (Big Spree)
2 Peter McCalister
3 Graham Mulholland
4 John Mulhearn
Judges: A Wright, M McRaeMarch:
1 Gordon McCready
2 John Mulhearn
3 Finlay Johnston
4 Ben Mulhearn
Judges: A Forbes, A FraterS&R
1 Gordon McCready
2 Finlay Johnston
3 John Mulhearn
4 Graham Mulholland
Judges: J Banks, G LumsdenLochearnhead Highland Games – History
The Highland Games have been a classic part of Scottish culture for centuries. Many stories have been told purporting to explain the origins of highland games:
A method of finding the best warriors to fight for the clan chieftain
A way of passing the time for agricultural workers – using available items such as hammers, tree trunks and bales of straw as a means of testing the strength.
Whatever the origins, highland games take place regularly in many highland villages and towns every year. Set in the splendid natural amphitheatre of the surrounding hills, Lochearnhead Games are still run along traditional lines as a “village games”
Ewen The games were first run many years ago with the three villages – Balquhidder, Lochearnhead and Strathyre – taking turns to host the games. For a few years the games lapsed before being re-started by Mr Ewen Cameron, then the proprietor of the original Lochearnhead Hotel. He was himself a notable heavyweight athlete taking over 100 first prizes over a season when he was competing. Ewen stood almost 6 feet 5 inches in height but did not look anything like this as he was 22 stones in weight, with a 53 inch chest, 16 inch biceps and 36 inch thighs, remotely related to the great A.A.Cameron he was , like his predecessor , a very good wrestler and for a long time was unbeaten, on one occasion he even beat the British Cumberland style champion, which is no mean feat, for it took a lot then, as now to “coup”the lads from the north of England. On one occasion Ewen packed up his caber and went off on his own to Denmark to appear before 30,000 spectators proving , as always, a wonderful ambassador for Scotland.When the games once again became a regular annual event they were always held at Lochearnhead games field, mainly for reasons of space and convenience.
The three villages are now in the midst of the new Trossachs National Park, and have wonderful historical links to many of the famous Scottish clans. To this day, there is a strong presence of the clans MacLaren, MacGregor. Macnab, Stewart and Cameron, all whom have been represented as Chieftain.
Tug o’ War Satisfaction #Flickrapp #lochearnhead
In just a little over two weeks the MacLarens will compete again in the Lochearnhead Highland Games. Unfortunately, I can’t be there myself, so I hope to see a lot of great photos of my kinsmen in action!
Lochearnhead Highland Games more pix here
Clan MacLaren doing an excellent job at the Lochearnhead Highland Games last year. I couldn’t be there this year either, but they informed me we beat the MacGregors in the Tug of War, so it was a good day. 🙂
One day I might actually join in the fun!
