- Title: UNITED KINGDOM: ANNUAL HIGHLAND GAMES TAKES PLACE SCOTTISH TOWN OF OBAN
- Date: 26th August 1999
- Summary: OBAN, SCOTLAND, UK (AUGUST 27, 1999) 1. MAN PLAYING THE BAGPIPES 2. VARIOUS IMAGES OF THE HIGHLAND GAMES 3. (SOUNDBITE) (ENGLISH) GAMES REFEREE BRIAN ROBIN EXPLAINING THE ORIGINS OF THE HIGHLAND GAMES 4. LIGHT STONE THROWING (16 POUNDS) EVENT 5. (SOUNDBITE) (ENGLISH) PAUL SIM FROM ALBERTA IN CANADA SAYING THAT HE COMPETES IN A NUMBER OF THE EVENTS IN HIS HOME TOWN AND IT'S HIS FIRST VISIT TO THE GAMES 6. HIGHLAND SWORD DANCING EVENT 7. LIGHT HAMMER THROWING (16 POUNDS) EVENT 8. OFFICIALS MEASURING THROWS 9. (SOUNDBITE) (ENGLISH) SHAWN LANGFORD FROM ALBERTA IN CANADA PRAISING THE OTHER HAMMER COMPETITORS 10. (SOUNDBITE) (ENGLISH) DAVID HORNE FROM FORT WILLIAM IN SCOTLAND TALKING ABOUT HOW BEST TO THROW THE HAMMER 11. KILTY RACE 12. (SOUNDBITE) (ENGLISH) DAVID HORNE FROM FORT WILLIAM IN SCOTLAND EXPLAINING HOW TO TOSS THE CABER 13. TOSSING THE CABER EVENT 14. CROWD Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 10th September 1999 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: OBAN, SCOTLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
- City:
- Country: United Kingdom
- Reuters ID: LVAAQNGL845AKJ7ZIG3F3CK0V6L7
- Story Text: The annual Highland Games have taken place at Oban in
Argyllshire, in the west of Scotland.
The Scottish sports of tossing the caber and highland
sword dancing form the main events of the Highland Games,
which took place on Thursday (August 26).
The games attract competitors from all parts of Scotland
with some traveling from overseas to take part in the unique
sporting tournament.
Traditional bagpipes signal the start of competition at
the opening ceremony for a tournament which is steeped in
history.The Argyllshire Gathering for the Highland Games
dates back to August 25, 1871.
The Games, which are presided over by His Grace the Duke
of Argyllshire, were set up originally as an opportunity for
the whole of the County of Argyll to foregather.Since then it
has continued to serve as a social occasion for both those who
live locally and for those whose roots lie in the area, many
of whom make a point of returning every year.
The Games were founded on rivalry between individuals,
districts and clans.
Some of the events such as the hammer have been taken up
by recognised athletic organisations, but the one event with
which the Highland Games is associated is tossing the caber.
The nineteen foot pole which weighs 120 pounds has to be
thrown in the air, land on its end and complete a somersault.
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