AMES
PO HIG
HL
D
A L T R N
THE HIGHLAND GAMES AND G
First established by the kings and chiefs of Scotland as a method for choosing the best men at arms, the highland games have become a symbol of Scottish and Celtic culture across the globe. During 1952, the games debuted in Oregon when the first Portland Highland Games were held at Jantzen Beach Park Arena. In the decades since, the Games have evolved into a family-friendly celebration of Scottish heritage that honors age-old traditions including Celtic dancing, piping competitions and Scottish heavy athletics.
GAtHER
REAL MEN WEAR SKIRTS
SAVOR
HE IS A BOLD MAN WHO FIRST ATE A HAGGIS.
GLORIOUS — MARY TODD LINCOLN
CONTEND
ES SHEAF TOSS
AM
HIGH
LA
D
P
N During the sheaf toss, a pitchfork is used to hurl a 16-pound burlap bag stuffed
G
with straw over a horizontal bar above the competitor’s head. Each competitor has three chances to cleanly toss the sheaf over the bar. After all challengers have made their attempts, the bar is raised and all successful competitors attempt the new height. This continues until all but one athlete is eliminated.
FAIR IS FOUL AND FOUL IS FAIR. 足足- Macbeth, Act 1 Scene 1
P
D
L A T R N O
The weight throw consists of two separate events — one using a light weight and the other a heavy weight. Men use 28-pound and 56-pound weights, while women throw 14-pound and 28-pound weights. Each weight is made of metal with a handle attached either directly or by means of a chain. Typically, a spinning technique is employed to throw the weight as far as possible using only one hand.
ES
WEIGHT THROW
SAVOR
HIGH
LA
CABER TOSS
ND
The object of the caber toss is not the distance of the throw, but the
direction it falls. A perfect toss ends with the original top end nearest the
thrower and the bottom pointing away. Each throw is scored by treating the caber as though it were the hour hand on a clock, with a perfect toss landing
at 12:00. A typical caber is a 19.5-foot-tall log that weighs over 175 pounds.
T R O P L
AN D
JOIN THE GAMES With a beer garden, a variety of delectable eats and a
ND
ES
wide spectrum of live entertainment, the Games offer something for everyone. So whether you’re a first-timer,
GAM
a dedicated spectator or an avid competitor, there’s a seat at the 2011 Portland Highland Games reserved just for you. If that’s not enough, you can get closer to the action by becoming a member of the Portland Highland Games Association, sponsoring this year’s event or signing up to volunteer on the big day. Get the scoop at phga.org, find us on Facebook, or follow @PDXScottishGames for the latest updates on Twitter.