Highland games are events held in spring and summer in Scotland and other countries with a large Scottish diaspora, as a way of celebrating Scottish and Celtic culture, especially that of the Scottish Highlands. Certain aspects of the games are so well known as to have become emblematic of Scotland, such as the bagpipes, the kilt, and the heavy events, especially the caber toss and weight over bar. While centred on competitions in piping and drumming, dancing, and Scottish heavy athletics, the games also include entertainment and exhibits related to other aspects of Scottish and Gaelic cultures.
Opening ceremonies of 2004 Canmore Highland games
Massed bands at the Glengarry Highland Games, Maxville, Ontario, Canada, 2006
Weight over the bar event at the Carmunnock Highland Games, Scotland
Highland Dancing Competition at the Dornoch Highland Gathering, Scotland
A kilt is a garment resembling a wrap-around knee-length skirt, made of twill-woven worsted wool with heavy pleats at the sides and back and traditionally a tartan pattern. Originating in the Scottish Highland dress for men, it is first recorded in the 16th century as the great kilt, a full-length garment whose upper half could be worn as a cloak. The small kilt or modern kilt emerged in the 18th century, and is essentially the bottom half of the great kilt. Since the 19th century, it has become associated with the wider culture of Scotland, and more broadly with Gaelic or Celtic heritage.
One of the earliest depictions of the kilt is this German print showing Highlanders around 1630
The modern Scottish kilt worn with formal evening wear (2009) and a highly decorative sporran hanging from the waist
General William Gordon, shown wearing a kilt—part of the uniform of the short-lived 105th Regiment of Foot—in the painting by Pompeo Batoni (1765–66).
Oliver tartan kilt (2006)