Highland Games & Ceilidh

Chattanooga-area homeschool families are invited to join us for our Highland Games and Ceilidh! Highland games are traditional Scottish sports; we will be doing modified versions of traditional events suitable for students of a variety of ages. A ceilidh is an evening of Scottish dance, often with music and poetry performances.

CONGRATULATIONS 2024 CHAMPIONS: CLAN STEWART!

Check back next winter for information about the 2025 games!

Clans

Participants will be divided into 5-7 teams representing the Scottish clans below. Points earned by all participants in the games will be counted toward your clan’s total score; the clan with the highest score wins the day – medals will be awarded to the first prize clan only. First-prize winners in all events will receive recognition.

Bruce

Fuimus (We have been) – History

Douglas

Jamais Arriere (Never behind) – History

Fraser of Lovat

Je Suis Prest (I am ready) – History

MacDonald of the Isles

Per Mare Per Terras (By sea and by land) – History

Ross

Spem Successus Alit (Success nourishes hope) – History

Stewart

Virescit Vulnere Virtus (Courage grows strong at a wound) – History

Wallace

Pro Libertate (For liberty) – History

Dress

For the games

  • Each team will have its own tartan; team members are required to wear their team’s tartan (available upon arrival; must be returned at the end of the day)
  • Wear sturdy athletic shoes and clothing you can move in easily.
  • If you have them, kilts are optional; must reach below the knee.

For the ceilidh

  • All: Semi-formal/Sunday best or traditional Highland dress

Opening Ceremony

All clans parade to enter the games competition area as a brief history of the clan they represent is read.

Games

All events will be divided into men’s and ladies’ competitions. All throwing events are best of three tries. A good video introduction to the standard (i.e. not modified) sports is available here. If you plan to compete, it is strongly recommended that you practice in advance with similar objects and begin with light weights. 

  • Caber toss – The caber (not full size!), with the widest end raised, must flip end over end and land as close to the twelve-o’clock position as possible
  • Stone put – Throw a rock as far as you can (distance); must begin beside your chin (not overhand or underhand)
  • [[[Sheaf toss/weight-for-height – Throw a sheaf (or a bundle of material substituted for grain stalks) as high as you can without letting it touch the rope]]]* May be omitted or substituted this year
  • RACES
    • Farmer’s Walk – Carry a heavy bucket in each hand over a fixed distance as fast as you can
    • Long-distance – Twice around the field
    • Sprint – The length of the field and back
    • Three-Legged – The length of the field and back

Dinner

Dinner is pot-luck. Each student or family should bring a main dish to share as well as a side or dessert. Traditional Scottish dishes are welcome. If you would like to bring a drink, please bring bottled water only – to meet the regulations for our location.

Ceilidh

The evening will conclude with group singing of traditional Scottish songs, music performances, poetry recitations, and traditional Scottish dances. Music and poetry presentations will earn points for your clan!