The Origin of the Highland Games

According to tradition, Scottish highland games had their beginning when originated by the kings and chiefs of Scotland as a reasonable agreement method of choosing the best men at arms. Crude forms of the athletic events you see today were developed to test the contestants for strength, stamina, accuracy and agility.

Of course, they used the elements and materials of thier day-to-day life and so the caber toss, archery, wrestling, and foot races up steep hills were seen. Even Highland dancing was used to tax the endurance and strength of competitors. It is interesting to note, for example, that the Scottish regiments used to require Highland dancing as a form of training to develope stamina and agility.

The present day popularity of the Scottish Games must be credited to the indomitable Queen Victoria, who developed a love for Scotland, its people and things Scottish early in her life. She with her entire Royal family, regularly attended the Scottish Games held at Braemar.

From "Sixth Annual Texas Scottish Festival & Highland Games"