The Glasgow Highland Games, held at Barren River Lake State Resort Park in Lucas, Ky., south of Glasgow, is an annual event that takes place the weekend following Memorial Day. The Games began in 1986 and are now recognized internationally. There are approximately 325 Highland Games held each year and the Glasgow Highland Games are among the top 10 in quality and attendance. It is one of the few Games in the country that has a full-time staff member.
Each year, Scottish dignitaries attend the Glasgow Highland Games. Educational and cultural opportunities abound as Scottish, Irish and Celtic traditions are celebrated with dancing, music, bag piping, axe throwing, athletic competitions, genealogical research, clan meetings, parties, fine food and drink, children’s activities, highland cattle and sheepdog demonstration, golfing, crafts and much more.
This three-day festival is one of the most extraordinary and unique in the United States. There are world class athletic events, a great variety of Celtic bands and individuals from Scotland, Canada and the United States. Children are encouraged to learn and get involved in their heritage. Our children’s area is educational, fun and very interesting. Among a vast array of games and activities, the adult members of Clan Wallace “challenge” the children in attendance to a tug of war. Surprisingly,
your children always win and receive a medallion for their magnificent show of strength! Bring your kids!
Like to shop? You’ll find a wonderful variety of handmade and imported wares from Scotland and Ireland, plus some local artisans with handmade items of exceptional quality and craftsmanship.
Like to eat? Taste the traditional Scottish foods like the Scotch Egg…these are so delicious. If your taste buds lean more to the traditional “American” menu items, you can get any number of scrumptious foods and desserts.
Like music? Featured will be the Tannahill Weavers from Scotland. If your taste in music is more traditional, this is the band for you. Also, Colin Grant-Adams from Oban, Scotland, is a balladeer who lives to perform the music of his homeland. If you’ve not heard Barrenhart from Barren and Hart Counties, it’s time you do! For the toe tapping to foot stomping att
endees, invited are Father, Son and Friends from Dayton, Ohio, and Tuatha Dea from the Blue Ridge Mountain area. Both of these bands will leave you wanting to hear more.
Look up the entertainers on the internet, listen to their music, then come hear them live.
Do you know your family heritage and customs? There are vendors and information available to help you discover your roots.
The pageantry of the Massed Bands ceremony is sure to stir up a strong sense of pride like you’ve never experienced. When they play the National Anthems of America, Canada and Scotland, you will fully understand why The Glasgow Highland Games wanted you there to share that moment with them.
When you walk through the entrance gates, you instantly feel like you’re a member of the family.
Understanding the tradition:
The word “clan” simply means children. A clan chief is the person who is a head of the clan (children/family) and usually lives in Scotland. Some live in the original castle that has been in the family for hundreds of years.
Many of the events are reenactments of events from early Scotland. For instance, one event is called the Ladies Haggis Toss where a bag is tossed for distance. In early Scotland, the ladies would make the haggis (meaty treat) and bungle it up then toss it across the lake (loch in Scotland) to their family men in battle.
One of the favorite competitions for everyone to watch is the caber (a telephone pole) toss. The origin of this most traditional of Scottish athletic events is somewhat obscure even though records of its existence (“ye’ tossing of ye bar”) date back to the 16th Century. This event, like so many athletic events may well have begun as a military discipline developed to breach fortification and barriers. The modern caber toss has a much more peaceful purpose. It measures strength, accuracy and skill. The object of the contest is to toss the 100 to 200 pound, 18 to 19-foot-long caber end over end so this it lands with the bottom or small end pointing directly away from the contestant. The athlete with the straightest toss is the winner. Distance has no bearing on the outcome of the event at all. Three tosses are allowed and all three are scored to determine the winner. This year the top ten female athletes in the United States have been invited to compete. Watching those amazing women lift and throw the caber is a sight to behold.
The music, athletic events, dancing, children’s activities and so much more all promote education through entertainment.
This event is a celebration of history and traditions, so make plans to attend June 1 through June 3. For more information, visit www.glasowhighlandgames.com, email ghg@glasgow-ky.com, or call 270-651-3141.