Bagpipes and Braun at the Virginia Scottish Games & Festival

The annual Virginia Scottish Games & Festival started in Alexandria, Virginia in 1974, but have since outgrown the space and moved to the much larger Great Meadow venue in 2007.

Join kilted clansmen and clanswomen in their traditional Highland garb from 30 different clans and step back in time at the Clan Field as they celebrate the heritage and culture of Scotland.

The games and festival includes Scottish pipe and drum bands, living history encampment with period reenactors, Highland and Country dance performances, sheephearding demonstrations, exciting terrier races, and a fiddle competition.

But the highlight of the festival are the Highland athletics.  Top-ranked professional Scottish games athletes including several that attended the World Championships join local competitors join the games with includes the highlight event – the Caber Toss.

The caber resembles a telephone pole made from pine. It’s roughly 20 feet long and tapered slightly at one end. It weighs between 130 and 175 pounds.  The object is simple, lift the caber by cupping the smaller end of the pole in your palms while balancing it against your shoulder.  Then run about 20 yards carrying it vertically and launch it away from you into the air.  If done correctly, a perfect throw flips completely over and land with the top end of the caber nearest to the thrower and the bottom end pointing exactly away, like the face of a clock at 6:00.  Points are reduced for tosses the end up at an angle.

The kids will love jumping on “Nessie,” the giant dragon moon-bounce, along with other children’s activities and games.  Children up to 15 years of age can compete in different athletic events, including foot races, bale tossing, brick throwing, the discus throw, and the mini-caber toss.

Evening musical performances include the guitar folk music of Glasgow-born Alex Beaton and his rich baritone voice.   Also entertaining are the high-energy Glengarry Bhoys, the Celtic-rock band Coyote Run, and the local-based Sterling Swordplayers and their musical comedy act.

A variety of Scottish and Celtic merchandise will also be available for sale along with Scottish food and drink.

Virginia Scottish Games & Festival — 5089 Tavern Road, Great Meadow, Virginia  (map)  Info line – 703-912-1943.

Dates and Hours – Saturday & Sunday, September 4 & 5, 2010.

Tickets – $18.00 or $25.00 for both days. Seniors and active military – $5.00 discount, children 5-12 – $5.00, under 5 are free.  Saturday night concert tickets – $10.00.  Discounted tickets are available by phone.

Parking – $5.00 per car.

Images – Flickr – caber toss, bagpipe player from personal collection – ©2010 – Jon Rochetti