Highland Games & Kilt Competition

A special Thanks to all the US Veterans out there!!! I so appreciate your service and all you've done for our country.


Last weekend I went with a friend to a nearby Highland Games in NC. Here we see all the important flags, those of the US and Scotland. One reason I love Highland Games is they inspire story ideas for me and... I love all the kilts of course. Caber tossing is one of my favorite events. I don't see how these guys pick up and throw the equivalent of a small telephone pole.

How is the caber toss done?
"A long tapered pine pole or log is stood upright and hoisted by the competitor who balances it vertically holding the smaller end in his hands (see photo). Then the competitor runs forward attempting to toss it in such a way that it turns end over end with the upper (larger) end striking the ground first. The smaller end that was originally held by the athlete then hits the ground in the 12 o'clock position measured relative to the direction of the run. If successful, the athlete is said to have turned the caber. Cabers vary greatly in length, weight, taper, and balance, all of which affect the degree of difficulty in making a successful toss. Competitors are judged on how closely their throws approximate the ideal 12 o'clock toss on an imaginary clock. "
~Info from Wikipedia.com

This is another event, the Weight over the Bar. "Also known as weight for height. The athletes attempt to toss a 56 pound (4 stone) weight with an attached handle over a horizontal bar using only one hand. Each athlete is allowed three attempts at each height. Successful clearance of the height allows the athlete to advance into the next round at a greater height. The competition is determined by the highest successful toss with fewest misses being used to break tie scores. " Info from Wikipedia.com


Sheep herding or Herding Dog Trials. This shows the trainer's and dog's skills.


Two live bands, dressed in kilts, played a blend of modern rock and traditional Scottish or Celtic music. Coyote Run (pictured) and The Hooligans.

Kilt Competition
You know how I love men in kilts, right? So here I was at the Games snapping pics of all kinds of unsuspecting men in kilts. I keep their faces and identities hidden. But I think they're used to being stared at and, at times, lusted after. :-) They even have a competition at the Highland Games called Bonny Knees, where men enter and judges decide who has the most attractive knees. Wish I could be a judge! We won't call ours Bonny Knees because I see very few knees here.
Which do you think is the best looking kilt?
1.
2.a & 2b(red)

3.



4.


5


6.

17 comments:

lisekimhorton said...

This is a great post! I've been to Highland Games (Westbury, NY) and try to explain the caber toss to folks, who just stare blankly.

So now I've got a great photo to show, not to mention having the wonderful opportunity to ogle some great kilts. My choice is #4. While #5 came in a close second (his footwear seems more authentic than construction boots, but #4 made me REALLY want to get a peak under that handsome kilt.....)

Thanks for sharing. Aren't the herding dogs amazing? Watching them work is magical!

Donnell Ann Bell said...

Nicole, what a great blog. I think it's sad when a man has better legs than I do, but I would have to say No. 4 did it for me :) Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Great blog reading, Nicole. #4 has my vote! :D

Tamara said...

#6 gets my vote.

Nicole North said...

Lise, yes, I love to watch the dogs. They're so intelligent. The caber toss is a very interesting sport. I love watching it. #4 does look great in his kilt!

Donnell, LOL about the legs. You like 4 also. Cool! He would be flattered.

Gerri, another vote for #4. This guy doesn't know how popular he is. :-)

Thanks for stopping by, ladies!

Holly Greenfield said...

I have to vote for #6. I love the colors. Great post, Nicole!

Nicole North said...

Tamara, #6 is hot too. I think I'll vote for him myself. ;-) Of course, I would vote for the guy in the band, but he isn't in this competition.

Nicole North said...

Hi Holly, yes, those are nice colors. He was on the move fast and I almost didn't get his pic.

Marie-Claude Bourque said...

nb 6!
My mother-in-law says it's all in the calf. Bean pole types look horrible in kilts. :)

Love the Higland games. Hubby tried to demonstrate the caber toss to me while on a stroll on a beach once and proceed to throw is back out LOL. Served him well for showing off.

Gale Stanley said...

Great post Nicole! I never heard of caber tossing before. I can't imagine how they do it either.
BTW, #6 does it for me. Gail

Nicole North said...

Marie-Claude, another vote for # 6 hmm? Yes, I do like to see those nice man calves. I'm sorry to hear your hubby hurt his back tossing a caber. Poor guy. Give him some lovin's :-)

Gail, ooh #6 is so popular! You should watch the caber toss sometime.

Thanks for visiting!

Valerie Everhart said...

There is something to be said about a man in a kilt wearing boots and just enough sock to hold a dagger. *lust*

Terri Brisbin said...

#4.....er....#5.....er.....#6....

Actually it is the guy's forearms in #4 that makes it really appealing to me...However, the guy's bum in #6 is definitely the best!

Should have said 'shallow alert' before I wrote that, huh?

Terri

www.terribrisbin.com

Elen Grey said...

Dare I say it? No. 6. He has a great butt. Good calf definition and the veins in his arms suggests some business there, too. And, he's wearing some sort of bracelet on his right wrist that is doing it for me. lol

No. 5 Again, good calf definition and his hand suggests some strength.

Just sayin'.

Carol Ericson said...

We have Highland Games somewhere out here in So Cal, if you can believe that! I have to go with Number 4 - like those sleeves rolled up to reveal the forearms...

Nicole North said...

Valerie, I agree. That dagger is a sexy, dangerous touch.;-)

Terri, LOL! Yes, you can vote 3 times if you want.

Elen, I'm in agreement about #6. :-)

Carol, absolutely. I think Highland Games are performed almost everywhere there could possibly be someone of Scottish descent. :-) #4 does have nice forearms.

Thanks for commenting!!

Eliza Knight said...

How fun Nicole!!!! I wonder if they have anything like that in MD? That is too cool!

I'm going with number 6 :) *wiggling eyebrows* check out his butt!