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Guest
Columnist: Cornelia Amiri *Note:
Thumbnail photos may be viewed in its larger version. Big, brawny men in kilts, high stepping, tartan clad dancers, the rich, gripping drones of highland bagpipes, and the rowdy tattoo of the drums, I could have sworn I was in Scotland. Surprisingly, these distinctive sights and sounds were found in Texas at the Houston Highland games May 15-16, 2005.Back in a wilder Scotland, woad painted warriors with thick hair, bleached and stiffened from lime wash like a hedge hog’s coat, stood before their gold torqued chief and fellow tribesmen in a test of strength and skill. The chief chose the best and strongest warriors based on their performance in the games. These ancient trails are honored by the modern day Highland Games held in Houston, Texas and throughout the world.
A main feat is the weight throw. There are two, one for height, the second
for distance. With one foot forward the athletes garbed in kilts and tank tops,
pivot, spin, and release the weight across the field. Each throw is measured and
recorded. For height, again the contestants in kilts step forward on one foot,
pivot into a spin, then release the heavy weight, this time high up in the azure
sky above the cross bar. The bar is raised after each round. It’s amazing how
far and high those heavy weights can fly from the Weight Throw Height
One of the most spectacular events of the Highland Games is the cabor toss. The caber (a 150 lb wood pole, 18 feet long, 9 inches thick at one end, and tapering to 5 inches at the other) is ceremoniously carried to the field by all the contestants together as they follow the band of bagpipers. Thrown not for distance but for style, the athlete faces the 12 o’clock position on the field while vertically resting the caber against his shoulder. Clasping his arms around it, he lifts it up off the ground, and with a quick flick, moves his hands under the narrow end. Running forward, he stops at the 6 o' clock position and heaves the pole upward. When the large end hits the ground, it falls over with the narrow end away from the athlete, pointing at the 12 o'clock position or as close as possible. These awe-inspiring feats are a must see for any woman who likes men in kilts. In truth . . . all women. Now we get to the part which holds all the beauty of a ballet, the Sheep Dog demonstrations. At his master’s whistle the sheltie trots toward the sheep and with quick yet graceful moves rounds up the stragglers and controls the large herd. Sheepdogs have the "eye", an ability to hold and control sheep with only the force of their fixed stare. Sheepdog trails evolved in Britain the same way the rodeos evolved in the U.S. In October 1873, in a field in South Wales, shepherds met for the first time to test the skills of their Border Collies in gathering, driving, and penning sheep. The same trial has been running for over 100 years. Celtic art is a huge part of the Houston Highland games. As in ancient days, vendors come from near and far to show and sell unique art, crafts, and wares. You can purchase artwork such as the stunning outdoor art of the Texas State Artist of 2004, Sam Caldwell from Wildlife Graphics (www.samcaldwell.com). Also, you will find exceptional wood art at Signs of Spirit, which include original carved Celtic crosses, peace signs, pentacles, and much more. The artist, Coop, says of his work, "All these signs come to me and they’re all positive."
One of the oldest forms of art with a rich Celtic tradition is storytelling.
Charles and Carolyn Bruce were there personally signing the books they have
written about Robert de Bruce: "Rebel King, book one, Hammer of the
Scots", and book two, "The Har’ships". This talented, charming
couple, members of Clan Bruce, write historical fiction, which sizzles with
excitement. As for me, Celtic/Romance author, Cornelia Amiri, I was next to the
Bruce’s booth signing my three novels, "The Fox Prince, Danger Is
Sweet," and "One Heart One Way." Set in the dark ages, the fast Cornelia Amiri - the Celtic Romance Queen!
The absolute best part of any Celtic Festival is the music. Musicians
featured at the Houston Highland games included the Bayou City Pipes and Drums
who played reverberating highland music throughout the festival. Ed Miller with
his deep, melodic romantic voice sang Scottish folk tunes that carried me away
to the mist covered hills. But Tartanic transformed the traditional highland
sounds of pipes and drums into fun, rowdy, blood-rushing music. You don’t want
to miss that band. Tartanic and dancers (visitors) On Sunday evening the games came to a close. I bid goodbye to my fellow vendors and headed back down the Katy Freeway. From the highlands to the lowlands, literally the swamp lands, as anyone familiar with Houston will tell you. But next year, I’ll visit a bit of Scotland again at the 2006 games. I cannae wait.
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