Lang may yer lum reek!
(Literally meaning ‘long may your chimney smoke’, this is the best way to wish someone a long and healthy life.)
Whits fur ye’ll no go by ye!
(A Scot’s own special way of saying que sera sera, whatever will be will be.)
Ye just cannae beat the Scottish dialect. I happen to love all things Scottish. That lilting Scottish brogue, the bagpipes, the kilts and Mel Gibson – when he played William Wallace, of course. And right now, my recent obsession with Outlander on Netflix has got me hankering once again after kilts, beautiful ruins tucked in scenic backgrounds and star-crossed love affairs with rugged Scotsmen.
“Scots in kilts? Sure! Plenty of them!’ assures Hector Ingram with a grin. The Treasurer of Selangor St Andrew’s Society (SAAS) is talking about the 6th Kuala Lumpur Highland Games happening today at the Bukit Kiara Polo Field, and of course, he assures me, there’s plenty of Scottish flavour to be showcased on the field.
It’s an incongruous mix – Scottish culture right smack in tropical Kuala Lumpur, but the Highlands Games is undoubtedly Scotland’s biggest cultural export, since well… kilts and Scotch whisky. But I digress. Organised by the SAAS, the Kuala Lumpur Highland Games promises a heady carnival-like extravaganza where brawny men in kilts test their strength in traditional games like caber toss, hammer throw and shot putt, where bagpipes belt out old Scottish favourites like Scotland the Brave, Highland Cathedral and The Bonnie Banks o’ Loch Lomond, an exciting junior rugby tournament with a total of 78 teams participating and the popular Tug of War competition that really gets the crowd screaming.
Seen as a way of celebrating all things Scottish, the Highland Games feature competitions in piping, drumming, heavy athletics as well as all kinds of entertainment and exhibits related to many aspects of the Scottish and Gaelic culture. “There’s something for the whole family to enjoy,” says Ingram, adding that the response for the last five years has been encouraging. “Last year alone, we had around four thousand people pass through the gates!”
Highland Games are as iconically Scottish as bagpipes, kilts and whisky – all of which feature heavily at any gathering. “Especially this one?” I ask slyly, and he responds with another grin.
HISTORY OF THE HIGHLAND GAMES
There’s a lot of historical precedence of how the Highland Games came about, shares Ingram, saying: “Was it 800 or 900 years ago, when Scottish Kings were trying to find the fastest runners to move messages amongst his armies? Was it villagers and clans having tests of strength because that was a non-violent way of sorting out arguments? Who’s the strongest guy? Who can pick up the biggest stone? Who can throw further? Who can throw higher?”
He isn’t wrong in his musings. The long history of this celebration dates back to the time of King Malcolm III when he summoned men to race up the Craig Choinnich overlooking Braemar with the aim of finding the fastest runner in Scotland to be his royal messenger.
There were also thought to have originally been events where the strongest and bravest soldiers in Scotland would put their skills to the test. But these events weren’t only about trials of strength. Musicians and dancers were encouraged to showcase their talents so as to be a great credit to the clan they represented.
According to the Transceltic website, the Ceres Games in Fife, which began in 1314, is thought to be the oldest, continuous Highland Games in Scotland. The Ceres Games honours the brave men who fought in Bannockbum in 1314 which was a major Scottish victory against the English in the first war of Scottish Independence.
The Cowal Highland Gathering held in Dunoon, Scotland annually in August is the largest Highland Games in the world. The Braemar Gathering is often thought to be the best known games and traces its origins back to the time of King Malcolm III (Yes, the same King who was interviewing for the speediest messenger in town!).
Eventually, as people from Scotland moved around the world, Scottish traditions and culture begin to spread far and wide. Societies were formed in Canada, New Zealand, the United States, Australia, and wherever around the globe Scots met and reunited. “Scots get even more Scottish when they move away from Scotland!” admits Ingram, chuckling. “Take us away from our homeland, and suddenly we’ll start organising Highland Games, Burn Poetry Nights, St. Andrew’s Ball and all those kind of things that remind us of home.”
It’s a common belief that Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympics, is said to have witnessed a Highland games held at the Paris Exhibition of 1889 and was so inspired that he adopted hammer throwing, shot putting and pole vaulting for the Olympic Games held seven years later!
Now there are Highland Games held in many places throughout the world. Traditionally, some events have become standard (and crowd pleasers) such as the caber toss, short putt and the Scottish hammer throw. However, these gatherings have added on a whole variety of events, stalls, entertainment, pipes, dancing and all sorts of competition.
Six years ago, the SAAS was inspired by the Jakarta Highland Games to organise the first Highlands Games right here in Kuala Lumpur. “We shared participants with the Jakarta Highlands Games, and brought in renowned strongmen from Scotland to participate in the traditional Scottish games,” recalls Ingram. However, after over three decades, the Jakarta chapter has since shut down, “…and the Kuala Lumpur Highland Games is now the only event of its kind in the whole of Southeast Asia,” he says not without a little pride, adding: “We’re still bringing in participants from Scotland, including the world champion caber tosser Neil Elliot himself for this year’s games!”
INFLUENCING MALAYSIA AND THE WORLD
Showcasing the best of Scotland and keeping the culture alive is really what SAAS is all about. Established in 1887, the SAAS is one of the oldest societies in Malaysia. Membership, says Ingram, comprises Scots, descendants of Scots and people who are interested in Scotland and the Scottish culture. “It’s a little bit of home away from home, so to speak,” he remarks, smiling.
“Scotland has always exported people,” shares Ingram drily. “Engineers, planters, explorers and in almost any part of the world, you’ll probably find a Scot!” There’s quite a big Scottish community here, reveals Ingram, adding: “…but the society isn’t just open to the Scots. Our Friends of Scotland membership is for those who have an interest in Scottish culture or have worked or studied in Scotland.”
The SAAS is a non-profit organisation and is devoted to the promotion of Scottish history and traditions through friendship and the observance as well as celebration of traditional and contemporary Scottish culture. “We just want to bring a little bit of Scotland to wherever we are,” says Ingram.
“Is it true when they say you can take a man out of Scotland, but you can’t take the Scotland out of him?” I tease. “Mostly true,” he replies swiftly with a grin. “Like I said before, the more distance between Scotland and us, the more Scottish we become,” he says, adding: “We think fondly back to what we’re missing – the countryside, the people, and our families. But there are certain things we can transport with us, which makes us identifiably Scottish.”
“Like bagpipes and kilts?” I ask. “Exactly!” he replies, grinning. “You’ll probably see lots of people in kilts when you come over for the Highland Games. There’ll be lots of true Scots out there!”
Enthuses Ingram: “Everybody will be moved by sounds of the bagpipes. If you were to come early at 9 o’clock when the pipe bands are starting and while there’s still a little bit of dew on the grass and the mist on the trees, when you hear those pipes… it’s kind of amazing!” “Does it remind you of home?” I ask. “Oh yes… every time a Scotsman hears the bagpipes, it’s guaranteed to remind him of home!” he replies.
“There’s something in the Scottish spirit,” he continues. “A yearning, a romanticism. And this longing, this sadness, does come out in the music. It’s probably a working-class thing. We always seem to be the underdogs. Music has always been big in Scotland but there’s also a feistiness. We like a good party.” What are the Scots yearning for? “Probably to get out of the cold weather!” he hoots. “My blood’s turned a little too Malaysian,” he admits, shuddering.
There’s a lexicon historically associated with the Scottish character: hardy (the weather), passionate (alcohol), brave (heart), defiant (politics), dour (“That’s what the British says and it isn’t true!” he quips), funny in the face of historical adversity (cue Braveheart). All of this, alongside the hardship endured in the glorious, brutal landscape that is Scotland form the collective consciousness.
“It’s true,” he admits. “We’re a bunch of fun-loving people. We smile a lot, we love poetry and songs, we drink a little too much and dance a little too much. But truth be told, we enjoy a good party!” declares Ingram, grinning.
Are we to expect that in the Highland Games? “Most definitely!” he replies. “It’s a fun celebration of culture, games and camaraderie. Bring your family, enjoy the music, dances and the games. There’s something here for every age.”
Concludes Ingram: “Getting together, sharing good times, having a blether and welcoming others with open arms is really a part of our culture and our DNA. So come on over and be a part of our great big party at the Highland Games. As I said, we love a good party and we know how to throw a great one!”
TRADITIONAL GAMES TO LOOK OUT FOR THE KL HIGHLAND GAMES
Tossing the Caber
The caber toss has come to almost symbolise the Highland games and no gathering anywhere in the world would be complete without it.
In the caber toss, a full-length log, usually made of Scots pine, is stood upright and lifted by the competitor using both hands under the bottom of the caber to rest against their body. The competitor then runs forward, building momentum, before tossing the caber into the air so that it turns end over end with the upper end landing before the end originally held by the competitor follows through and hits the ground.
The aim is for the caber to land in line with the original run. If it’s straight, the toss is said to be in the 12 o'clock position. Competitors are judged on how closely their toss lands to 12 o'clock.
Hammer Throw
The hammer throwing event features a hammer made from a metal ball weighing around 22 lb for men or 16 lb for women, attached to a wooden pole or handle. Participants use the handle to whirl the hammer around their head and then throw it as far as they can.
Weight for Distance
Weight for distance, also known as the weight throw event. The weights are made of metal and have a handle attached by means of a chain. The implement is thrown with one hand using any technique. Usually a spinning technique is employed. The longest throw wins.
Tug Of War
The tug of war is one of the most fiercely fought over competitions at the Highland Games. This involves eight men pulling against another team of eight, coached by an additional member of the team who encourages the team and shouts instructions of technique to ensure they pull their opposite number across the line. Well worth a watch at any Highland Games.
Source : www.scotland.org
6TH KL HIGHLAND GAMES
When: Today (Saturday, Feb 23)
Where: Bukit Kiara Polo Field
Time: 8am to 8pm
Details: Tickets available at the entrance gates.
Adult RM20 and Child RM10