Skye Highland Games
August 8, 2007
Today we visited the Skye Highland Games in Portree. The weather was lovely - all dry, sunshine and temperatures of about 20C. The games are held on a place called “The Lump”, which is located left of the hospital of Portree. The area is basically a natural amphitheater, where audience can gather around a large circular field where all the action takes place. The arena is surrounded by a path, which allows you to walk around the field and look at things from different angles. Close to the entrance several booths were selling chips and drinks.
When we arrived there was some rope pulling going on, some big guys were putting the stone and to the left there was a Highland dancing contest. Also towards the back there was some long jumping.
We walked about the arena and to me the Highland dancing looked extremely strenuous. The ladies were dancing around two swords laid down in a “+” shape, all to the tunes of bagpipe. The objective of the dance appeared to be not to touch the swords and place the feet in the quadrants created by the swords.
On several sides of The Lump you have magnificent views over Portree and its little harbor. After doing one round we decided to head back and focus on our more day-to-day tasks (going to the Co-Op). As we were directed to a car park near the Harbro shop we also had a bit of a walk ahead.
Comments
Got something to say?
-
Latest music...
Hair (1968, Original Broadway recording). Some naughty lyrics for that time!!
An Rathad a Bhatarsaigh, by the Vatersay Boys