Scottish Traditions

Bagpipes

Bagpipes are known to have been played in Scotland in the 14th century and current form of the instrument came into being in the 17th century when a third drone was added.

Bagpipes are a class of musical instrument, aero phones using enclosed reeds fed from a constant reservoir of air in the form of a bag. It is composed with bag and many pipes.

The most common method of supplying air to the bag is by blowing into a blowpipe, or blowstick. In some pipes the player must cover the tip of the blowpipe with his tongue while inhaling, but modern blowpipes are usually fitted with a non-return valve which eliminates this need. There is too a chanter, the melody pipe, played by one or two hands.

Highland Games

Highland Games are one of the great spectacles of Scotland where athletes, musicians and dancers come together to compete for prizes and honors. Most Highland Games feature Scottish country dancing and piping competitions as well as foot races and, very often, cycle races.

Competition takes place across all age groups from 6 to 60. Perhaps the most popular element of a Highland Games is the heavy events like tossing the caber and throwing the hammer where strong men compete against each other in spectacular trials of strength. Highland Games are held annually in many Scottish towns and villages. A number of Great Scotland members are venues for particularly well known Games.

Kilts

The Scots have worn kilts for centuries but today's kilts look little like those worn by our ancestors. Today Scotsmen wear kilts in place of trousers, but for our ancestors the kilt covered their whole body from their knees to their shoulders.

The woollen cloth of the kilt would be belted at the waist and then wrapped around their torso and fastened at the left shoulder. This left the right arm free for carrying a sword. For our ancestors the kilt was a warm, loose garment that allowed freedom of movement and could also serve as a blanket when sleeping. If Highlanders were sleeping outdoors, it was common for them to dip their kilt in water before going to sleep. The wool in the kilt would swell with moisture making it wind proof while retaining body heat.

The End