Lochaber Highland Games at Ft. William
Fabulous! We all worked together the last few days and managed to get our ducks in a row and freed up the day in Fort William. For the last two days we had been hearing of the highland games to take place here, and so with planning and serendipity both playing roles, we spent our morning and some of the afternoon enjoying the local games in town. On top of it all, the sun shone down all day for the audience and competitors alike; pipers, dancers and all kinds of sports participants appreciated the sunny skies and views of Ban Nevis in all its glory.
When asked what my favorite event was, I was hard pressed to decide between the caber toss and Scots hammer throw; or was it between the highland dancing and junior piping competition? Perhaps the tug-of-war or Cow Hill race; haggis hurling maybe?…hmmm. I settled for the character actors in the traditional dress of the 17th-18th centuries. Tartan kilts and leather belts, long hair and beards flowing, they wielded Lochaber axes and swords in mock battle with each other and anyone else available (including the spectators).
More modern versions of highland dress were seen about the field; kilts were standard attire, but some preferred them with working or hiking boots and T-shirts on top. Even the smallest members of the community wore kilts, miniature highlanders who ran in the “sweetie race” – under nine-years-old, the reward being a bag of sweeties at the end. What incentive! You should have seen them run!
The afternoon was spent in various ways: most chose to relax on the ship as she navigated along the next section of the canal to Laggan. Others chose to spend the afternoon in a more athletic fashion and walked or biked part-way. In the end, at Laggan, kayaks were ready for the intrepid folk who spent an evening hour on the canal when boat traffic had come to a halt (as it does at 5:30 pm every day), and paddled “Laggan Avenue,” a beautiful section of man-made canal.
Those with still yet a bit of energy left visited the floating pub next door, “The Eagle,” a barge converted into a pub for a final pint or dram before calling it a day.
Sweet dreams!
