In Focus - Discover Scotland: Experience the Best of Scotland - page 617

promptu contests were formalised in the early 19th century when Highland culture was ro-
manticised by Britain's high society.
The traditional roster of events has changed little since those days, typically including
piping and dancing competitions, alongside demonstrations of physical prowess such as
tossing the caber (heaving a tree trunk into the air), throwing the hammer and putting the
stone. Many games also include athletic events such as running and jumping.

Exploring Your Scottish Roots
Many visitors to Scotland take the opportunity to do some detective work on their Scottish ancestry. One of the best
guides is Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry by Kathleen B Cory.
The Scotland's People Centre ( 0131-314 4300; www.scotlandspeoplehub.gov.uk ; 2 Princes St, Ed-
inburgh; 9am-4.30pm Mon-Fri ) provides access to the main records used in Scottish genealogical research -
the Statutory Registers of births, marriages and deaths (1855 to the present), the Old Parish Registers (1533−1854)
and the 10-yearly census returns from 1841 to 1911. Daily search fee is £15.
The Scotland's People Website ( www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk ) allows you to search the records online (pay per
view).

Bagpipes
Highland soldiers were traditionally accompan-
ied into battle by the skirl of the pipes, and the
Scottish Highland bagpipe is unique in being
the only musical instrument ever to be classed
as a weapon of war. The playing of the pipes
was banned - under pain of death - by the Brit-
ish government in 1747 as part of a scheme to
suppress Highland culture in the wake of the Ja-
cobite uprising of 1745. The pipes were revived
when the Highland regiments were drafted into
the British Army towards the end of the 18th
century.

Highland
Games

1 BRAEMAR GATHERING ( CLICK HERE )