The Games
Taken from the 40th annual commemorative program.

It began as “The Delaware Highland Gathering”, and now “The Colonial Highland Gathering”. But among the long-term loyalists, the event today is known simply as “The Games”.... and that’s what it is all about, really: the competitions for best athlete, best dancer, best drummer, best drum major, best piper, best pipe band.

The philosophy of these Games has always been that the competition is only as good as the judges. And, some impressive judges have participated over the years.

Highland Dancing contests were judged by some of the best including James MacGregor Jamieson, holder of three championships and one of America’s best known Highland Dancers who danced professionally in the Broadway productions of Oklahoma and Brigadoon, at the White House and in numerous television productions. In 1964, the famous James MacKenzie —three-time winner of the World Championship in Scottish Dancing—judged the competition.

Piping Judges included Lt. Col. Neill Ramsay, widely known as one of the foremost piping judges in the U.S., Seumas MacNeill, Joint Co-Principal of the College of Piping, Glasgow, Scotland and the Director of Piping at Gaelic College, Nova Scotia, and John MacFadyen, one of the world’s leading piobaireachd players, and the only player to hold the four major piobaireachd trophies at one time. The result, after 40 years of excellent competitors and top-notch judges, is a Gathering well-known and well-respected for the quality of its competitions.

The Scottish Games

Historians over the years have traced the origins and development of the ancient Greek Olympic Games and such events as the famous Roman Festivals. It appears, however, that the evolution of the Scottish Highland Gatherings has been lost in the mists of antiquity — quite outshone by tales of the ancient Celts and the vivid stories of clan warfare.

Where and when did the gatherings begin and why? It may be said that the main reason for public support always has been the Gatherings’ great entertainment value. It can also be noted that the chieftains and kings who sponsored the first Gatherings may have had other motives such as selecting the fittest men for the most important posts.

To King Malcolm Canmore (Malcolm of the Big Head), 1057-1093, goes the credit for popularizing the Sword Dance and also for organizing one of the first hill races. This latter event took place on the Braes of Mar when Malcolm had need of the services of a fast messenger. (In Scots vernacular a “brae” is a steep incline). He quickly organized a Gathering to find the most suitable person. This historic occasion has since been recognized as the Braemar Gathering. Gatherings are still held annually at Braemar and are usually attended by the British royal family.

The Jacobite Rebellion of 1745 and the failure of Bonnie Prince Charlie to succeed to the throne of Britain led, in 1748, to the banning of the tartan and the break-up of the old clan form of government. This savage act of proscription was finally repealed in 1782. About this time it was becoming apparent to responsible Scots that if Scottish culture were not to become extinct, measures would have to be taken to preserve the old dances, music and language. Various local and national societies included this idea among their aims and Highland Societies were formed.

In 1781 the first Society Gathering took place at Falkirk and the Inverness Gathering followed in 1788. From their combined efforts emerged the inspiring, soul-stirring spectacle we know today as a Highland Gathering.

This never-dying pride in tradition has been evidenced in America over the past hundred years through the medium of Scottish Games. They have been held in places as far distant as California and Canada. By presenting the Highland Gathering today, we Americans of Scottish lineage hope to forge yet another link of friendship between our two countries and add to the further enjoyment of our joint heritage.

Reprinted from Delaware Highland Gathering Program, Aug. 3, 1963