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LET us now pass to the
hefty feats of these brawny Highlanders.
It gives us some idea how
this meeting grew, if we recollect that in 1832 the events were five in
number, and the prize-money £5. In 1923 they had fifty-six events and
£185. Comparing this with English Sports such as, for instance, Grasmere,
of which a comprehensive history exists, written by one of the
collaborators of this volume, we find their prize-money is £250, but there
are only about twelve events.
The competitors at Braemar
go in for putting the stone, of 28 lb. (without any hop), throwing the
hammer of 14, 16, or 22 lb., formerly with a 3 feet handle, later
increased to 4 feet 2 inches, tossing the caber, by some considered the
most characteristic and picturesque contest of them all, flat races,
varying in distance from 700 to 2,000 yards, bagpipe music (introduced in
1853), sword-dancing and others of various sorts, wrestling, a fell race,
length of service competition, the reading and translating of Gaelic, high
leaping, long leap, sack race, hurdle 'race, and vaulting, which started
in 1895.
Taking the events seriatim,
the distance the stone has been put varies from 25 feet in 1838 by J.
McHardy, to 32 feet 11 inches by A. A. Cameron, in 1902. The world's
record is 51 feet for the 16 lb.
Prizes are given in the
caber events more for general style than distance, which is not recorded.
The athlete has to turn the huge plaything completely over before he
qualifies, in such a way that the small end by which he held it to start
is farthest from him at the finish. We treat with the possible origin of
this pastime elsewhere.
Throwing the hammer of 14
lb. shows us Peter McHardy in 1838 with 87 feet and John Cutts in 1840
with 89 feet 2 inches to their credit. With 16 lb. short handle, Geo.
Davidson, 1881, 99 feet 4 inches; with long handle, A. A. Cameron, 1902,
117 feet 1o inches. The world's record is 189 feet 6 inches.
The fell race was from
Braemar Castle Park to the top of Craig Choinnich, for the medal, distance
in 1842, 1,384 yards, time four minutes, by James Cutts. This race, as
tending to shorten life or at any rate seriously affect the constitution
of the competitors, was stopped by Queen Victoria.
Perhaps the most noted
all-round athlete was Donald Dinnie, of whom a fuller account appears in
another portion of this work. He put the 28 lb, stone 31 feet in 1867;
threw the 16 lb. hammer 92 feet 4 inches in 1865; the 22 lb. hammer 84
feet g inches; leapt 5 feet 41 inches in the high jump, and 17 feet 11
inches in the broad jump, besides being a flat and hurdle race winner on
numerous occasions.
Alexander Robertson, of
Glenisla, was also an all-round man; his 16 lb. hammer went go feet 7
inches; he was second at the hurdles and first in the half-mile.
Up to 1906, an extra
interest was added to the hurdle race, because it finished through the
River Dee!
Duncan Calder was the first
to win the piping, in 1853, the usual items being a march, strathspey, and
reel.
For the dancing, we find
the Highland Fling, Reel of Tulloch, and Seaun Truibhas.
A well-known Writer to the
Signet in Edinburgh, whom I had the pleasure to meet at Braemar, tells me
that Highland dancing is a principal, if not the chief feature of this
historic gathering, and this indeed is apparent from a glance at the
programme. Out of thirty events, no less than fourteen are dancing in some
one or other of its forms. We find competitions for solos as well as in
groups young and old. "But," asks my friend, "is anyone really old when
dancing in the Highlands is concerned?" Go to the Games and just look at
those standing about the platform. Whom do you see? A fine hale and hearty
Highlander, like James Michie, one of the judges for the modern Highland
steps. Who, to look at him, with his erect carriage, clear complexion and
eye, would think that he was over seventy-six years of age? Go later in
the day to the local ball. Who are there taking their places in the centre
of the floor, when the pipes strike up with the tullochgorm, but the
Lamonts, the Mackintoshes, the McHardys, and such like, with the children
of some of them (all keen little dancers themselves, remember) looking on
or forming up in groups by themselves and dancing alongside? Then ask
yourself: Is dancing the perquisite of youth? and you will be convinced
that, while it may be so in some parts of the country farther south, it is
not so here at all events. And for a very good reason, too, for when in
Aberdeenshire one is in the very home of dancing in the British Isles,
whether it be modern or Highland. Why is it? It was one of the Skinner
family, the well-known dancing teachers in Aberdeen, who asked this
question a hundred years ago. Why should fashionable people from London
come to Aberdeen to learn their steps? He shrewdly surmised that it must
have paid them to incur all this expense to do so. So we gather from the
records in Badminton.
When the Royal Society was
formed (our authority is the Minutes) dancing was at an early date made a
feature and good prizes offered.
At the frequent local
balls, held not only practically in every parish during the winter, but
also during the summer months, the modern dances naturally enough take
place. The waltz has always held its own, and it is real waltzing when
done in competitions, though as done in the south, the foxtrot influence
tells against it.
But surely no ball is
complete without its good old traditional "Grand March." Those who saw it
in 1926 as a prelude to general dancing at the Society's Ball in the
Auchindryne Hall, will not forget its stateliness and quietness (but for
the skirl of the pipes hailing from the lands of Balmoral and Mar) of the
movements of the dancers round the room with the pipers marching before.
Then came the reels, the tullochgorms, strathspeys and Highland reels,
followed by a few foxtrots (how can you exclude this?), then back again to
something Highland, e.g., the "Schottische." One saw in it, the stately
figure of Mr. Cumming, a Braemar veteran, who must be over eighty now,
moving through the maze of dances as if to the manner born. No excitement
or distress-for one must never forget that the Highlander always dances
with a dignified reserve, well within his stride, so to speak.
He does not lift his arms
and hands higher than his head, or shout or clap his hands except at the
appointed times. Through ignorance of the rules in this respect, so much
of what looks like Highland reels is spoilt by southerners making it as if
it were a wild mad romp. The Highlander does not do it thus, and he does
not like seeing it done so by others at a ball. Old country dances like
"The Flowers of Edinburgh," "Strip the willow," and "Petronella" long held
place in these gatherings and are coming back to their own again.
Naturally these native
dances supply the talent shown in the flings and reels on the platform in
the centre of the ring, before the King and Queen at the great annual
festival of the games. Of late years, however, there has been, we think, a
tendency to exploit the occasion by the influx of professional dancers
from the southern towns. This is a pity, but perhaps it will correct
itself in a few years, because there are evidences of a young generation
of Highland dancers in the parishes of Crathie and Braemar growing up, who
are quite as keen as their progenitors in acquiring the steps, and the
Society is evidently confining its events more to local talent, and the
encouragement of teaching of dancing which they are now giving to
these young aspirants promises well for the future.
Highland dancing on the
platform, as an exhibition, is best performed by fully grown men, and as
explained above, they certainly keep it up to a considerable age, to their
own evident enjoyment and the benefit of their health. Boys and girls
shine best in the ballroom (unless under fourteen).
Where can you see smarter
or more really effective Highland dancing than in the quiet, restrained
style of the Aberdeenshire girls at their ordinary local dances? Having
been trained almost from infancy by their parents in the foundation steps,
they take to it naturally when they grow up, while their young men
partners throw themselves with zest into the flings and steps, so as to
accompany them in the small, almost invisible steps they take with very
little body movement.
But when all is said and
done, they invariably leave you with the gratifying impression that, quiet
and restrained as they may appear, they are, one and all, " dancing " in
the highest sense of the word, and long may they so continue.
"Revenons à nos moutons,"
as Sir Walter would say.
It would occupy too much
space to enumerate all the distinguished men who have competed at Braemar
: we must always, however, remember "C. D." and his father, W. McCombie
Smith, a great athlete and writer; Alexander Mackintosh, of whom a fuller
account will be found elsewhere in this volume, with his portrait and some
of the prizes he won (his best feat was tossing the caber, and he won
prizes for fifty years); James Michie for fifteen years; and Peter Cameron
of Lumphanan, who jumped 5 feet 7 inches in his kilt, and did a broad jump
of 19 feet 6 inches.
The Duke of Fife's butler,
John Gruer, Inverey, threw the 16 lb, hammer 87 feet 8 inches, and was
also a well-known competitor at Stamford Bridge.
George Davidson, Drumoak,
and Kenneth Macrae, Nairn, were famous in the heavy competitions. Mr. A.
G. Cumming also stands out, having been a contestant or a judge at this
gathering for the years since 1880. He kept on winning prizes year after
year for the stone, hammer, caber, etc.
At Balmoral in 1890
appeared D. A. M. Ross of Philadelphia, who put the shot of 28 lb. 30 feet
9 inches.
Vaulting was introduced in
1895, the best feat being that of John Mackenzie, of Glasgow, who did 11
feet 2 inches in 1906. He also threw the 16 lb. hammer 86 feet; 28 lb.
stone, 28 feet 2 inches; his long leap was 19 feet 9 inches, and he won
prizes for running, dancing and wrestling.
Such splendid accounts
appear in the Press every year after these games that we hesitate to offer
anything in conclusion on the last time the Gathering was held. But so
great was the concourse and the general tone of the proceedings that the
occasion calls for comment.
The weather was everything
that could possibly be desired: small wonder, then, that upwards of twenty
thousand spectators assembled at Princess Royal Park for the centenary so
universally appreciated.
The various clansmen first
of all assembled behind the Invercauld Arms Hotel, close to the historic
spot where the standard was raised in 1715 and every soul was stirred to
its depths by the bright equipment and martial bearing of the descendants
of those mighty men of valour who met there in the days of King George I.
At noon the procession
started for the Park. First came the Balmoral Highlanders with their
Lochaber axes, in command of Major D. W. A. Mackenzie, D.S.O., M.C. The
pipers, under Pipe-Major Forsyth, the King's piper, played the "Cock of
the North," and afterwards "Highland Rorie." The standard-bearer was Mr.
James Abercrombie, head keeper and stalker. The badge was of thistle and
royal oak, and the tartan the Royal Stuart.
Next came the Duffs, with
Mr. William Mackintosh at their head, carrying pikes, to the strains of
"The 79th's Farewell to Gibraltar." The standardbearer was Mr. Charles
Grant, and the badge of holly.
Then followed the
Invercauld men in Farquharson tartan, under Colonel Gregor, and the
standards borne by Messrs. Duncan Dewar and Alexander Mackintosh. With
claymores held aloft, their badge was of fir, and the music that of "The
Invercauld March."
During all this, no time is
being lost in the athletic part of the meeting, and the various events
continue amongst the competitors with the greatest possible punctuality as
the items are tabulated to occur.
A novelty this year was the
inclusion in the parade of the Australian Ladies' pipe band by special
command, and well indeed did they deserve the cheers that greeted their
appearance, so many thousands of miles away from their homes.
Attention is naturally
about this time focussed upon the arrival of Royalty, and all eyes turn
with loyal expectation to the tasteful pavilion that will presently
welcome its distinguished occupants. The Royal Arms, heather chains, rowan
berries and evergreens, festooning the erection under fluttering flags,
all combine to beautify the scene and deck the arena in a manner fitting
for the Monarch it will soon contain.
Even now, as we wait, there
is a stir at the entrance, and though not the Royal Party, a pleasant
diversion was caused by the arrival of a carriage containing Mrs.
Farquharson and her daughter, Mrs. Robin d'Erlanger. Premature cheers gave
way to amusement when it was seen that a mistake had been made.
All the notable
personalities arrive before three o'clock, and everyone is waiting for His
Majesty the King. Meanwhile arrives the party from Mar Lodge, including
Prince and Princess Arthur of Connaught, Lord and Lady Maud Carnegie, the
Countess of Londesborough, and Major Alexander.
And now appeared the two
scarlet-coated outriders who precede the Royal carriage, drawn by four
perfectly magnificent grey horses. Tremendous cheers from every one of
probably twenty thousand throats and the sounding of hundreds of
motor-horns, provided such a demonstration of faithful loyalty as can only
be accorded to a sovereign of the personal prestige and popularity of our
noble King, George V.
The Marquis of Aberdeen, Lord-Lieutenant of the County, Colonel
Farquharson, and Captain Mackintosh receive the Royal party, who walk up
the gentle green slope to the pavilion, and there witness the feats of the
brawny athletes and listen to the pipers in the midst. In attendance on
their Majesties were Lord Claud Hamilton, Lady Bertha Dawkins, Sir John
Gilmour, General Sir William Peyton, and Miss Agnes Keyser, for so many
years closely associated with the intimate inner life of the Royal
Household. It was noted with great regret that Her Royal Highness the
Princess Royal was unable to be present, but as the foreword to this
volume comes from her ever kindly and gracious hand, we are assured that
her interest in the Gathering continues as heretofore.
His Majesty then took the
salute of the Highlanders as they marched past, and the galvanizing
spectacle this ceremony provides will never be forgotten by the thousands
of His Majesty's subjects who were fortunate enough to witness it.
Presentations follow
through the afternoon, and include the Marquis and Marchioness of Huntly,
the Baroness Bentinck, Lady Burnett of Leys, Mr. C. M. Barclay-Harvey, M.P.,
and his wife, Mr. John Gauld, Chief Constable of Aberdeenshire, and Mr.
Seton-Gordon, the well-known naturalist, author, and judge of piping, with
whom His Majesty had a long conversation. It is said Mr. Seton-Gordon
accomplished a walk of forty miles on this occasion, coming as he did with
Captain WolrigeGordon, from Kyle of Lochalsh, by way of the Cairngorms,
and over Ben Macdhui, to the Games and back again.
With Captain William
Mackintosh His Majesty had also a long conversation, who on this occasion
appeared for the last time at the head of the Duff Highlanders, owing to
his imminent retirement from the office of Commissioner to the Fife
estates. He had marched past three sovereigns, and bade farewell to his
clansmen at the close of the day's proceedings. In his concluding remarks
he assured them that the Princess Royal every year complimented them on
their splendid turn-out at the Gathering.
The heat of the day gave a
good deal of work to the detachment of local nurses and Boy Scouts, and
numerous cases of injuries to the eyes were dealt with, caused by the
emission of petrol vapour from motors. Ladies fainting from the heat were
promptly restored.
Appended is the list of
prize-winners :
BRAEMAR GAMES WINNERS, 1926
Bagpipe Music. -
Piobaireachd - 1, Pipe-Major Ross; 2, P.M. Reid; 3, P.M. M'Lellan; 4, P.M.
W. M'Donald.
Heavy Stone (Society) - 1,
D. K. Michie, 25 feet 2 inches; 2, J. Davidson, 24 feet 6½ inches; 3, Ian
Grant; 4, F. Grassick; Strathspeys and Reels (open) - 1, P.M. M'Lennan; 2,
P.M. Ross; 3, P.M. M'Donald; 4, P.M. Reid. Throwing 16 lb. Hammer
(Society) - 1, J. Davidson, 100 feet 11 inches; 2, J. Kennedy, 99 feet 4
inches; 3, J. Gilbert; 4, Ian Grant. HalfMile Race (open) - 1, B. Smith;
2, R. Bennet; 3, J. Drummond; 4, J. Edward. Tossing Caber (Society) - 1,
F. Grassick; 2, D. K. Michie and Ian Grant (equal); 3, J. Davidson.
Putting 16 lb. Ball (open)
- 1, R. Starkey, 40 feet 9 inches; 2, M. Michie, 39 feet 8 inches; 3, J.
Graham; 4, J. Maitland. Throwing 16 lb. Hammer (open) - 1, J. Maitland,
112 feet 10 inches; 2, R. Starkey, 105 feet 10 inches; 3, G. Clark, 104
feet 1 inch; 4, W. W. Ferguson, 101 feet 2 inches. Sword Dance - 1, S.
Black; 2, J. J. M'Kenzie; 3, J. Beattie; 4, R. Cowan. Putting Stone (28
lb.) - 1, R. Starkey, 28 feet; 2, J. Graham, 27 feet 5 inches; 3, J.
Nicholson, 27 feet 1 inch; 4, M. Michie, 26 feet 91 inches. High Leap - 1,
J. Edwards, 5 feet 6 inches; 2, W. Lenie, 5 feet 5 inches; 3, G. Aitken;
4, J. Gilbert. Highland Reel (open) - 1, R. Cuthbertson; 2, S. Black; 3,
J. L. M'Kenzie; 4, C. J. Milligan. 200 yards Race - 1, J. Edwards, 22
seconds; 2, G. Taylor; 3, R. Bennet; 4, J. Drummond. Throwing 28 lb.
Weight - 1, J. Maitland, 62 feet 8 inches; 2, R. Starkey, 61 feet 9 1/2
inches; 3, W. W. Ferguson; 4, J. Graham, 55 feet 6 inches. Vaulting with
Pole-r, J. Cameron and A. Sinclair (equal), 10 feet 3 inches; 3, D.
Tulloch and A. Lawson (equal), 10 feet 1 inch.
Dancing Highland Fling - 1,
R. Cuthbertson; 2, J. L. M'Kenzie; 3, S. Black; 4, J. A. Gordon. Tossing
Caber - 1, J. Nicholson; 2, R. Starkey; 3, Maitland and Mitchie (equal).
Bagpipe Music-Marches - 1, P.M. Reid; 2, P.M. M'Lennan; 3, P.M. Ross; 4,
P.M. M'Donald. Throwing the Hammer (22 lb.) - 1, J. Maitland, 90 feet 6
inches; 2, R. Starkey, 83 feet 7 inches; 3, G. Clark, 83 feet 4 inches; 4,
W. W. Ferguson. Hop, Step, and Leap - 1, J. Edwards, 41 feet 2 inches; 2,
W. Lenie, 41 feet; 3, Hector; 4, Cruickshank. Dancing, Hulachan - 1,
Cutlibertson; 2, S. Black; 3, J. L. M'Kenzie; 4, J. Beattie. QuarterMile
Race (local and society) - 1, W. Gray; 2, W. Croll; 3, R. Milne; 4, J.
Gilbert. Throwing 56lb. Weight 1, J. Maitland, 32 feet 1 inch; 2, W.
Ferguson, 31 feet 3 inches; 3, R. Starkey; 4, J. Nicholson. Two Miles Race
- 1, B. Smith; 2, R. Bennet; 3, F. Tate; 4, Hector. Dancing, Seann
Trubhais - 1, J. L. M'Kenzie; 2, Cuthbertson; 3, S. Black; 4, Cowan.
Wrestling (Cumberland
style) - 1, J. Nicholson; 2, R. Starkey; 3, G. Clark; 4, Ian Grant.
Clansmen's Race (over 55 years) - 1, J. Duncan; 2, G. Beddie; 3, D. Grant;
4, C. M'Intosh. Best Dressed Highlander - 1, W. Collie; 2, W. Duncan.
Oldest Clansman on Parade - Arthur Grant, 76 years. Length of Service -
John Lamond, 40 years.
- Dundee Courier and
Advertiser, 10th Sept., 1926.
NOTE re LOCHABER AXES
It is on record that the
Town Guard of Edinburgh were, until a late period, armed with this weapon
when on police-duty. There was a hook at the back of the axe, which the
ancient Highlanders used to assist them to climb over walls, fixing the
hook upon them and raising themselves by the handle. The axe, which was
also much used by the natives of Ireland, is supposed to have been
introduced into both countries from Scandinavia. |
