[VIDEO] The Taynuilt Highland Games & Oban Pipe Band

THE SWORD DANCE AT THE HIGHLAND GAMES.

“Highland Games originated in Scotland over a thousand years ago under the sponsorship of Kings and Clan Chiefs, for the purpose of selecting and recruiting staff for their entourage. The fastest men were used for delivering orders in battle, the distance runners for rallying the clans and the strongest men for bodyguards. Dancers were taken into the Chief’s household for entrainment as were pipers. The dancers and pipers composed tunes and dances to extol the virtues and victories of the Chief. Neighbouring clans, when at peace, would match their best in competition: to win was to honour the clan thereby increasing its standing in the area. The first sporting contest between the Scots and English was held when an envoy … Read more