Central Florida Scottish Highland Games 2023: Experience the Greatest Gaelic Games from Across the Sea!
Scotland is on the bucket list of many travel enthusiasts – and for a good reason! It’s a gorgeous, green country rich in castles, culture, and amazing history. Part of that history includes the Scottish Highland Games, a tradition dating all the way back to 2000 BC.1
But why are we, the champions of Florida travel, talking up the competition? Well, believe it or not, the Sunshine State has a super fun Scottish connection! Once a year, you can find yourself transported to windswept highlands, where the melancholy melody of bagpipes drifts across the hills…and no, it doesn’t involve time travel like Outlander. It just requires a trip to the 45th Central Florida Scottish Highland Games!
From athletics of Olympic proportion to beautifully patterned kilts, Celtic cuisine, song, and dance, the Central Florida Scottish Highland Games 2023 are a rollicking two days of Gaelic festivities you won’t want to miss!
This January 14th-15th, you can finally cross Scotland off your bucket list with a trip to Florida. Well, basically.
Central Florida Scottish Highland Games: Honoring Scottish Heritage
The Central Florida Scottish Highland Games aim to honor a centuries-old heritage, giving folks a chance to embrace their past and inspire others with that fantastic Gaelic spirit! This year marks the 45th round of the games, giving the event as long and colored a legacy as Scotland itself. (Almost.)
The games are held in Winter Springs, Florida, with roughly 25,000 people in attendance each year. About half of these participants have Scottish roots. For those lucky enough to possess Scottish ancestry, there are representatives from the different clans who are more than happy to help you explore your unique heritage. But even if you don’t have Scottish blood flowing through your veins, you’re still welcome to be an honorary Scotsperson for the weekend! Try some haggis, fish and chips, enjoy the live entertainment, and explore the wares of costumed vendors.2
For two glorious days, you’ll be transported to the Highlands.
Mind-Boggling Athletics!
One of the most exciting features of the Central Florida Scottish Highland Games (or the ones in Scotland) is the athletic competitions. If you think NFL and NBA games are impressive, just wait until you get a load of these Gaelic goodies! These games include ridiculously difficult feats like the weight for distance, the hammer throw, and the sheaf toss.
However, the events that stand out the most are probably the Braemar stone and caber toss. Both incredibly unique and grueling, these competitions are basically synonymous with the “Scottish Highland Games.”
Those participating in the Braemar stone must throw, or “put,” a stone weighing 22 to 28 pounds. However, participants must be careful to stay within the boundaries of the throwing area; otherwise, they risk a foul. The Braemar stone throw is impressive to watch and makes my arm hurt just thinking about it.
Perhaps the most notable game of all is the caber toss. This is where a person basically launches an entire tree into the air. No, seriously! The caber is a 16 to 22-foot high log, and it weighs anywhere from 100 to 180 pounds! The goal is to lift the caber, flip it, and have it land perfectly perpendicular (a 12:00 o’clock toss). It’s like watching actual, real-life superheroes in stylish kilts!
The Pipes, The Pipes Are Calling
Now, before you call me out for referencing Danny Boy in an article about the Central Florida Scottish Highland Games, let me defend myself by reporting the song is not Irish. The famous ballad was written by an Englishman about Scotland.3 So it works, okay?
While they might not play Danny Boy at the games, you will still hear plenty of pipes calling – bagpipes, that is! Both entire pipe bands and intrepid solo pipers will be battling it out in musical competitions, which for bystanders, is a spectacularly sonorous concert. It takes amazing skill to master this one-of-a-kind woodwind instrument, and the result is a soulful song that resonates with the listener, even long after the notes have died away.
It’s also really fun because you never know what selections will be performed. Pipers might go full traditional or choose to pipe a modern pop song! (Bagpipe cover of a Taylor Swift song? Yes, please!)
Dazzling Dances and Fancy Footwork
In addition to the wonderful music of pipes and drums, visitors to the Central Florida Scottish Highland Games will be treated to another proud piece of Scottish heritage in the form of dance competitions.
There are social Scottish country dances, which are performed in groups, but the most iconic, well-known performances are the highland dances. From the Highland Fling to the Sword Dance and Scottish Lilt, you’ll be marveling at the mastery of each performer.
Each dance is centuries old and tells a compelling story. Both the Highland Fling and the Sword Dance recall the warriors of old, ancient victories and epic deeds of Scottish folklore.4 The Highland Fling was first danced by warriors atop their shield after a victory – but this was almost as perilous as the battle itself, for each shield was adorned with a spike! Today the dance is still performed in one spot with astonishingly precise footwork.
The Sword Dance, also called Ghillie Callum, is probably the best-known of the Highland dances. Performed around two crossed swords, it harkens back to an old legend. It is said Ghillie Callum was a warrior who met an opponent in battle and overtook the enemy’s sword. In his victory, he crossed the two swords upon the ground – the sign of the Cross – then danced over them in joyous triumph.
Scottish Dog Show??
A dog show at the Central Florida Scottish Highland Games might have you thinking it’s a showdown between the Scottish Terrier with the sleekest fur or the fiercest bark, but actually, border collies are the stars here!
Unlike your typical dog show, where pups are led around a ring or through an agility course, these beautiful border collies show off their skills by herding sheep! In fact, these spectacular herding demonstrations not only promote the collies but also show off amazing breeds of sheep, some of which are rarely seen in Florida.
If you love Lassie (or dogs in general), the herding demonstrations are a must-see! (Really, is there anything better than getting to watch adorable animals all afternoon??)
Scrumptious Scones & Shortbread
The tastiest event of the Central Florida Scottish Highland Games, which welcomes all amateur bakers, is the shortbread and scone competition! Try your hand at baking some good buttery shortbread or crumble-in-your-mouth scones to win a trophy! Both of these baked goods are staples in the UK; in fact, shortbread is considered such a necessity it’s not allowed to be taxed.5
Now, that might be my favorite Scottish tradition yet!
Have you been to one of the annual Central Florida Scottish Highland Games? Are you planning to attend this year? What’s your favorite event? Let us know in the comments below!
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