SOMETHING DIFFERENT | Highland Gathering to host unusual Scottish themed athletics events
Unusual, Scottish
themed athletics will be one of the highlights at the 10th Fort Nottingham
Highland Gathering which joyously returns to the KZN Midlands after a break of
five years, on Saturday 10 September.
The core focus is as always the various Highland Games showcasing brute strength and stamina: tossing the caber; tug-o’-war, walk the weight, the kilted mile; hammer throw; weight over the bar and stone put.
Victor Muhlenbeck, one of the organisers, explains some of the more popular Highland Games, and what they involve.
Tossing the Caber:
Tossing the Caber is not a game for the inexperienced or feint hearted. The
pole or “Caber” weighs 25 kilograms and reaching 6 metres into the sky. Easy on
the ground, but with a high centre of gravity that makes the weak squeak, it
takes much concentration to hold and then to throw and turn in its full length,
a pole longer than the average minibus and probably more dangerous.
A run is taken – with the athlete straining under the weight of an enormous caber, and from top speed, the athlete comes to a dead stop. At that crucial instant the caber leaves his shoulder and with every fibre of his being, he hoists the tapered end in his cupped hands and hurls it upward with all his might.
It is easy to see why it is the crowd’s favourite. No other event requires more skill and concentration, yet when mastered, can be done with consummate ease.
Carrying the weight:
Weighing in at 75
kilograms and solid granite, circular and clumsy, this event requires the
contestant to carry the “Lorne Rock” as it has affectionately been called over
as far a tight circular route as possible within the two-minute limitation. The
current record stands on 228 metres in 120 seconds, an astonishing feat!
Weight over the
bar:
A ring of flanged
steel, all of 11 kilograms in weight, with inner edges that need smoothing off,
and thrown backward with one hand or two, over a 5-metre pole, not much lower
than a pole-vaulter best; that is the challenge. Competitors fling the circular
steel ring, high and backwards.
Tug o’ War:
This is the only
athletic event in which the contestant moves backward!
If ever an event could prove technique, strength, spirit, and stamina, then this is where the fortunes of contestants would be made.
The judge shrill whistle surges the anticipation of the call to “PULL” and the rope, thick in diameter and coarse in texture, as it was meant to be, strain under the opposing teams, pulling each over the line.
The true moment of this event comes when two opposing teams match each other, and the pull becomes a deadlock. Each team wedged and anchored; the burning effect of pulling with bare hands, limited to pure strength now not so evident in your hands, you wait for that moment when your opponent’s start to gather. They make the fatal mistake of lifting one foot off the ground to gain advantage, or so they thought, and then you strike and all opposing resistance crumbles.
Kilted Mile:
The Fort Nottingham Highland Gathering nestles in the shadow of a mountain, formed as long ago and as part of the uKhahlamba - Drakensberg Mountain range and up to its crest and along the ridge, is marked a track of the FNHG Kilted mile, reminiscent of the famous run at the Braemar Games in Scotland.
High and imposing runners reach the base and scramble up and over the rocks along with a hundred other competitors all trying to secure a front-line position for the gold medal, The swift should be scrambling down in 12 minutes, the aching altitude and scramble up the mountain all working to sap your breath and energy.
Putting of the Stone:
A rock of 14 kilograms must rest perfectly in the palm of your hand for maximum effect. Quickly tossed and supported by a clenched hand and strained chest, the stone launches on a trajectory that if sent to high or too far, would limit the distance. Only the experienced can find the sweet spot to claim the medals success.
The athletics events have been sponsored by Kings Arms in memory of Doug Kirton.
The competitive athleticism is complemented by the grace and precision of Celtic dancing, piped bands… and of course, the rousing bag pipes. Guests are invited to get into the spirit of the occasion by wearing tartan, eating shortbread and sampling whisky!
This year’s event will feature a range of stalls of locally-sourced market wares and Midlands based merchandise; food and beverage stalls; field demos, dog events and children’s activities – including face-painting and jumping castles. In attendance will be, among others, the Pietermaritzburg and the Durban Caledonians, the First Medical and Pietermaritzburg Caledonian Pipe bands.
“We are delighted to be able to host the Fort Nottingham Highland Gathering again after the long Covid Lockdown. Like so many other events, starting up again is always something of a challenge; however, we are beyond delighted that the games are going ahead this year. We are grateful for the generosity, goodwill and possibility-thinking of so many people and organisations in making this event possible; and thank Louise Fox whose land surrounding the fort we are using for the games. We look forward to welcoming friends and family to For Nottingham for what promises to be a magical day!” enthuses Victor Muhlenbeck, one of the organisers of the event.
Fort Nottingham is a tiny village just up the road from the vibrant town of Nottingham Road and one of the gems of the Midlands. Situated about 50km north-west of Pietermaritzburg, about the same distance from the Drakensberg mountains, and about 150km from Durban, Fort Nottingham is quiet and small with houses dating back to the late 1850s, and boasting a quaint town hall and museum which is in the Old Fort itself, and has a comprehensive history of the area. The fort was commissioned by Queen Victoria in 1856, and the Scottish link is from settlers from Scotland who inspired the naming of near-by Balgowan, Glencoe and Dundee.
