有大量的高地游戏存在于苏格兰的丘陵地带。他们中的大多数存在已如此长的时间了,以至于他们何时以及为何开始都无从知晓了。然而今天,他们提供了一个在传统的全民族都参与和喜爱的体育活动方面的优势。
可是哪种游戏才是传统的游戏呢?嗯,当谈起高地游戏,我们不可能缺乏创造性。除了常规的体育活动,比如跳远、疾跑和推铅球,你将会发现更多的独特的游戏,比如“投棒”、或“投重物”。投棒是投一根又重又长又粗的杆,使它尽可能直立的着地。在投秤锤时,比赛者猛掷一个固着于一根长而粗的链条一段的金属球,目的是为了把它掷的尽可能高和远。另一个高地游戏活动是掷铁锤。在其中,运动员在自己的头顶上旋转一个槌(起初是一个大锤),接着放开,为了投的尽可能远。
在高地游戏中还可以看到其它的什么呢?除了体育,你还可以看到当地文化的庆祝活动。你可以听到风笛,看到高地舞蹈和许多其它形式的传统高地庆祝活动。这些活动适合于老人和年轻人,男人和女人。他们中的大多数都流行了很长时间。他们提供了一种真正的不同于其它任何一种文化的苏格兰氛围。
There are a number of Highland Games held through the highlands Scotland. Many of them have been taking place for so long that it is unknown when they were started or why. Today, however, they provide a showcase of traditional sporting events that are participated in and enjoyed by people of all nationalities.
But what sort of games are 'traditional' games? Well, there is no shortage of creativity when it comes to the Highland Games. Besides regular sporting events such as long jump and sprinting and shotput, you will also find more unique games such as 'tossing the caber' or 'throwing the weight'. Tossing the caber is the throwing of an impressive, long thick pole in an attempt to get it to land as straight as possible. In throwing the weight, the competitor hurls a metal ball on the end of a long, thick chain and handle in an attempt to get it as high and far as possible. Another Highland game event is 'throwing the hammer' wherein the sportsman swings a 'hammer' (originally a sledge hammer) over his head and then releases it, aiming to get the longest distance.
What else can be seen and enjoyed at the Highland Games? Besides the sports, you will see a celebration of local culture. You will be able to hear bagpipes, highland dancing and many other forms of traditional highland celebrations. The games are for young and old, male and female and many of them last around four days. They offer a real Scottish atmosphere unlike any other.