Dashboards and Saddlebags the Destination Magazine™ Issue 036 March 2014

Continued From Page 12 culture with them. Tradition tells us t h at Game s were held near Ellerbe, North Carolina in the late 1700s; most sources state that the ﬁrst Games i n t he U. S . we r e presented by Scottish emigrants living in Boston in By 1861 at least three other Caledo1853. One source does state that the nian Clubs had joined Boston – New Boston Scots had been meeting for York, Philadelphia, and Newark, New “traditional games” for several years Jersey. The Civil War delayed the before that. There is also a descrip- spread of these events, but by 1875 tion of the “First Sportive Meet” of Highland Games were being held the Highland Society of New York in in at least 125 communities across the Emigrant and Old Countryman America. These “Caledonian Games” of October 19, 1836 which gives generally included competitions in some indication that regular com- dancing, music, and athletics; the athpetition took place during the ﬁrst letics could include foot races, hurdle half of the 19th Century. races, wrestling, pole-vaulting, high and long jump, hop, skip and jump, putting the heavy stone, throwing CELEBRATING MORE THAN the hammer and the light and heavy 250 YEARS IN HISTORY… weights and turning the caber. ural Hill is located at 4431 Neck Road (off Beatties Ford With the rise in intercollegiate athletRoad) in Huntersville, 28078. The ics in the late 1800s participation at former homestead of Major John Scottish Games went into a decline. and Violet Davidson, the 265 acre Many events folded; the ones that site is maintained and promoted by survived refocused on their cultural Historic Rural Hill Inc. and features heritage and expanded to become annual events such as the Rural Hill Festivals. Games and Festivals offer Scottish Festival and Loch Norman competition focused on traditional Highland Games, the Rural Hill Scottish athletic events, dance and Amazing Maize Maze, the Rural Hill music; they have expanded to include Sheepdog Trials, and the NC Brewers “fun” competitions, non-competitive and Music Festival. Historic Rural tests of skill and strength, and historiHill Inc. is a non-proﬁt organization cal re-enactments. supported through membership and donations, and with proceeds from its The Scottish Games in the United events utilized for the preservation of States have grown because many Historic Rural Hill and its education people of Scottish descent still feel efforts. For more information on the pull of their ancestral homeland events or for ﬁnancial support and heritage. The Games provide a accepted securely online, please visit connection to that heritage. For many, www.ruralhill.net. going to the Games is like going home to a family reunion. R 14 Dashboards and Saddlebags The Destination Magazine™

Dashboards and Saddlebags the Destination Magazine™ Issue 036 March 2014 | Page 14