Tossing the Caber at Braemar
The Queen is resident this month in Scotland at Balmoral Castle, the Royal Family's private Scottish home. During the month she is joined by various members of her family who traditionally spend time at Balmoral during August and September. Prince Philip and Prince Charles wear Highland dress when at Balmoral and are most likely to be seen sporting the Balmoral tartan, a plaid exclusive to the Royal Family and Balmoral Estate residents.
Although members of the Royal Family are active at this time, with engagements ranging from harvest festivals to receptions for medical charities, this is a quiet month for the Queen.
Scotland is host to some 70 Highland Gatherings & Games every summer. The granddaddy and most prestigious of them all takes place this month at Braemar, near Balmoral on Saturday, 4 September. If you have not already booked your grandstand seats for this you may be already too late.
The Braemar Gathering has a long history of royal connections dating back over 900 years to its first beginnings in the 11th century the reign of King Malcolm Canmore. He camped here with his army prior to engaging and defeating McBeth of later Shakespearean fame at a battle near Lumphanon in 1057.
Malcolm III ruled Scotland until 1093 and is reputed to have called together the Scottish Clans to the Braes O' Mar that he might, 'by keen and fair contest', select his hardiest soldiers and fleetest messengers. His Queen, the pious Margaret, was unusually well educated for a lady of her times and is thought to have been in part responsible for this contest which she had based upon her readings about the classical Olympic Games in Ancient Greece.
The Queen is Patron of the Gathering, Vice-Patrons are the Duke of Fife, Capt. AAC Farquharson of Invercauld, MC, and Capt. Mark Nicolson.
The event has traditionally attracted members of the Royal Family from nearby Balmoral since Queen Victoria established Balmoral as her Scottish retreat. Highlights include traditional Highland dancing, piping, tossing the caber, putting the stone and throwing the hammer.
The Braemar Royal Highland Society have been organising the event since Victorian times. They moved the date of the Gathering to September in 1848 to enable Queen Victoria to attend on her first visit to Balmoral with her Consort, Prince Albert. She obviously enjoyed it so much that she put her personal stamp upon the Games and even hosted them at Balmoral Castle on one occasion.
Expect to see an impressive display of pipe bands and international athletes of Scottish descent participating in track events. Most of all, admire the cream of Scottish society pay tribute to the Royal Family
