Stepping Out

Think you can toss that caber?

Old Westbury Gardens hosts annual Scottish Festival

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If you haven’t had the opportunity to vacation yet this summer, allow Old Westbury Gardens to transport you to the rolling hills of Scotland for Long Island’s 56th Annual Scottish Festival and Highland Games on Saturday, Aug. 27.
The event is hosted by Clan MacDuff, which originated on Long Island.
“As Scottish men immigrated from Scotland, many were away from their families. To share some of the cultural backgrounds and meet new friends they formed clans,” says Andrew McInnes, the festival’s committee chairman, looking back on the origins of Clan MacDuff, “Since they were from many different areas of Scotland, they had many different names. [They] chose to name the clan after a famous Scot, in this case MacDuff.”
The daylong festival features an array of competitive events true to those played at the first-ever games in 11th century Scotland. The games were created as a royal contest to find the strongest Scotsmen in the kingdom. Today, they serve as a remembrance of Celtic and Gaelic traditions in sport, music, customs, and culture.
“Historically, this is our single biggest event of anything we do here,” says Vince Kish, communications director at Old Westbury Gardens. “On a nice day, the gardens can host from 5-7,000 people at the annual festival. Giving this culture, education, entertainment to local people is part of why Old Westbury Gardens exists, and with greater attendance comes the revenue that helps maintain our budget to make this place possible.”

One of many similar events that continue to uphold Scots culture and history throughout the nation and internationally, this version is the only one of its kind within the New York metropolitan area, according to Kish. “It’s an interesting and enjoyable festival, but when you add in 200 acres of greenery, it’s made that much more interesting and beautiful,” he says.
Competitors in this year’s games will partake in events such as the caber toss, Tossing the Sheaf, and Putting the Stone. A caber is an 18-foot-long, 120 pound log that the “tosser” balances vertically in his hands. He then runs forward and throws it into the air. The objective is to have the caber turn in the air and have the other end strike into the ground. Tossing the Sheaf is similar to a hay toss, and putting the stone resembles track and field’s shot put, although the “stone” in this case is irregularly shaped.
McInnes notes that in recent years more and more “lassies” have made their way into the competitors’ circle. “It’s not that it was never allowed, it’s just that there was never significant interest before,” McInnes says. “Now, the women have their own set of competitions.”
Although the annual event is intended to celebrate Scottish culture, it’s also a fun-filled festival for the entire family. Children can test their strength in a kid-sized version of the caber toss, and also enjoy relay races and an old-fashioned tug of war. Other festival activities include pony rides, face painting, a petting zoo, and inflatables like a giant slide and moon bounce, along with highland and country dancing and pipe bands, and other forms of entertainment.
If you’d rather spectate than participate, the festival features multiple craft and authentic food vendors for your enjoyment. Feast on classic Scottish delicacies like fish and chips, meat pies and sausage rolls. Take home a piece of the Highlands like woolen and tartan goods or Celtic novelty items. Some entertaining acts that can be seen alongside the games are bagpipers (four bands of them to be precise), a bluegrass band, and the Cameron Music Ensemble.
“Long Island has had thousand of Scottish Immigrants living, working, and contributing to its growth for hundreds of years,” McInnes says. “As with other ethnic groups that have settled on Long Island, I believe each nationality has contributed their best features to our American culture. By having our festival, we try to show people some of the best of Scottish culture.” A great example, McInnes mentions, is the bagpipes that are played to honor those currently serving in the military.
“The competitors in the games are almost exclusively Scottish-American, and the festival is an expression of the pride they feel in their heritage,” Kish adds. “For certain visitors, it’s a way for them to reconnect with the old country, and for people like me with an ounce of Scottish blood in them, it’s just fun.”
The event is also a chance for the community to give back to an important cause, as visitors can make donations throughout the day to benefit Island Harvest. “Island Harvest has a tent at our festival and asks for donations while they are there. They also volunteer their time [by] helping us run the children’s races or any other job we may need done,” McInnes says. “We have a good relationship with them.”
There’s plenty to keep the kids occupied throughout the day. They can try their skill at that kid-friendly caber toss, with light cabers (actually tubes), enjoy the petting zoo, interactive storytelling and a pirate show, among the activities to entertain the younger set.
And, as always, Scotland’s fascinating culture is showcased at the Scottish Heritage tent where visitors can get an up-close and personal look at bagpipes and learn about the country’s clans or search for that long-lost relative and find out more about those Scottish roots.
McInnes urges prospective visitors to arrive early in the hopes of nabbing a parking spot. “The height of the fair is between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., but they usually close off the parking lot in the morning if it gets too crowded.” The gardens provide plenty of shaded areas for families to enjoy a picnic, and it is encouraged to bring lawn chairs or a blanket to sit back and enjoy the day.
“[The festival] has always been a reunion for my family, and still is for over 25 years,” McInnes sayss. “I love seeing families use our festival each year as a place to meet, and that’s why I am involved.”

Long Island Scottish Festival and Highland Games
When: Saturday, Aug. 27, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. $20, $18 seniors, $8 children 7-17.
Where: Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury.
(516) 333-0048 or www.oldwestburygardens.org.