Be a Scot for a day

Some end-of-summer revelry awaits — Scottish style — as Old Westbury Gardens opens its lush grounds to the Scottish Festival and Highland Games. Scots and non-Scots alike eagerly welcome the annual spectacle, on Saturday, Aug. 26, as the landmark estate fills with the sounds of piping and related action, co-hosted by the Long Island Clan MacDuff.
With those bagpipes, caber tossing and highland dancing — along with plenty of entertainment and assorted activities for lads and lasses — there’s much to see and do. It is believed that the games were begun by ancient highland chieftains to help them select the strongest men for their armies. Those traditions continue today in the form of caber tossing, Putting the Stone, Tossing the Sheaf, and arm wrestling competitions, piping and drumming.
Long Island had once been home to six Scottish clans. Today only Clan MacDuff remains.
“We consider this to be like a gathering of the clans,” says Clan MacDuff’s Andrew McInnes, the festival’s committee chairman. “This is what they used to do in Scotland all those years ago. Groups of families would come together for games such as Putting the Stone and other various competitions and share food and companionship. We’re replicating that. People come from all over to meet their families here, bring a picnic and stay for the day. Many come for a family reunion. It’s the end of summer, a good time for everyone to gather.”
Now in its 57th year, the event has evolved into a family festival as much as a cultural event. “There really is something for everyone,” says McInnes. “It’s a nice day out. I always say ‘bring a blanket and a folding chair and find a shady tree. That’s how you start your day. Consider this to be your home for the day’.”

While it has become a broad-based family festival, with birds of prey, an antique car parade and even dog agility demonstrations, those traditional elements continue to be a main attraction, especially the caber toss and pipe bands.
The caber is a long, tapered pine pole or log. The “tosser” balances it vertically by holding the smaller end and then runs forward and tosses it so that it turns in the air with the larger end striking the ground first. Ideally, the pole strikes in a strictly vertical position, and the athletes are scored based on how closely the throw lands at a 12 o’clock position.
“The caber toss is always a big draw,” McInnes says. “We usually have 30 to 40 people involved, starting in the preliminary rounds and moving into the competition.
He notes that in recent years “lassies” have made their way into the competitiom. “It’s not that it was never allowed, it’s just that there was never significant interest before. Last year we had four women compete and we’d like to get even more.”
Competitors also can try their skills with Tossing the Sheaf, and Putting the Stone. Tossing the Sheaf involves flinging a bale of hay over a horizontal pole with a large pitchfork. Putting the Stone, is similar to the traditional Olympic style shot put, but uses a large stone in which the weight varies.
While the games are going on, a lively lineup of bands and dance ensembles, including those assorted bagpipers, provide a musical backdrop throughout the day. “We have five pipe bands this year, four Scottish and one Irish, the most we’ve ever had,” says McInnes. “They add so much flavor to the festival. The opening ceremony at 12:30 is quite special [with a grand march down the North Lawn]. The marching of the pipe bands is quite a sight to see.”
Other performer’s add to the festivities, including the Celtic band The Brigadoons, East Meadow’s Meadowgrass Band, with their bluegrass tunes; the Cameron Scottish Music Ensemble, as well as traditional highland dancers.
There is also plenty to keep the kids occupied throughout the day. They can try their skill at their own version of a caber toss, with light cabers (actually tubes), enjoy relay races and an old-fashioned tug of war. Other activities include pony rides, face painting, a petting zoo, a giant slide and moon bounce, along with puppetry and storytelling in the children’s tent.
When it’s time for a break, check out the many Scottish products available for purchase. Feast on classic Scottish or perhaps take home a piece of the Highlands.
And, as always, Scotland’s fascinating culture is showcased throughout the day at the Scottish Heritage Tent and Clan Row.

Long Island Scottish Festival and Highland Games
When: Saturday, Aug. 26, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. $20, $18 seniors, $8 children.
Where: Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. (516) 333-0048 or www.oldwestburygardens.org.