The World History of Highland Games – Day 2 of Where Am I Week!
Today we are offering a copy of The World History of Highland Games written by David Webster, with photographs by Lynn Boland Richardson. The lucky winner will also receive a voucher for 50% off books bought on the Luath website when they spend over £20.
For centuries upon centuries, Highland games have been a defining feature of Scotland’s identity, evolving from celebrations of the Celtic nature goddess to gatherings enjoyed by competitors and spectators worldwide. These traditional games attracted mass appeal and participation long before the advent of the modern Olympics and have influenced sport across the world. In Scotland today the games are hugely popular with tourists and locals alike. Highland games now take place in numerous countries outwith Scotland, including the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Germany. This book examines Highland games from their roots to the present day. In doing so the colour and vivacity of the games are beautifully captured, as is the identity of a people.
David P Webster has been described as the leading authority on Highland Games after being involved in the sport for over fifty years. A champion in his own right and an authority at the highest level in Scottish leisure and recreational authorities, he organises and commentates at Highland gatherings in every continent. Webster officiated at Olympic Games in Rome, Mexico City and Munich and has served in numerous positions on the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland since 1957; he is now the Council’s Life Vice President. He has received many national and international honours including an OBE at Buckingham Palace in 1995. A prolific writer, his books on Highland Games prove very popular.
Lynn Boland Richardson is a Canadian author, historian and photographer of Scottish descent. She gained a Masters degree in History from the University of Waterloo and since 1986 has served as professional Historian for The Record newspaper in Canada. She expresses her passion for the promotion and preservation of Scottish culture within Canada through her roles as a Director for the Canadian Scottish Athletic Federation and the Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games. Lynn is a regular lecturer on Scottish related topics, including the culture of Scotch Malt Whisky, at many Highland Games throughout Canada and internationally. As a photographer specialising in historic sites and Scottish athletics and Highland Games in general, Lynn’s published work can be seen in magazines, postcards, posters and greeting cards.
The World History of Highland Games competition will be running from the afternoon of Tuesday 7th August, through to Wednesday 8th at 2PM, so make sure you keep an eye on our Facebook and Twitter streams to see what image you have to identify the location of! We also plan to post further information about all the locations used over here on the blog once each of the winners have been announced!