Eden Gilchrist (left) and Sarah Jamison share a secret as
they wait to dance at the 150th Anniversary Highland Games
held at the Caledonian Ground yesterday. Photos by Gerard
O'Brien.
Dunedin's Caledonian Society celebrated 150 years of
keeping the city's Scottish heritage alive at the Highland
Games yesterday.
About 400 people enjoyed the day's events at the Caledonian
Ground, which included tossing the sheaf, the deadweight
carry and the naming of the Queen o' the Heather.
Slideshow: 150th Anniversary Highland Games
Yesterday's games included many of the events at Dunedin's
first Highland Games, which the society held in 1863. The
society was formed in 1862.
Society secretary John Stinson said the games celebrated
Dunedin's Scottish history and were a great day out for the
family.
They were also a nice way to celebrate the "great history" of
the society, which was the oldest Scottish society in New
Zealand, Mr Stinson said.
Karen Gilchrist, of Oamaru, who came to watch daughter Eden
Gilchrist compete in the Highland dance, said the day was a
great chance to celebrate her family's Scottish history, with
Eden's grandfather born in Scotland.
Eden "loved" the day and having a chance to talk to her
friends and fellow competitors, Mrs Gilchrist said.
Other events held on the day included gumboot throwing, caber
tossing, sack racing, the kilties dash and marching.
Dunedin music teacher Lisa Sutherland was awarded the Queen
o' the Heather title.
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