The Scottish Highland Games, an eclectic nod to the past

Revelers immersed themselves in the moors of Scotland on the southern shore of Lake Jesup at Winter Springs’ Central Winds Park this past weekend at the 47th Central Florida Scottish Highland Games, one of Seminole County’s largest events.

The event is centered around the unusual sports that have become internationally competitive, such as the sheaf toss, caber toss, and the Scottish hammer throw, attracting competitors from around the globe. But the weekend takes on a festival-like atmosphere featuring world-class pipe and drum bands from throughout the country and sometimes from Scotland itself.

Photos by Isaac Benjamin Babcock

Pipers and drummers from the City of Mount Dora Pipe Band perform among the dozens of Scottish Clan tents which invite visitors to reconnect with their families’ Scottish roots.

A rugby scrimmage match has become and annual tradition at the Scottish Highland Games on the main field, as the games approaches its 50th anniversary.

A unicorn (they’re the national animal of Scotland, yes, seriously) entices children to gain unicorn powers.

The Irish band Screaming Orphans plays an early set on the Lochside stage before the Saturday night Ceilidh concert, which always follows the closing ceremonies of the games on the first day of the weekend.