Old strength events gain new appeal

Scottish Games or Highland Athletics refer to various strength events peculiar to indiginous Scottish festivals. Once banned by the British government, the games, highland dress and other strictly Scottish ways again experienced a revival in the homeland during the 1800s and were also taken by those who left their homes to the new lands where they emigrated. Today these games are one of many features of Highland festivals which include clan gatherings, music, dance, and traditional foods. The Highland Games and Festivals celebrated in North America are not to be confused with the more recent phenomenon of "renaissance festivals" or renfests for short. The latter tend to be an admixture of pagan and "new age" commercialism, authentic music, skilled crafters, play acting, and costuming.