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The Atholl
and Breadalbane Agricultural Show and Highland
Games
always held in August (see
the What's On pages for details)
 The
Atholl and Breadalbane Agricultural Society produces an
excellent Catalogue as they call it, of the two days event.
The brochure sponsored by the local
distillery Dewar's World of Whisky is full of little facts and
has a comprehensive list of events at the show. You learnt about
the Atholl and Breadalbane tradition of piping, the Manhood
stone of the Clan Menzies as well as putting the stone, weight
throwing and tossing the caber. It makes a good memento of the
event and those involved in its compilation are to be
complemented.
 We
are told that the manhood stone of Clan Menzies weighs 252
lbs (115kgs) and was used by Clan Menzies to select their
chief's body guard. What a difficult weight to lift, let alone
carry some 168 feet, the record set in 1997 by Steven King of Inverary we are advised.
We learn that Putting the stone was translated
 to
shot putting in international athletics today was introduced by
the Scots over 100 years ago. Throwing the weight is 28lbs and
56 lbs in weight and 56lb weight is thrown for height. I never
knew that, some weight to throw over a bar.
Tossing the caber we are told is as a result
of woodsmen moving logs down hill or for temporary footbridges
over burns.
 Highland
dancing was another important part of the The Atholl and
Breadalbane Agricultural Society's show. With competitors
arriving with their tents and support ready for the day, rain or
shine.
Being an agricultural show, there was live
stock, farm tractors
and a horticultural section covering plants, vegetables,
flowers, wool and probably much more. What caught my eye was the
auction at the end, which was a spectacle in its own right. The
local auctioneer helped to sell of exhibits taking great
liberties with his method of raising the price much to the
 enjoyment
of the local farming community. You thought you had bid £3 to
find it was actually £7. All funds going to staging next
years show.
The photos below will hopefully give you
a flavour of the Atholl and Breadalbane Agricultural Show and
Highland Games
Remember to double click on any of the
above images to see in more detail the Aberfeldy and Breadalbane
Highland Games and Agricultural show.
Aberfeldy Highland Games / Blair Atholl Highland Games / Pitlochry Highland Games / Rannoch Highland Gathering | 
