Originally written by Carl White.
One of the first things I heard about when I moved to Greenwich was the Round Hill Highland (Scottish) Games. Around July Fourth, there would always be newspaper articles about a grand gathering of Scottish clans in backcountry Greenwich. Usually, this would include a picture of someone tossing what looked like a telephone pole across a field. I noticed several years ago that the Games were no longer held in Greenwich, but had moved to Stamford. Recently I decided to research the history of the Games. According to Greenwich Time, the Round Hill Highland Games first started in 1923 on the 147-acre estate of Charles A. Moore on Round Hill Road. He was born in Lynn, Massachusetts, and was the grandfather of actress Glenn Close. Moore was chairman of Manning, Maxwell, and Moore – a New York City-based metal products firm. He died in 1949.
Charles Moore was of Scottish descent himself. He allowed his Scottish-born domestic workers and gardeners to hold a family picnic on July 4th. In this way, the people were able to celebrate their Scottish heritage. The event grew in popularity, and competitive games were added. People started coming from all over the country. They traveled by train to Greenwich, where they were met at the railroad station by bagpipers, and marched up Greenwich Avenue on their way to the Moore estate. The participants included Clansmen, athletes, bands, pipers, drummers, drum majors, and dancers.
In 1925, approximately 6,000 people came to see the games. The Round Hill Highland Games became the third oldest games in the United States. Competitors came from all over the country to participate in the games. These kilted warriors competed in the Caber Toss. A Caber is a long, roughly hewn tree about the size of a telephone pole. Dimensions range from 17- to 19 – feet in length and 4- to 8- inches in diameter. Men hold the pole upright, run with it and toss it so that it ends up landing on the opposite end. A stone put (or shot put) pits people against each other to see who can throw the stone the furthest. Children, as well as adults, compete in running races. A tug-of-war is also held as a feat of strength. Women display their skills with a rolling pin toss! It includes a dance competition according to age and features the Highland Fling and a Sword Dance. Men, women, and children can participate in any number of sack races. Horseshoe throwing is very popular. Other events include Scottish food tasting, story-telling, sing-a-longs, craft sales, Scottish dancing, piping, bagpipe serenades, and having photos taken. Subjects can choose to dress up as a Highland Bagpiper, Scottish Chieftain, Highland Dancer, or even the Loch Ness Monster and have a picture taken. Prizes are handed out to the best-dressed Piper (bagpiper) and best sailor hornpipe player.
Another attraction was the assortment of foods. Scottish meat pies with hot sauce were sold for 35 cents. A ham, cheese, and potato salad was sold for 30 cents. Beer was 15 cents and coffee went for 5 cents. Scotch whiskey, of course, was available. Children could buy soda. People could also buy hot dogs, hamburgers, and ice cream. Some families brought their own picnic baskets to continue the early tradition. Scottish Clans were housed in tents, and people stopped to talk with the different families.
For a few years, programs were handed out with advertising from such local companies as Fred Knapp, Stevens Laundry, McArdles Seed Co., Bon Ton Fish Market, Marks Brothers, Finch’s Drug Store, and Doran Brothers. A local travel company also advertised trips to Scotland, Ireland, and England for $181 (Tourist rate). The festivities ended with a colorful fireworks display!
The Round Hill Highlander Games were held almost every year. During World War II, the games were suspended, and, more recently, in 2004, logistics problems have caused postponement to the next year. The Moore estate was sold to a developer in 1998. The property was subdivided so that a large tract of land was no longer gathering. This began the nomadic travels of the RHHG. It was held for a while on Yale Farm, which was off John Street. Then it moved to the Blind Brook Polo Club site, best known today as the Pepsico property in Purchase, NY. It was held in Stamford until 1988 when it moved to Norwalk’s Cranbury Park, where it remains. Although the Games weren’t held this year due to a scheduling problem, they are scheduled to return next year.
The Scottish Games originated in Greenwich and will remain a part of our local history forever – regardless of where they are held.
SOURCE
Greenwich Time; Time Warner Company, Southwestern Connecticut Newspapers, Stamford CT; July 3, 2005, June 16, 1990, July 3, 2005.
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