Border Collies (Herding)
Proudly Sponsored by
 |  |
|---|---|
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |
You never know what you’ll see at a Highland Games! Our Scottish Border Collies put on a delightful show for the whole family.
Located in Townville in South Carolina, Red Creek Farm is home to Carol Anne Bailey, her Border Collies, and a herd of Katahdin sheep. Carol Anne has been working with Border Collies since she was 9 years old and is heavily involved with training, breeding, teaching and competing with herding dogs. The Border Collies are used for everyday farm work, as well as herding trials and demos.
On the day of the Savannah Scottish Games, Carol Anne and her Border Collies will be on-site to demonstrate their amazing sheep herding skills. The Border Collies coming to the Games include Pete (the duck dog), Pearl, Star, and Layne will be herding Katahdin sheep. If you've never had the chance to witness the talented canines, the Savannah Scottish Games is a perfect time.
The dog's instant obedience to the trainer’s whistle and voice commands is one of the game's most favorite events. These intelligent animals put on a show that’s fun for the whole family!
EVENT SPONSOR:
The Randolph Company is a wealth management company you can trust!
With over 35 years dedicated to honesty, integrity, and client first mentality, The Randolph Company’s wealth management firm’s continuity of leadership, enduring client relationships, and investment results have enabled them to build a close-knit, talented team of professionals who care about their clients.
We thank our partners in tradition—supporting culture, history, and the future of the Games! 🏴 Proud Clan Bruce and Clan Russell heritage! 🏴 The Randolph Company looks forward to earning a spot in your circle of advisors.
Birds of Prey
Proudly Sponsored by:
Event Sponsor:
Saving Scottish Wildcats
Small, fearless, wild, unforgiving, tenacious, beautiful, all words that describe not only Scotland, but also the Scottish Wildcat. Surely the living breathing embodiment of Scotland and its' people.
Tug-Of-War
Proudly Sponsored by:
REGISTER A TEAM OF 8 TO COMPETE! There is no specific time and place to pinpoint the origin of tug-of-war. The contest of pulling a rope originates from ancient ceremonies all over the world. FUN FACT: In 1889 the founder of the International Olympic Committee saw some Highland Games events in Paris, and this inspired him to add the Hammer Throw, Shot Put and Tug-Of-War to the Olympic Games! Tug-Of-War remained an official Olympic events until 1920, and the hammer throwing and shot put contests seen at the Olympics today have their roots in these traditional Scottish games.
Tug of War Rules
The Rope
The competition involves usage of a single piece of equipment i.e. a rope. There is a red mark made in the middle of the rope. This red mark on the rope needs to be at a perpendicular angle to the exact center point on the ground, before the commencement of the competition. A white mark is made exactly 13 feet from the red mark on either sides of the rope. The event is won when either side with this white mark crosses
the center point.
Elimination
The winner will be determined by TWO out of THREE pulls.
Teams
Each team can accommodate a maximum of 8 members. Two substitutes/alternates are allowed.
Field and Marking
The competition will be played on a flat grassy patch of land. A line referred to as a center line is marked on the playing zone and the rope is placed in a manner that its center mark should align the center marked on the ground. On either sides of the rope 20 feet from the center line, 2 more marks need to be made.This is the point where in the first member of each team will stand.
The Pull
The center of the rope should align with the center marked on the ground. As soon as the referee blows the whistle, each team can start pulling the rope into their territory. The objective of the competition is for each team to pull the rope along with the members of opposition team to their side. As soon as the
second mark on the rope from the center red mark crosses over to center line, the team to pull the rope to their area wins the event.
Competition
The tug of war competition requires a judge. There are 3 different commands that the judge gives to the players. The judge first announces “Pick up the rope”, he then says “Apply tension”, and finally he tells the players to “Pull”. Once the pull command is said out the teams start pulling the rope. If a member of the team falls down that member is given a caution. Each team is allowed two cautions before getting disqualified.
Fouls
There is a particular technique that needs to be applied while competing, if not then there will be
a foul which can call in for disqualifications. For example: lowering your elbow below the knee level while pulling the rope is considered to be a foul and is called ‘locking’. Touching the ground for a longer period of time is also considered a foul.
Misc.
FOOTWEAR: Cleated footwear is not allowed.
ANCHOR PERSON: Cannot tie the rope around the waist. Allowed to go around the back only.
Event Sponsor:
Hurling & Camogie (Irish Sports) versus Shinty (Scottish Sport)
2025 SAVANNAH SCOTTISH GAMES' HURLING SCHEDULE
10 am
The Fianna Vs Cú Chulainn
(combo teams from Pooler GAA and and Charleston GAA)
10:45 am - 11:45 am
Cú Chulainn Top Golf
Interactive top golf style experience for all ages
1 pm - 2 pm
Cup championship
Pooler GAA vs Charleston GAA Cup
The Hurling/Camogie demonstration is provided by Pooler GAA (Hurling and Camogie Club). Pooler GAA practices in Pooler, Georgia and beginners are welcome to join! Hurling was recently inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It is the oldest and fastest field sport in the world, dating back almost 3,000 years and features strongly in Irish mythology. The first written reference to hurling dates back to 1272 BC. It is a stick and ball game, played by teams of 15 on a rectangular grass pitch with H-shaped goals at each end. The main sport on a national level in Ireland is the national indigenous GAA games of hurling and Gaelic football which are popular nation-wide.
Camogie is the name of the same sport played by women; it is almost identical to the game of hurling played by men, with a handful of minor differences in the rules. Gaelic games, both football and hurling, are played all over the world. There are GAA clubs all over Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Asia. Wherever Irish people have emigrated to, they have brought Gaelic games with them.
Shinty is the national sport of Scotland -- a spirited traditional sport utilising a curved stick and ball which is played all across Scotland, especially in the Highlands and West Coast. As Scotland's most culturally significant sport, the communities of the Highlands and shinty have an indescribable connection. Generations of families have a strong relationship with the game and, as such, shinty is now a truly indispensable part of Highland culture.
______
Is shinty the same as hurling? The game was derived from the same root as the Irish game of hurling and the Welsh game of bando, but has developed unique rules and features:
Shinty — Scottish team sport resembling field hockey, played with long curved sticks and a small ball which is hit through tall goalposts. While comparisons are often made with field hockey, the two games have several important differences. In shinty, a player is allowed to play the ball in the air and is allowed to use both sides of the stick, called a caman, which is wooden and slanted on both sides.
Hurling — a Gaelic outdoor team sport where players use a wooden stick to hit a ball between the opposing team's goalposts. The stick is called a 'hurley', or a camán in the Irish language, while the ball is called a sliotar.
Non-Profit Participants
Thank you to the following non-profit organizations that help make today's event possible by volunteering, supporting or hosting a tent:
