Scots take up the tartan challenge from Austria

Cabers look set to fly this August as Austria challenges the pride of Scotland to Highland games in the Alps.

Austrian entrepreneur Thomas Rettl hopes to bring competitors from Scotland to face the best of Austrian manhood in what will be the first International Highland Games between the two countries. With the Alpine Highland Games celebrating their 25th anniversary this year, Mr Rettl is hopeful that Austrian strong men will be given the chance to test themselves against the real deal.

The kilt maker and eccentric fan of Scottish culture said: “It would be a pleasure to for us to compete against real Highlanders. I think we have a chance, although I am not too sure when it comes to who is better at drinking beer!” The event is expected further to cement the games as one of the VIP events on the Austrian calendar.

In Scotland, President of the Scottish Games Association Ian Grieves said “We definitely need to show the Austrians how it is done. Our athletes would relish the chance to represent Scotland abroad.”

It is likely that at least one squad of heavyweights will be sent out to compete in the highland games activities. Traditionally these activities have include famous Caber tossing, hammer throwing, the stone put and the quirkily named Sheaf toss - where a bundle of straw weighing nine kg is tossed over a bar with a pitchfork.

The Alpine games will definitely feature caber tossing, with special events in the form of long distance raw-egg tossing and what will be a hotly contested beer drinking competition also planned. The sound of the pipes will add extra colour to the games, with Scottish dancing at the centre.

The appetite for all things Scottish was heightened in Austria after the discovery of what they claim is the world's earliest tartan cloth in Carinthia. This led to Mr Rettl designing the first modern Austrian kilt. The Austrian tailor hopes this new event will repair relations between the two countries after controversy surrounded his claim that kilts were originally Aus- trian and not Scottish.

Brian Wilton, director of The Scottish Tartan Authority, said: “Herr Rettl has a nice line in historical fiction. and we view his claims with an indulgent smile.

To interpret a scrap of tartan in a salt mine as proof that Austria invented the kilt is a huge leap of faith that defies logic. However, anything that promotes Scottish culture or the kilt is a good thing“.

The rival claims for the true homeland of tartan should ensure that sparks will fly this summer. One cheeky Scottish contestant has already written to Rettl saying: “Dae ye Ken leather was foond at a site in bonnie Scotland, we had the lederhoosen first ya numpty.”

It has yet to be confirmed if Scots will proudly wear Lederhosen and yodel through the glens. All will be revealed in August! The games will be held in Klagenfurt from the 15th to the 17th of August.

To find out more, visit: http://www.alpenhighlander.eu

25.02.2008 08:49:07