Mark your calendars now, so that you will not miss the 60th Anniversary of the Portland Highland Games on Saturday, July 21, 2012. The piobaireachd solo competitions are the previous evening, Friday, the 20th.

Once again we will bring you world-class pipe bands, celtic entertainment, top competition in heavy athletics, Highland dancing, solo fiddling, piping and drumming competitions. The kilted mile run, sheepdog demonstrations, children's games and activities, MacTarnahan Memorial Challenge caber toss, and the parade of massed bands are always among the favorites. Throughout the day browse the booths to choose your special wares and souvenirs or enjoy your Highland foods and beers while watching the great celtic entertainment. At the end of the day, mingle with the competitors and perhaps enjoy a taste of some fine whiskies while unwinding from the days activities at the Ceilidh.

Much more is in the works for the 60th anniversary! We plan to bring back the Tug-of-War, have a Fun Run for the kids and have a display to celebrate the past 60 years of history. The ever-popular raffle to win a Vacation for Two to Scotland will again be available. Who knows - we might even have a birthday cake!

Come see and join us in celebration!

We salute and thank all competitors, volunteers, sponsors, vendors, entertainers, exhibitors, clans, scouts, the Oregon National Color Guard and Mount Hood Community College for helping make the Games a great success this year.

A special thank you to the public who attended. Your support and enthusiasm keeps the Portland Highland Games one of the best family events in the Pacific Northwest.

See you next year on July 21, 2012 - the 60th year of the Games!

Slainte!

"Vacation for Two" to Scotland was won by Raffle Ticket Number 4528. This was James "Skip" Wendler's first time at the Games. Congratulations!

The Chieftain of the Day is chosen as someone who has made a significant contribution of preserving the Portland Highland Games through the years. They will be presented and honored during the welcoming ceremonies at the Games. The Chieftain of the Day represents the spirit of keeping the traditions of Highland heritage in our community.

Colin MacKenzie & Bonnie Heather Blyth MacKenzie

It is with great pleasure that the Portland Highland Games Association honors Colin and Bonnie MacKenzie as Chieftains of 2011 Games. Their long involvement with the Games began with their parents, Duncan and Jo MacKenzie and Bob and Dorothy Blyth, Chieftain in 1993. Bonnie and Colin continued the family tradition of involvement in the Scottish community through piping and Highland dance. They have actively contributed to the Portland Highland Games as competitors, volunteers and officers.

At the Portland Highland Games you will see the competitors - pipers, drummers, dancers, athletes - wearing kilts and tartans. In addition, you will also see many other people proudly wearing their family tartan. Many have been doing this down through the years.

There was a time, however, when our forefathers were not allowed to wear their tartan. They had been defeated in the Jacobite Rebellion and by subsequent Act of Proscription of August 1, 1747 were forbidden to show signs of being Highlanders.

The wearing of the tartan, playing of the bagpipes, speaking of Gaelic and bearing arms of any kind was strictly proscribed and severely punished. Our forefathers struggled under this law for thirty-six years until the Act of Proscription was lifted and they could again wear Highland garb and their tartan with pride.

There is a delightful story that has been passed down through the centuries: It is said that our forefathers hid pieces of the forbidden tartan under their clothing when they went to church. At a secret signal the cherished pieces of tartan were fingered and a prayer was recited.

In April 1941, Dr. Peter Marshall, Chaplain of the US Senate, remembered this story brought from his own Highland home and he included it in his sermon. The idea took fire and a great “Kirkin of the Tartan” began that day. Today, “kirkins” or blessings of the tartans take place throughout Canada and the United States.

At the Portland Highland Games, you will see many wearing their tartans and in our Welcoming Ceremonies our tartan clad Northwest Scots Guard proudly followed by the finest bagpipe band leading the Clansmen, each wearing their beautiful tartans.

The Portland Highland Games takes seriously its commitment to provide first-class venues for each competitive event. At most Highland games, including the World Pipe Band Championships in Scotland, the pipe band competition is on grass. Portland Highland Games is adopting this standard used worldwide.