Highland Games in the desert

As a moral booster to those serving in Afganistan a Highland Games has just been held. More than 100 soldiers, sailors and airmen stationed in Afghanistan took part – using rocks from the desert as improvised "shots".


American and British forces donned 'kilts' or whatever they could find close to a kilt to take part in the games at Camp Leatherneck in Helmand Province.

The cardboard kilt is quite creative! At least there was little chance of rain that day.

The games took place just days after two soldiers from 2 SCOTS and another from the 51st Highland 7th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (7 SCOTS) were killed in Helmand Province.

Due to the busy work schedule in Afghanistan the games were just two hours long, with three events held – tossing the caber, the kettle bell throw and shot putt using round Afghan rocks from the desert.

The participants were split into three groups and spent half an hour at each event taking three attempts to produce their best throw at each.


Prizes were handed out to winners at a ceremony following the games and the forces lunched on haggis, which was piped in with the Address to the Haggis recited by William Garrick, the Regimental Sergeant Major from 2 SCOTS, and cut with a bayonet.

The haggis was washed down with cans of Irn Bru.

Major Tom McCappin, Royal Corps of Signals, who helped organise the games, said: "The entire event was a great success and provided a much needed boost to the morale of everyone who took part."