Hopefully the weather will improve as the 2006 Highland Games season gets underway. Many of the places holding Highland Games, such as Markinch in Fife, (next Sunday - 4 June 2006 in the John Dixon Park), are of course far from the Scottish Highlands but are popular venues for all that. The whole community gets behind their local games regardless of where they are in Scotland. Games and sports have been held in Scotland for over a thousand years and were originally organised to find the best runners to provide communications over our rugged countryside. Many Highland Games still echo this original purpose with the incorporation of a Hill Race eg The Binn Race at Burntisland Highland Games in Fife (17 July 2006). Pipe Band Competitions, Solo Piping and Highland Dancing all add colour to the modern Highland Games, along with the Heavyweight Competitions and Track and Field events. No visit to Scotland during the Games season would be complete without attending a Highland Gathering to enjoy the spectacle.

Highland Dancing is one of the major attractions at the Games and a popular dance inspires this week’s recipe – Highland Fling. A combination with a Scottish traditional dance and her favourite tipple must be a winner!

Highland Fling

Ingredients:  1 oz Scotch Whisky; 1 oz Blue Curaçao; ½ oz Orange Bitters; Soda

Method:  Serve the spirits in a large goblet, topped with soda. Decorate with a slice of starfruit and kiwi.