The lovely spot fixed on was well adapted for the games whilst the gorgeous scenery around made the kilted Celts to feel that their foot was on their native heath. .. . .
In connection with the rifle competition at Bennybeg, the Committee we believed, had a machine to take the men over but they never thought of making that public and the consequence was that riflemen coming from a distance were not aware of that convenient arrangement. So some came off at one station and some at another and with their rifles over their shoulders had to sweep across fields, over ditches and through woods to find the nearest route to the shooting ground. . . . . . . . As to the question which has been often asked, what good these games are for, we are inclined, we should suppose, to answer in a different way from many. At one time, as a mere physical exercise, we viewed them favourably but we do not do so now. After seeing them for the first time we have no hesitation in saying they are not intended for any good end. The prizes were evidently awarded to men who make it a trade - and that a very useless one.

Such games too encourage certain things that ought to be discouraged and it was patently clear to everyone that the public houses felt it to be a golden opportunity for them and so it was, for the result of their finished work was abundantly clear on the streets in the evening.

It is the first Highland Games in Crieff and we shall not be sorry though it should be the last. If, as we have been informed, they have a large surplus over, we should recommend to the Committee the very sensible proposal of using it to pay off the Borough debt or throw it into the voluntary fund for the water scheme which would do far more good for Crieff than anything that is likely to be done by perpetuating customs that neither civilisation nor true progress desire should be perpetuated and which would likewise save a squandering of a large amount of money uselessly for the sake of a very childish piece of amusement.

The games, inaugurated under very favourable circumstances last year and so far as numbers were concerned proved such a success, are this year likely to surpass even last year's games. Last year being the first year as a matter of course, the arrangements were somewhat defective, but this year these defects have been entirely corrected.
Everything connected with the comfort and sight-seeing of the public has been carefully studied, and the bill of fare is, we believe, of the most complete kind, presenting a programme of proceedings equal, if not surpassing any other of the Highland Gatherings in the county.

It might however be a matter for consideration by the Committee hereafter whether or not the very large sum of £24 for prizes for bagpipe music might not be done away with and a band competition substituted in its stead. For not a single person, except a few enthusiastic Highlandmen, cares a single farthing for such music.

Probably the largest and most brilliant assemblage ever seen in Crieff was that which well nigh filled the Market Park . . . now one of the most fashionable assemblies of the Autumn season in Scotland. . . . there were from 9,000 to 10,000 . . . drawn from all ranks of society. . . a very large representation of English visitors.
This calls for explanation . . . considering that Colonel Williamson took an active interest in trying to stop the parachute descent at the games, which every man and women of feeling and sense condemns, it does look, without any evidence to the contrary, that this removal of the Lawers crest is an attempt to fire out the gallant Colonel for his praiseworthy efforts to stop a dangerous amusement which we feel sure is not likely to be attempted again.

A German paper recently had an article on the manners and customs of the Scot who is apparently almost as wonderful a barbarian to the Hun as he is to the Cockney.
The Scots, says the writer are "a simple frugal people, the majority of whom are engaged in hunting the deer . . . . . . . and in fishing." They are "intensely religious," and every year hold Highland gatherings, which are "barbaric festivals attended by the most astonishingly primitive exercises." One of the favourite competitions at these gatherings is "to dance on red hot swords," and we are told that in order to drown the "wild cries" which escape the dancers, it is the custom to play the bagpipes vigorously.
WAR PREPARATIONS Describing putting the shot and caber tossing the writer states that the former test "shows beyond doubt that the Scottish were preparing for the war, " the shot being almost as heavy as a shell and the practice enabling the Scottish regiments to dispense with trench mortars! The training and skill in tossing the caber enabled these regiments also, easily to bridge the St Quentin Canal from a distance!

From the neighbouring castles had come many noble ladies daintily clad in silks and laces, and accompanied by their menfolk in their tartans of their clans. But undoubtedly the feature of the day was the presence of the popular young Duke of York, who spent a considerable time at the Games. Very shortly before two a hearty cheered betokened his arrival , and he appeared inside the enclosure with the Earl of Ancaster. Healthily tanned with the strong air of our Scottish moors and wearing the kilt of the Hunting Stuart, he looked every inch a real Hielan' Chieftain.

Crieff Games, like the advent of a New Year, to some people in years past was simply an excuse for taking a dram - and sometimes a good one at that. As a result of over indulgence a number generally awoke the following morning, with aching heads and empty pockets, as guests at the headquarters of the local police.
We must be getting a more sober community, however, for although the Games Day came and departed as usual last Saturday the police cells remained empty. Perhaps, however, the reason was that the police were more charitable in their outlook on human frailty than they used to be, and that instead of hauling drunks to the police cells as was won't to be the case on a Games night, they "turned the blind eye" so to speak, or gave a friendly help in a homeward direction.

Crieff gave a wonderful welcome to the Queen of the Netherlands, Queen Wilhelmina, on Saturday when Her Majesty attended the old established and popular local Highland gathering. It was probably the first time Her majes had had e rience of this most typica form of a Scottish sports meeting, and the only regret is that the Queen did not see the games under more favourable conditions, as rain fell heavily through a characteristic Scots mist during the afternoon.

The 1950 Crieff Highland Gathering, held in abeyance for 11 years, and the result of over a year's planning, has come and gone and the Directors of the event received a resounding vote of confidence from the record crowd of 9,300 Crieff inhabitants, Strathearn people, County people and visitors from overseas who disregarded early morning rain and heavy afternoon showers by crowding into the newly reconstructed arena. It was a noteworthy act of loyalty to the old Crieff Games and nearly 50% of the attendance were the inhabitants of Crieff. As one Crieff exile remarked: "It was well worth 4,000 miles of a journey to see the gathering in full svving again."