The Athletes and Athletic Sports of Scotland

126 ATHLETIC SPORTS OF SCOTLAND. In an experience of about twenty-five years at games in most counties ofScotland and afew in England, the writerknows of only one really well managed gathering—that at Aboyne under the superintendenceof Mr. W. E. Nicoll of Ballogie. There is never any competitorlate atAboyne; a few sharp lessons cured that. The timefor each competition to begin is duly posted, and spectatorsand competitorsknow it will be kept—a pleasant understanding for both parties. Crieff gathering takes a high place for methodical arrangement and punctuality. Braemar, perhaps the most talked of gathering, owing to its patronage by royalty, is the worst managed gathering in Scotland, and of late years first-class athletes, musicians, anddancers, have been con­ spicuous by their absencefrom Braemar. Inverness, taking all things intoconsideration, is the leading gathering in Scotland, although Luss is bidding strongly for the premier place. The great defects at Inverness are that toomuch work is put upon the secretary; and that muchof the management inside the ring is given to gentleman not on account of their fitness for the work but because they are leadingpatrons. In 1888 the caber com­ petition lasted so long that spectators and competitors were alike heartily wearied of it; with a competent judge the whole thing would have beenover ina third ofthe time,with decisions quite as satisfactory, if not more so. In 1891no one knew when any event was to come off,and there wasmuch confusion and want of method—at one time nothing going on, at another time excited cries forcompetitors, and eventhe menall out ready to compete only to be ordered in again as some new arrangement was made. ORDER OF EVENTS AND TIME-TABLE.— The following may be given as an outline of the order of events with the time necessary for carrying out a programme of twenty-five events :— Noon to 12 .30, hammer-throwing ; 12.30 to 12.35, short race; 12.35 to 12.50, long leap; 12.50 to1.20, stone-putting; 1.20 to 1.25, hurdle race;1.25 to 1.45, high .leap; 1.45 to 2.15, caber; 2.15 to 2.20, quarter-mile race; 2.20 to 2.35, hop, step, and