Highland games return to Winter Springs

It's one of the most unusual spectacles in sports, watching a telephone-pole-sized log flying through the air amid a roaring crowd, but for one weekend on the fields of Winter Springs' Central Winds Park, that moment in time belongs to celtic athletes such as Ching McKee. They train year-round for their spot on the grand stage of the Central Florida Scottish Highland games, hoping for a chance to grasp a chain of iron, a wood pole or a 200-pound rock in their hands and throw, flip or carry it farther than the next man.

On Jan. 16-17, the fields are theirs, as the familiarly esoteric sights, sounds and smells of Scotland permeate the air of Winter Springs, taking some back in time, others back to family, all compelled by a Celtic tie that binds.

The games officially begin Saturday, but a whiskey tasting on Friday night will kick things off with a bevy of single malt Scotch direct from the old country itself. After that, it's a full weekend of food, drink, music, mirth and all things Scottish.

Visit http://www.flascot.com/schedule.php for more information.