PICTURES: Fencing course organised by Mick Skelly of Ullapool-based Historical European Martial Arts Highlands (HEMAH) at Maryburgh Amenity Centre in Dingwall proves popular
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A course in Dingwall which demonstrated the art of historical fencing was a success with eight people taking part according to the organiser.
It aimed to provide an introduction to oriental sword combat – with a Highland perspective – was held at Maryburgh Amenity Centre last Sunday.
Mick Skelly, from Historical European Martial Arts Highlands (HEMAH) which is based in Ullapool, led the course and said the day went well.
He said that he received some positive feedback and there was also interest in a follow up session. He said: “I had covered a very wide range of areas and connected practice in both Eastern and Western martial arts traditions, adding in some history.
“Some people loved this but some would have preferred to keep to pure physical practice. Some people were really tired by the end of the day, but they seemed happy with the overall content.”
He was helped by Reuben Mowbray, who is also a member of the Ullapool group and pretty experienced in the competitive dimension of Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA), during the day.
Participants learned about the basics in relation to actual combat as well as sparring with foam covered practice swords as these were considered to be the safest.
Mr Skelly said: “Even so we still wore fencing masks and protective gloves, as you cannot be too careful.
“I brought a wide range of relevant swords with some Western swords for comparison. People got to handle the actual swords in order to get a feel for the real thing.”
He is hoping to set up a second group in the Easter Ross area and, following a recent article in the Ross-shire Journal, he received one expression of interest.
"A few people from the course were keen to be contacted regarding a HEMA group in the Inverness/Dingwall area," he said.
"Our intention remains to start a HEMA group in the east, near Dingwall and Inverness, either later this year or probably in 2023."
• Anyone who is interested in HEMAH should contact Mr Skelly either via email at mick.skelly@outlook.com on 07443 604693. He asks for no text messages.
