Propataireachd

Propataireachd is the name of two traditional games played in Uist, Scotland. The first is a throwing game like quoits or pitchers. Large stones, called props, are set on end about twenty yards apart, and two to six players toss two flat, well balanced stones each, either singly or in picked sides. Play runs to an agreed score, usually twenty one, with three points for knocking a prop down fairly, one point if a player's pitcher lies nearer the prop than any other, and one point if the other pitcher lies nearer than any of the opponent's, a way of scoring not found elsewhere. The second game, also called leagail shaighdear, meaning felling the soldier, is played on the same principle as skittles. Two equal sides, usually of about seven, each stick a prop in the ground and throw two stones apiece at the opposing props, and the side that fells all of its opponents' props wins. The name is built on the English word prop.