It’s time to start practising your caber tossing and tug o’ war skills – the season for Highland Games is almost upon us. VisitScotland tells explains what you can expect at a Scottish Highland Games.
SPORTING PROWESS
Heavy contests, including the hammer throw and weight for height, see competitors putting their muscles to the test, while field events such as the hill race and cycling competition test speed and stamina.
Did you know that Baron Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympics, was so impressed by a Highland display he saw at the 1889 Paris Exhibition that he introduced the hammer throw, shot put and the tug o’ war to his competition? The former two are still included in the Olympics programme.
BAGPIPES AND DRUMS
For many, one of the most memorable sights of the Highland games is the massed bands, when hundreds of pipers and drummers from different groups come together to play and march in unison. Look out for the solo piping competitions too, where competitors play in a range of styles, including the slow, stately and complex Pibroch which is considered to be the classical music of the bagpipe.
HIGHLAND DANCING
Dancers give dazzling displays of fancy footwork in Scottish dances, such as the sword dance and the famous Highland fling. Competing for titles both solo and in groups, their colourful outfits and infectious energy will leave you in high spirits. The Cowal Highland Gathering is renowned for the quality of its Highland dancing, drawing in the best performers from around the globe as they compete in the Scottish and World Championships.
CLAN CELEBRATIONS
Highland games once saw clan members go head-to-head in fierce competition – and you’ll still see this enthusiasm when clans muster all their might in a tug-war. These days, clan attendance at games is more of a social and ceremonial affair. Some Highland games are part of a wider clan gathering – a celebratory get-together featuring parades, Scottish music and dancing, feasts, heritage events and much joviality.
Here are some of the Highland Games in our area:
JUNE 18
Oldmeldrum Sports and Highland Games, Pleasure Park, Park Crescent, Oldmeldrum. 10.30am to 4.30pm.
JUNE 19
Aberdeen Highland Games, Hazlehead Park, Aberdeen. 10am to 5.30pm. – CANCELLED
JUNE 25
Drumtochty Highland Games, Drumtochty Castle Grounds, Auchenblae. From 10.30am.
JULY 2
Gairloch Highland Gathering, Sands Caravan and Camping Park, Gairloch. From 10am.
Glengarry Highland Games, Invergarry Shinty Field, Invergarry. 1-5pm.
JULY 9
Forres Highland Games, Grant Park, Victoria Road, Forres. From 12.30pm.
Braemar Junior Highland Games, Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park, Broombank Terrace, Braemar. From 11.50am.
JULY 16
Tomintoul Highland Games, Public Park, Tomintoul. 11am to 5pm.
Lochcarron Highland Games, Attadale Estate, Strathcarron. 11.30am to 5pm.
Inverness Highland Games, Bught Park, Inverness. From 11am.
JULY 17
Stonehaven Highland Games, Mackie Academy Playing Fields, Stonehaven. From 11am to 4pm.
JULY 19
Inveraray Highland Games, Winterton Park, Castle Grounds, Inveraray, Argyll. From 10.45am.
JULY 20
South Uist Games and Piping Society Highland Games, Askernish Machair, South Uist. From 10am.
JULY 21
Mull Highland Games, Erray Park, Tobermory. From 10.30am.
JULY 23
Taynuilt Highland Games, Taynuilt Sports Field, Taynuilt. 11am to 5pm.
JULY 27
Arisaig Highland Games and Clan Donald Gathering, Traigh Farm, Arisaig. From noon.
JULY 29
Durness Highland Gathering, Shore Park, Durness. From noon.
JULY 30
Halkirk Highland Games, Halkirk Recreation Park, Bridge Street, Halkirk. From noon.
Strathconon Highland Games, Dalbreac Games Field, Strathconon, Muir of Ord. From noon.
Dufftown Highland Games, Mortlach Community Field, Hill Street, Dufftown. From 10.30am.
AUGUST 3
Isle of Skye Highland Games, The Skye Games Field, The Meall, Portree. From 9.45am.
AUGUST 5
Dornoch Highland Gathering, The Meadows Park, Dornoch. 10.30am to 6pm.
AUGUST 6
Aberlour Strathspey Highland Games, The Alice Littler Park, Aberlour. 12.30pm to 5.15pm.
Newtonmore Lowland Gathering, The Eilan, Station Road, Newtonmore. 10.30am to 5pm.
Aboyne Highland Games, Village Green, Aboyne. From 10.30pm.
AUGUST 7
Mallaig and Morar Highland Games, Lovat Memorial Field, Morar, Mallaig. From noon.
AUGUST 11
Ballater Highland Games, Monaltrie Park, Provost Craig Road, Ballater. Gates open at 10am.
Tain Highland Gathering, Glenmorangie Field, Tan. Local events from 11am, open events from 2pm.
AUGUST 12
Assynt Highland Games, Culag Park, Lochinver. From noon.
AUGUST 13
Abernethy Highland Games, Games Field, Nethy Bridge. 10am to 5pm.
Stewart Highland Games, Ballone Castle, Portmahomack, Tain. 2.30-5.30pm.
Strathpeffer Highland Games, Castle Leod, Strathpeffer. 11am to 5pm
AUGUST 20
Glenfinnan Highland Games, Glenfinnan. From 10am.
Helmsdale Highland Games, Couper Park, Helmsdale. From 10am.
Nairn Highland Games, Nairn Central Links, Nairn. From 12.30pm.
Bute Highland Games, The Stadium, High Street, Rothesay. 10am to 5.30pm.
AUGUST 25
Argyllshire Gathering, Mossford Park, Oban. From 10am.
AUGUST 27
Lonach Highland Gathering and Games, Bellabeg Park, Strathdon. Noon to 6pm.
Glenurquhart Highland Gathering and Games, Blairbeg Park, Drumnadrochit. Local events from 11am, open events from 1pm.
AUGUST 28
Grantown On Spey Highland Games, Heithfield Park, Grantown. From 11am.
SEPTEMBER 3
The Braemar Gathering, Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park, Broombank Terrace, Braemar. From 9.30am.
SEPTEMBER 17
Invercharron Highland Games, Balblair Farm, Lairg Road, Bonar Bridge. 10am to 5.30pm.
Visit www.visitscotland.com/see-do/events/highland-games/ for full listings.
