Highland Games and Highland Gatherings 2018
From the months of May through to September, society across Scotland partakes in these games, which include heavyweight events like the caber toss, stone put and the Scottish hammer throw.
In general the Highland Games and Gathering season starts in May and finishes in September however some events go out with these months. The Highland Games are now celebrated the world over with events in America, medicines4all.com online eu, Asia and the rest of the planet.
Keep up to date by following us on social media.
A video guide to Scotlands Highland Games
Highland Games and Gatherings coming soon.
Events:
Running
Solo Piping
Light Field
Highland Dance
Contact Details:
Alex Gargolinski (Secretary)
Ben Ouhr, Lochearnhead, Perthshire, FK19 8PT
01567 830231
alexgargolinski@hotmail.com
The Inverness Highland Games will take place at Bught Park Inverness on Saturday 21st July 2018 commencing at 11am. Founded in 1822 the Inverness Highland Games is one of the most spectacular traditional gatherings staged in Scotland and is one of the highlights of any visit to the Highland capital city of Inverness.
For more information about our upcoming events and the 2018 Inverness Highland games don’t forget to visit our programme.
The Halkirk Highland Games, a traditional and spectacular Scottish sporting event established in 1886, is held in Caithness in the far North of Scotland, near to Thurso and the famous end of the road landmark of John O’Groats. It is always held on the last Saturday in July and attracts crowds of up to 3,000.
The 2018 Games will be held on Saturday 28th July 2018.
The Games is the premiere sporting event in the North of Scotland. The prize money of over £20,000 is one the best in Scotland and attracts the country’s best amateur and professional competitors.
There are nearly 100 events packed into an afternoon and it is the Scottish version of a mini Olympic Games! There are normally dozens of competitors from all over the country and often from abroad. The “Heavies” are the kilted strongmen who toss massive wooden cabers, throw scots hammers and weights and putt the shot. A sight not to be missed. There are pipers, Highland dancers, track and field athletes, cyclists, clay pigeon shooters and children, all competing for top prizes. Spectators are kept informed of all the action by both our roving commentator and announcer. Surrounding the
Welcome to the internet home of the Lochcarron Highland Games. “The Friendly Games” held in beautiful Wester Ross in the North West Highlands of Scotland.
Lochcarron Highland Games feature the traditional mixture of heavy events, track and field plus highland dancing and piping displays (these are not competitions).
The Games Committee are very grateful to the Macpherson Family who have kindly allowed us to use their ground at Attadale Estate.
Thank you for visiting this site – we hope it gives you a flavour of our ‘friendly games’ and look forward to seeing you at the 2018 games. We wish everyone, participants and spectators alike, an enjoyable afternoon out.
These games are run under the rules of the Scottish Highland Games Association, the official body that controls all heavy events. We receive NO public money and cover all our expenses with the help of our generous sponsors both large and small.
Welcome to the Tomintoul Highland Games – The Friendly Games
Visit one of Scotland’s longest running Highland Games, showcasing traditional heavy and light events, highland dancing, piping competitions and lesser known entertainments like tilt the bucket and barrel racing. Held on the 3rd Saturday in July every year, for over 175 years!
146th Airth Highland Games
Saturday 22nd July 2017
Gates Open 9 am to 6 pm
Est.1871
Come to Airth Highland Games and experience one of Scotland’s oldest, most traditional highland games! Thousands of visitors come each year to experience the unique friendly atmosphere of the Games whilst being surrounded by the picturesque setting of the River Forth and Ochil Hills.
Cheer on our many competitors as they compete for their titles. Watch our highland dancers, our solo pipers, our heavy athletes and track competitors as they battle it out. Why not even get yourself involved in our Smiddy Stone Challenge or our Tug-O-War?
You can also enjoy our local pipe band, children’s entertainment, craft stalls, local foods, refreshment tents, fantastic fairground and much more. There’s something for everyone and a day you won’t forget!
Events:
Running
Cycling
Heavy Weights
Wrestling
Light Field
Highland Dance
Celebrating 126 years in 2018
The Games
A taste of something Scottish for everybody. A full programme of Light and Heavy Events, Massed Pipe Bands, Highland Dancing, Hill Races, fun for the entire family and much more. Visitors can take part in the Overseas Race – an opportunity to participate in a Northern Highland Games.
Join us
Whether you are a competitor in one of our many events, live in the area and looking for the perfect day out for the family, or have come to Scotland from any part of the world for your vacation, the Dufftown Highland Games is the ideal outting for you and your family.
Adult £6.00
Concession: £3
Local Events
Commencing 10.30am
Events nos 17 to 26 open only to persons resident in the County of Sutherland. Events nos 1,2 and 8 to 16 only open to persons resident in the Counties of Ross, Sutherland and Caithness.
Junior Piping (Confined to Ross. Sutherland & Caithness)
1st
2nd
3rd
1) March (14yrs & under)
Sponsored by Dornoch Castle Hotel
£11
£9
£7
2) Strathspey & Reel (14yrs & under)
Sponsored by Dornoch Castle Hotel
£11
£9
£7
Junior Open Piping
3) March (14yrs & under)
£11
£9
£7
4) March (15yrs & under 18yrs)
£14
£12
£9
5) Strathspey & Reel (15yrs & under 18yrs)
Sponsored by Dornoch Castle Hotel
£14
£12
£9
6) Jig (15yrs & under 18yrs)
£14
£12
£9
7) Pibroch (17yrs & under)
Sponsored by Jail, Dornoch
£18
£16
£14
Junior Dancing (Confined to Ross. Sutherland & Caithness)
8) Highland Fling (12yrs & under)
£8
£6
£5
9) Sword Dance (12yrs & under)
Sponsored by Just Sew, Camore, Dornoch
£8
£6
£5
10) Seann Triubhas (12yrs & under)
Sponsored by Mackay’s Taxis, Dornoch
£8
£6
£5
11) Highland Fling (13yrs to 15yrs)
£9
£7
£6
12) Sword Dance (13yrs to 15yrs)
Sponsored by The Spar, Dornoch
£9
£7
£6
13) Seann Triubhas (13yrs to 15yrs)
Sponsored by The Spar, Dornoch
£9
£7
£6
14) Highland Fling (16yrs & over)
Sponsored by The Gift Shop Dornoch
£10
£8
£7
15) Sword Dance (16yrs & over)
Sponsored by the Gift Shop Dornoch
£10
£8
£7
16) Heilan Laddie (16yrs & over)
Sponsored by the Gift Shop Dornoch
£10
£8
£7
Junior Local Heavy Events
Under 18 years – for the Tommy Ross Shield
17) Putting The Light Ball
£10
£8
£6
18) Throwing The Light Hammer
£10
£8
£6
19) Putting The Heavy Ball
£10
£8
£6
Under 25 years – for the Gasghagaich Trophy
20) Putting The Light Ball
20 Sponsored by Mr & Mrs A Knight Dornoch
£10
£8
£6
21) Throwing The Light Hammer
21 Sponsored by MacDonald Associates Dornoch
£10
£8
£6
22) Putting the heavy ball
22 Sponsored by J M Campbell Electrician Dornoch
£10
£8
£6
Heavy Events (Confined to Sutherland)
23) Putting The Light Ball
£15
£13
£12
£6
24) Putting The Heavy Ball
Sponsored by The Eagle Hotel Dornoch
£15
£13
£12
£6
25) Throwing The Light Hammer
Sponsored by The Eagle Hotel, Dornoch
£15
£13
£12
£6
26) Throwing The Heavy Hammer
Sponsored by The Eagle Hotel, Dornoch
£15
£13
£12
£6
27) Throwing The WT By Height
Sponsored by Durrand Electrical Services, Dornoch
£15
£13
£12
£6
28) Tossing The Caber
Sponsored by Royal Dornoch Golf Club
£15
£13
£12
£6
Events
Running
Cycling
Heavy Weights
Solo Piping
Highland Dance
Special Events: Scottish 6400 Metres Cycle Championship. 4800 Metres Cycle Championship. 800 Metres Cycle Youth Championship. Pipe Band & Drum Major Co
Events:
Running
Heavy Weights
Solo Piping
Light Field
Hill Race
Highland Dance
As usual we have the spectacular sights of the Clan Macpherson Annual Rally and March to the Games. We expect to welcome many clansmen from all parts of the globe.
Events:
Running
Heavy Weights
Solo Piping
Light Field
Highland Dance
Contact Details:
M McBeath (Secretary)
29 Ladywood Drive, Aboyne, AB34 5HA
01339 886049
morag.mcbeath@btinternet.com
Events:
Running
Cycling
Heavy Weights
Wrestling
Light Field
Highland Dance
Downlaod Dancing Entry Form
Contact Details:
Sandy Nicol (Secretary)
44 Forth Park Bridge of Allan, FK9 5NT
01786 832682
sandynicol44@tiscali.co.uk
The Ballater Highland Games are held annually on the second Thursday in August in Monaltrie Park, Ballater and in 2018 the Games will be held on Thursday 9th August.
There have been Games held in Ballater since 1864 and, apart from the war years, the Games have continued uninterrupted until the present day.
Many famous athletes and champions have competed at Ballater. Today the events form part of the circuits comprising the Glenfiddich Heavy Events Championship and the Grampian Games Qualifying Championship, which encourages the younger athletes to participate in the heavy and field events.
Ballater Highland Games prides itself in having something for everyone, young and old alike. On Games Day there are a number of varied trade stands, together with a funfair for the children. On occasion, personalities are to be seen, and one memorable day a military 25 pounder was fired by a certain television presenter to signal the start of the Hill Race.
To complete the day, Beat Retreat by the Pipe Bands is planned for 7pm on the Church Green in Ballater.
Each summer the North-West Highland fishing village of Lochinver hosts the Assynt Highland Games. Also known as the ‘Friendly Games’, these take place in Culag Park on the second Friday in August, and provides a fun day for all the family.
You can visit the Craft & Produce tent or make your way around the field and watch the athletic events as well as various other displays and competitions including Piping, Fly-casting and Highland Dancing.
The Hill Race and Tug-of-War mark the end of the day’s events on the Games Field but Games Day would not be complete without the Dance held on Games Night at Lochinver Village Hall.
Surrounded by stunning scenery – unspoilt beaches and iconic mountains such as Quinag and Suilven – there is so much more to do while you spend time with us in Assynt. But be sure to make a note in your diary for Friday 10th August 2018.
Dundonald Highland Games is one of Ayrshire’s premier cultural events. It is unique in capturing traditional Scottish heritage and strong community spirit within the picturesque setting of Royal Dundonald Castle.
Admission to the event is completely free and offers a whole range of entertainment and activities including a traditional highland games with pipe band contest, drum majors, solo piping, highland dancing, battle re-enactment, heavy events, side stalls, massed pipe bands display and street parades.
Dundonald Highland Games takes place on Saturday 11th August 2018 at Royal Dundonald Castle and starts with a Street Procession at 12 noon.
Dundonald Games Week takes place during the week leading up to the highland games and includes a treasure hunt, 10km road race, kids’ fun run, pet show and 7-a-side football competition.
Events:
Heavy Weights
Tug-of-war
Highland Dance
We hold 2 Pipe Band competitions, Lothian & Borders Pipe Band Competition and an Open Competition. They run concurrently throught the day at all 4 grades.
We run 2 heavy events competitions, one for men the other for women.
Highland Dancing also takes place at all ages throughout the day. There may also be a tug-of-war event.
Gates open at 9 am with competitions starting at different times of the day.
Contact Details:
Stephen Govanlock (Secretary)
7 St Baldreds Road, North Berwick, EH39 4JY
01620 894196
stephengovanlock123@btinternet.com
Perth Highland Games is one of the most popular events in the Highland Games calendar, which runs from May to mid-September each year.
The Games include traditional Heavyweight events such as throwing weights and hammers and tossing the caber. In addition, there is Highland dancing, foot- and cycle races, solo piping and the very popular pipe band contest with large numbers of overseas bands often taking part.
A wide range of trade and craft stands will cater for your shopping and catering needs and there’s a fairground amusements area for children of all age
The 2018 Perth Highland Games will be held on Sunday 12th August. We’ll have the usual fantastic mix of piping, Heavyweight competitions, cycling and running, Highland Dancing, food and drink stalls, gift stalls, and much more.
We’re busy looking at possible venues and will be bringing you news about that very soon.
typical Highland Games Day programme
Times may vary and are subject to change.
12:30hrs
Coupar Angus Pipe Band
12:45hrs
Open piping Marches (main board)
Local Heavyweight
14:00hrs
Under 12 dancing
Under 16 dancing
Open Dancing
Open Heavyweights
28lb stone
16lb hammer
28lb weight for distance
Piping (Reels & Jigs) on piping board
15:00hrs
Coupar Angus Pipe Band
15:15hrs
Heavyweights Caber
Heavyweights 18yrs and under
16:00hrs
Children’s races
16:30hrs
Mount Blair hill race
Tug O’ War
Come and join Helmie the Helmsdale and District Games mascot on Saturday 18 August 2018.
This is a fantastic day out for all the family starting with the Local Heavy Events and the Children’s Mini Highland Games at 10.00 am in the Couper Park, Helmsdale. The piping and dancing competitions start at 10.30 am and 11.00 am.
The Games Parade from the village to the Couper Park starts at mid-day followed by the installation of Julian Innes as the Games Chieftain, the Official Opening and the Raising of the Games Flag.
There follows an afternoon programme of Highland Games heavy events, track and field events, Scottish Championship Hill Race, Pipe Band Parade, Tug of War, Trade Stands, Side Shows and various other fun events.
There is Live music in the Games Bar from 5.00pm followed by a Dance in the Marquee on Couper Park from 10.00pm.
The Official Home of Stirling Highland Games
Stirling Highland Games is one of the City of Stirling’s signature annual events welcoming visitors from around the world to central Scotland to see our traditional Highland games competitions.
Our games field is located behind Stirling Sports Village and offers spectacular views over to the Wallace Monument, Cambuskenneth Abbey and Stirling Castle. We have a full programme of traditional Highland games competitions on offer including Running, Youth Running, Cycling, Highland Dancing, Heavyweights, long jump and triple jump. We will also showcase several Piping Performances throughout the day.
We look forward to welcoming you on Saturday 18th August 2018 and have made sure there is plenty to see, do and taste. Our Traders Village will showcase a delicious range of food and coffee servers, craft and whisky stalls and activities to take part in. We also have an onsite bar so you can enjoy refreshments throughout the day whilst enjoying Games Day with friends.
Tickets can be bought at the gate on the day or at a discount in advance through our online shop.
Events:
Running
Cycling
Heavy Weights
Solo Piping
Light Field
Highland Dance
Getting to the Games
You can’t miss Oban. As a busy ferryport, it is signposted from all over Argyll. The Games Field however, is not as easy to find – unless of course, it is Games Thursday, when you just follow the crowd by joining in with the Stewards March. As the official start of the Games, it sets off around 10.30am from Argyll Square next to the harbour. Led by the gold medal winning piper, competing pipers and our President, the Duke of Argyll, it makes its way colourfully and loudly, to the Games Field.
THE OBAN GAMES
Every year, on the fourth Thursdayin August, the people of Argyll gather with family and friends in their central town of Oban. In a land as vast and remote as this, it’s a rare chance to meet new people and socialise; but above all to celebrate the skill, strength and endurance of the Highlander.
As one of Scotland’s premier Highland Games, world class challengers from across the globe flock to Oban to do battle; heavyweights with the caber, stone or hammer, lighter athletes on the track, field and hill. Amid the emotive skirl of the pipes and the flash of clan colours on kilts, the rich history and traditions of this noble people is told in Scottish music and dance
TIMETABLE
10.30am
March of the stewards led by a band formed of the competing pipers
10.45am
Presentation of the piping gold and silver medals
11.00am
Artie’s Tartan Tales
12pm
Artie’s Tartan Tales
12.30pm
Fun Races – Kilted, Veteran & Children’s Races (for non competitors)
1.00pm
Lunchbreak
Kintail Birds of Prey – Demonstration
Music by Oban High School Pipe Band
2.00pm
Artie’s Tartan Tales
2.45pm
Fun Races – Kilted, Veteran & Children’s Races (for non competitors
4.00pm
Presentation of Trophies
4.30pm
Pipe Band March off Field, back to town centre
2018 will once again bring a huge range of family attractions to the Cowal Highland Gathering, already one of the most spectacular highland games in the world.
With its mix of highland dancing, pipe bands, wrestling, heavy athletics, solo piping, drum majors, ceilidh, children’s entertainment, fun run and local food, there’s something for everyone at the Cowal Highland Gathering.
If you’ve never visited before and can only manage one day, then come on Saturday. Watch the top highland dancers in the world compete in the finals of the World Highland Dancing Championship, listen to the pipe bands battle it out in the Cowal Pipe Band Championship and cheer on the world’s best heavy athletes as they toss the caber. You can also catch top live Scottish music in the Ceilidh Tent. To round off the day, witness the spine-tingling salute to the Chieftain. The sound of 100s of pipers and drummers playing in unison will stay with you forever.
Events:
Running
Cycling
Heavy Weights
Solo Piping
Light Field
Highland Dance
Contact Details:
Angela Cunningham (Secretary)
2 St Ninian’s Wynd, Dunkeld, PH8 0AT
01350 727799
ajacunningham@outlook.com
Glenurquhart Highland Games include the traditional events performed by the heavyweight athletes – throwing weights and hammers and tossing the caber. In addition, there is the Glen Challenge, hill race, track running for adults and children, solo piping and the very popular tug o’war. A select number of trade stands will cater for your shopping needs.
Competitors should note that admission will be charged to the Games, unless they have an admission ticket.
What Are The Scottish Highland Games?
Highland games are events held throughout the year in Scotland and other countries as a way of celebrating Scottish and Celtic culture and heritage, especially that of the Scottish Highlands. Certain aspects of the games are so well known as to have become emblematic of Scotland, such as the bagpipes, the kilt, and the heavy events, especially the caber toss. While centred on competitions in piping and drumming, dancing, and Scottish heavy athletics, the games also include entertainment and exhibits related to other aspects of Scottish and Gaelic culture.
The annual Games, a blend of spectacle and fun, take place on the first Sunday after the first Saturday in September in beautiful Perthshire.
The games this year will be held on Sunday 3rd September at Bogles Field, Essendy Road, Blairgowrie. PH10 6QU
We are always open to comments and happy to answer any questions you might have, so feel free to get in touch via the Contact Us page.
Whether you’re a local visitor or a tourist from overseas, you’ll find a very warm Highland welcome awaits you.
A Bumper Day at Pitlochry Highland Games – to give you an idea of what to expect
The phrase “saving the best till last” is certainly one that can be attributed to Pitlochry Highland Games. The Recreation Ground once again provided a fitting finale to the 2014 Games season on Saturday.
An appreciative and enthusiastic crowd of over 6,000 surrounded the arena cheering every heavy, runner, cyclist, dancer, pipe band and probably the loudest for the tug o’ war teams. Commentator Colin Liddell informed everyone that this was the biggest assembly of competitors seen at any Highland Games in recent times, with almost 200 track and field athletes taking part, as well as a large contingent of dancers and the 19 Pipe Bands. For most of the day, all were bathed in warm autumnal sunshine.
Nowhere else on the Highland Games circuit does the crowd interact with the competitors as they do at Pitlochry. The spectators cheered as Lorne Colthart (Blair Atholl) again broke three ground records in the Local Heavy events, just as he did last year. They lifted 67 year old Sam Bates (Tullibody) over the line in the 800 metres to win his first race at Pitlochry in over 20 years of trying. They were on their feet again as they roared home the diminutive 10 year old Hannah Jordan (Clydesdale), who was competing at her first Games, as she hung on determinedly to hold off over 30 rivals in the girls’ 400 metres.
From the opening inter-schools relay to every throw of the shot, hammer and caber to the Massed Parade of the Pipe Bands, everyone received their share of appreciation.
There were record entries for all the track and field competitions. The Scottish Junior Jumps Championship, which was first held last year, again proved popular, with Ewan Bradley (Inverness) taking the overall title and SHGA Scottish Championship medal and the local Sir David Butter medal too.
In the dancing, Claire McLaughlin (East Kilbride) won the adult section, whilst Jillian Kennedy (Aberfeldy) won the PHGA Dancing League.
Entries for the Scottish Athletic Clubs junior relay championship have been increasing year on year. This year three heats had to be run, and the final saw the 1st & 2nd positions from 12 months ago reversed with the Innerleithen Runners quartet beating the team from East Kilbride.
Running at his local Games, Craig Robertson (Pitreavie AC) won the SHGA and Championship of the Highlands 1600 metres title for the sixth year in succession after a thrilling last lap battle with Robert Bough (Edinburgh AC).
The biggest track prize of the day goes to the winner of the Open 90 metres handicap and it was won for the second successive year by a female athlete, Chloe Mason (East Kilbride AC).
Sarah Ross (Pitreavie AC), who travels hundreds of miles on public transport to compete on the Games circuit, was rewarded with her fine win in the 200m final.
The 400 metres races have produced some of the closest finishes on the circuit this season and the Pitlochry instalment proved no exception when, after consulting the photo finish equipment, a dead heat was announced between Cumbie Bowers (Glenrothes) and Willie Bates (Tullibody).
Glasgow cyclist Stevie Jackson has had a great season on the Games circuit and that continued at Pitlochry where he won the 3,200 metres Championship of the Highlands.
The Youth’s cycle events saw Kyle Cartwell (Forres) win the 800 metres and Marco Caira (Markinch) the 1600m.
A big field of Heavy Event competitors thrilled the crowds all afternoon, and the PSPC Heavy League was won by Stuart Anderson (Lochearnhead).
The ‘save the best to last’ theme continued in the tug o’ war as, once again, the Pitlochry contest proved to be one of the best on the Games circuit, with the crowd who were at that part of the ground almost 8 deep enthralled and vociferous, watching until the final pull of that competition went to a close finish in the early evening, with Mount Blair emerging as winners.
The Pipe Band Championship saw a clean sweep for the local Vale of Atholl Pipe Band, winning the Grade 1 competition, the drumming competition and the marching and smartness of turnout parade sponsored by Edradour Caledonia.
Events:
Running
Cycling
Heavy Weights
Solo Piping
Light Field
Highland Dance