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From Wikipedia, 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.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highland_games.
Official Highland Games
websites/ The Big Seven
Braemar Gathering
Aberdeenshire/ September 1st week
The Gathering, always held on the first
Saturday in September, is world famous for its
friendship and hospitality which we look
forward to sharing with many visitors to our
Park beneath the encircling heather clad hills.
Has attracted spectators of about 20,000
including Royalty.
www.braemargathering.org.
www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/braemar/braemar.
Bridge of Allan Highland
Games by Stirling/ August 1st week
Bridge of Allan is one of Scotland's premier
Highland Games attracting crowds of between
10,000 and 15,000. The games field is situated
in a spectacular setting nestled between
Stirling Castle, The Ochil Hills and the
Wallace Monument.
www.bofagames.i12.com.
www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/bridgeofallan/bridgeofallan.
Burntisland Highland
Games by Edinburgh/ July 3rd week
These games are the second oldest in the world
dating back to 1652. They were originally held
on St Peter's day (29th June) but have changed
over the years to the third Monday of July. The
market day tradition is kept alive with a large
number of market traders descending on the down
for the day with bumper crowds (50,000 in 2004)
attending the games, market and summer
fairground which also visits Burntisland during
the summer months. Situated 21 miles north of
Edinburgh.
www.burntislandhighlandgames.co.uk.
www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/burntisland/burntisland
Cowal Highland
Gathering Dunoon/northwest of
Glasgow/August 4th week
The Cowal Highland Gathering is one of the
largest and most spectacular Highland
gatherings in the world. Cowal attracts more
than 3,500 competitors many from
Scottish Communities-in-exile from throughout
Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand and South
Africa. The event regularly attracts over
20,000 spectators.
www.cowalgathering.com.
www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/dunoon/dunoon.
Loch Lomond Highland
Games Balloch/ July 2nd week
The Games were started in July 1967 by a group
of local businessmen who were keen to promote
the area and restore its popularity with local
people and tourists alike. Thirty eight years
on we appear to have achieved that aim and are
now numbered amongst the top three or four
Highland games in the country, with
approximately 10-15,000 visitors coming through
the gates each year. www.loch-lomond-highland-games.com.
www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/balloch/balloch.
Lonach Gathering
Strathdon/ Aberdeenshire/ August 4th week
Join us every year on the 4th Saturday in
August for Scotland's friendliest Highland
Games. The Lonach Gathering, which often pulls
a crowd of over 10,000 in Strathdon is,
according to Secretary George Thomson, "part of
life up here, handed down through your family.
It's traditional: no parachutes, no
motorbikes." It also, however, regularly draws
Billy Connolly, who has a home in the area, and
his showbiz friends. Situated 42 miles west of
Aberdeen.
www.lonach.org.
North Berwick International
Highland Games by Edinburgh/ August 1st
week
The Games continues to attract considerable
support from the local community but with more
and more visitors coming every year, an
attendance of 15,000 has become the norm. Many
visitors appreciate not only the spectacle of
the Highland Games itself but also the
opportunity to visit the charming seaside town
of North Berwick. Situated on the coast of the
Firth of Forth just 25 miles from the centre of
Edinburgh.
www.northberwickhighlandgames.co.uk.
www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/northberwick/northberwick
Official Highland Games
websites
Abernethy Highland
Games Nethybridge by Inverness/ August
2nd week
As well as the usual dancing, piping, and field
& track events, the fun morning programme
for children has proved to be of enormous
appeal, making a full day of a visit to the
Games, and a “must” for families.
Towards the end of the programme, the tug
o’ war has enjoyed a rebirth as an
inter-village competition and no doubt the
“Nethy Bridge Trophy”, and serious
prize money will be even more fiercely
contested next year. Situated 36 miles
southeast of Inverness.
www.nethybridge.com/highlandgames.
Aboyne Highland
Games by Aberdeen/ August 1st week
The village of Aboyne is situated in the heart
of Royal Deeside approximately 30 miles from
Aberdeen on the A93. The attractive village has
evolved since being laid out in 1676 around the
large village green, where the now famous
Highland Games are held annually in August,
attracting visitors from all over the
world.
www.aboynegames.com.
www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/aboyne/aboyne.
Airth Highland Games
by Falkirk/ July 4th week
Airth Highland Games has a long history, going
back to 1871, in fact, it may be that their
origins are even further buried in the mists of
time than that for there is a local legend that
they stem from the games and sports played by
Prince James's rebel soldiers camping in Airth
in 1488, on their way to the battle of
Sauchieburn. Situated 30 miles northwest of
Edinburgh.
www.airthgames.co.uk.
www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/airth/airth.
Argyllshire Gathering and
The Oban Games Oban/ August 3rd week
Every August, Oban is the place to be to enjoy
a highland games that is unsurpassed by any
other. In the Track and Field events and in the
Dancing many of the competitions are for
Scottish championship titles and in the solo
Piping, the competitions are for World
championship titles. These are the pre-eminent
piping competitions in the world and the only
ones of this standard still to be held in the
great outdoors.
www.obangames.com.
www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/oban/oban.
Bathgate & West Lothian
Highland Games by Edinburgh/ May 4th
week
Bathgate & West Lothian Highland Games
takes place on the last Saturday in May in
Meadow Park, Bathgate and has done so since
1973. The games consists of a pipe band
contest, solo piping competition, highland
dancing competition, hill race and heavy
athletics. Held at Bathgate 21 miles west of
Edinburgh, 28 miles east of Glasgow.
www.bathgatehighlandgames.org.uk.
www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/bathgate/bathgate.
Bearsden and Milngavie
Highland Games by Gasgow/ June 2nd
week
The Bearsden and Milngavie Highland Games
attracted over 10,000 visitors in 2007 and it
will be bigger and better for 2008. The
Highland games will be held on the 14th June
2008, and they will provide a great Scottish
day out for family, tourists, sports people,
shoppers and funseekers. Held at Milngavie 7
miles north of Glasgow.
www.bearsdenmilngaviehighlandgames.com.
www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/milngavie/milngavie.
Birnam Highland
Games Perthshire/ August 4th week
The Birnam Highland Games are traditional
Scottish Highland Games held amidst stunning
Perthshire scenery. The games have been held
annually since 1864 and we warmly invite you to
come along next year to experience for yourself
the fun and culture that has kept the Games so
popular for over a century. Situated about 60
miles north of Edinburgh, 70 miles north of
Glasgow.
www.birnamhighlandgames.com.
www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/dunkeld/birnam.
Bute Highland Games
Island of Bute/Rothesay/ August
Getting here is easy with dependable regular
ferry crossings. From the north and western
isles, travel to Colintraive ferry terminal for
the ferry to Rhubodach. Then by road to
Rothesay. If coming from the east, head for
Wemyss Bay on the north Ayrshire coast (road
and rail) and take the Cal Mac ferry to
Rothesay...simple.
www.butehighlandgames.org.uk.
www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/bute/rothesay.
Callander Highland
Games by Stirling/ July 4th week
Don't miss the fun or the grand opening parade
- arrive early, better still come on Friday and
stay overnight to enjoy Callander before the
games start. Situated 15 miles northwest of
Stirling.
www.incallander.co.uk/highgames.
www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/callander/callander.
Ceres Highland Games
by Dundee/ June 4th week.
Ceres Games are the oldest free games in
Scotland, always held on the last Saturday of
the month of June, every year (except for war)
since the charter to hold the Games was given
to the people of the village by Robert Bruce in
1314 in recognition of their support at the
battle of Bannockburn Situated 15 miles south
of Dundee, 43 miles north of Edinburgh.
www.ceresgames.co.uk.
www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/ceres/ceres.
Crieff Highland
Gathering Perthshire/ August
The first Crieff Highland Gathering was in 1870
and has occured every year since with the two
exceptions of 1914-18 and 1939-49 when no
gatherings took place. Situated 17 miles west
of Perth.
www.crieffhighlandgathering.com.
www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/crieff/crieff.
Cupar Highland Games
Fife/ July 1st week.
The Games are now an ‘Open’ event
under Scottish Games Association rules and are
included in the F.H.G.A. circuits. Situated 44
miles north of Edinburgh.
www.cuparhighlandgames.org.
www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/cupar/cupar.
Drumtochty Highland
Games by Montrose/Aberdeenshire/ June
4th week
If it is the fourth Saturday in June it must be
Auchenblae and the "Drumtochty Highland Games".
Top competitors attend and records are broken.
Held in the grounds of Drumtochty Castle in
Drumtochty Glen just 2 miles outside
Auchenblae, any visitor will agree there is no
better place to be on the fourth Saturday in
June.
www.drumtochtyhighlandgames.com.
Dufftown Highland
Games northeast July 4th week
A full programme of Light and Heavy Events,
Massed Pipe Bands, Highland Dancing and
Refreshments. Dufftown and District Games Ltd.
is registered with the S.G.A. the S.O.B.H.D.
and the S.A.F. Athletes who regard themselves
as amateurs may take part without affecting
their status. Enquiries are welcome. Situated
52 miles west of Aberdeen, 61 miles east of
Inverness.
www.dufftownhighlandgames.org.
www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/dufftown/dufftown.
Dundonald Games
Ayrshire/ August 4th week
At Royal Dundonald Castle in Ayrshire,
Scotland, Pipe Band Contest (Grades 1, 2, 3
& 4), Solo Piping Contest (Snr/Juv, March,
Strathspey and Reel), Highland Dancing and
Heavy Events. Entertainment from 12 noon, free
entry. Situated 12 miles northeast of Ayr.
www.dundonald-games.org.uk.
www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/troon/dundonaldcastle.
Forres Highland
Games by Inverness/ July
Forres is one of Scotland's oldest small towns,
and also one of its most attractive. Forres in
Moray is situated just off the A96 about 27
miles east of the Highland capital of
Inverness.
www.forreshighlandgames.fsnet.co.uk.
www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/forres/forres.
Glenurquhart Highland
Gathering and Games by Inverness/ August
4th week
Traditional Highland Games at Blairbeg Park,
beside Loch Ness at the village of
Drumnadrochit, where the Loch Ness monster
museum is situated and monster hunt boat
excursions depart from, 14 miles south of
Inverness.
www.glenurquhart-highland-games.co.uk.
www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/drumnadrochit/drumnadrochit.
Halkirk Highland
Games by Thurso/north Highlands/ July
4th week
Every summer, on the last Saturday in July, up
to 5,000 visitors and locals flock to the
village of Halkirk in Caithness (pop. 1,000)
for a day of traditional and spectacular
Scottish sport. They are guaranteed to be
enthralled in watching over 100 competitors,
many being national or world champions,
challenging each other for various championship
titles.
www.halkirkgames.co.uk.
Helmsdale Highland
Games north Highlands/ August 3rd
week
Nestling below Creag Bunillidh the traditional
Highland fishing village of Helmsdale is the
ideal base from which to explore Sutherland.
Situated at the mouth of the River Helmsdale
(from which it takes its name) it has a lot to
offer the visitor to this years Highland Games.
Situated 68 miles north of Inverness.
www.helmsdalegames.info.
www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/helmsdale/helmsdale.
Inveraray Highland
Games July 3rd week
The Highland Games consist of many events,
where traditional skills in Piping, Highland
Dancing and Athletics are demonstrated by
experts from all over Great Britain. Why not
come along and get involved in one of the
events. Situated 63 miles northwest of Glasgow.
www.inveraray-games.co.uk.
www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/inveraray/inveraray.
Inverness Highland
Games July 3rd week
Tulloch Inverness Highland Games and World
Highland Games Championships - one of
Scotland's largest Highland games. These games
are renowned for the quality of their heavy
event competitions. Spectators normaly are
about 4000 - 6000.
www.invernesshighlandgames.com.
www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/inverness/inverness.
Killin International
Highland Games July 4th week
Athletes from across the world come to Killin
for the games held at Breadalbane Park. Killin
is situated 36 miles north of Stirling.
www.killingames.co.uk.
www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/killin/killin.
Lewis Highland Games
Isle of Lewis/ July
The Lewis Highland Games at Tong, 3 miles north
of Stornoway, is becoming one of the major
summertime events on the unspoilt and uniquely
different islands of the Outer Hebrides, and is
rightfully gaining its place on the world
Highland Games competitors' circuit.
www.lewishighlandgames.co.uk.
www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/lewis/stornoway.
Lochaber Highland
Games Fort William/ July 4th week
Fort William is host to Lochaber Highland Games
on the last Satuday of July each year. The
Games are held on the field at An Aird and
enjoy a great backdrop of Ben Nevis and Cow
Hill. Fort William is situated 65 miles
southwest of Inverness, 103 miles north of
Glasgow.
www.lochaber.com/highlandgames/lochaber.
www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/fortwilliam/fortwilliam.
Lochcarron Highland
Games July 3rd week
"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). Lochcarron is
situated 62 miles west of Inverness.
lochcarrongames.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk.
www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/lochcarron/lochcarron.
Mallaig and Morar Highland
Games August 1st week
The Mallaig and Morar Highland Games are a
small but very popular and friendly games. The
Games always attract a wonderful mixture of
local people and people from all over the world
including Canada, Australia, America, as well
as across the U.K. and Europe. Mallaig is
situated 86 miles north of Oban, 104 miles
southwest of Inverness.
www.trosaraidh.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk.
www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/mallaig/mallaig.
Mull Highland Games
Isle of Mull /July
Held every year at Erray Park in Tobermory
during the month of July. Traditional Scottish
Highland Games.
www.mishnish.co.uk/mhg.
www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/mull/tobermory.
Nairn Highland Games
/August
Nairn is one of the largest amateur gatherings
in the North.The first Nairn Highland Games
took place 140 years ago in 1867. Nairn is
situated 16 miles northeast of
Inverness.
www.nairnhighlandgames.co.uk.
www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/nairn/nairn.
Newburgh Highland Games and
Coble Boat Race Fife/ June 3rd week
The town of Newburgh occupies a picturesque
setting on the south bank of the Tay estuary
just on the Fife side of the Fife/Perthshire
border. The games take place in a wonderful
natural amphitheatre in Mugdrum Estate
(courtesy of estate owners). The annual double
handed Cobble Boat Race takes place on the
river Tay the night before.
www.newburghgames.co.uk.
www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/newburgh/newburghfife.
Newtonmore Highland
Games August 1st week
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. Newtonmore is situated
in the Highlands of Scotland close to the
Cairngorm and Monadhliath Mountains , near the
resort of Aviemore , some 70 miles north of
Perth and 45 miles south of Inverness.
www.newtonmorehighlandgames.co.uk.
www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/aviemore/aviemore.
Peebles Highland
Games September
We consider our present Games to be among the
best non-championship events, providing a more
relaxed atmosphere at the end of the
competition season. Peebles is situated 22
miles south of Edinburgh.
www.peebles-highland-games.org.
www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/peebles/peebles.
Shotts Highland
Games by Glasgow/ June 1st week
Around forty pipe bands play for the West of
Scotland Championship and the Open Contest and
over 100 dancers take part in the Highland
Dancing competitions for five age groups.
Situated between Glasgow and Edinburgh.
www.shottshighlandgames.org.uk.
Skye Highland Games
Isle of Skye/August
The Games at Portree consist of Heavy Field
Events, Athletics, Piping, Highland Dancing and
Sailing, which will consist of a single race
for all classes of yacht.
www.skye-highland-games.co.uk.
www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/skye/portree.
Stirling Highland
Games July 2nd week
A great day out for all the family –
something for everyone to enjoy.
www.stirling-highland-games.co.uk.
www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/stirling/stirling.
Guides to most Scottish
Highland Games
Visit Scotland Highland
Games Calendar
There is a full programme of Highland games
across Scotland throughout the summer months.
Many are genuine community events and have
changed liitle down through the years. However,
there are a few which, because of scale or
celebrity, are widely regarded as the
highlights of the Highland Games
calendar.
www.visitscotland.com/library/highlandgamescalendar.
Scotland's Highland
Games
Scottish Highland Games in Scotland, Caber
Tossing, results, Message board, News section
and Links.
www.albagames.co.uk.
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