Highland games in Scotland

Some believe the roots of the Highland games date as far back as the 11th century. King Malcolm III needed a personal courier, so he called a foot race to the summit of Creag Chòinnich, near Braemar, in the hopes of finding the fastest runner. Many games still include a hill race, although the winner is no longer destined for a life of servitude!

The games evolved into a test not only of strength and stamina, but also of creative dance and music skills to keep kings, queens and clan chiefs entertained.

Highland games as we know them today have been celebrated around Scotland since the 1800s and regularly draw in enthusiastic crowds.

Amongst the most historic is the Braemar Gathering, which was awarded Royal Patronage by Queen Victoria and is still regularly attended by the reigning monarch and other members of the Royal Family.

Scotland's Highland games are usually one-day events taking place in outdoor spaces across the country. They feature traditional Highland sports such as the caber toss, tug o' war and the hammer throw, Highland dancing and music, and lots of family fun such as food and craft stalls and games.

Many events will also involve livestock events, parades and even best-dressed pet competitions. Some Highland games may continue into the night with more music gigs, ceilidhs and discos.

Our Highland games are so popular, that when Scots emigrated to other lands, they took the tradition across the world with them. Highland games have taken place in America since 1836, but also run in other countries such as Canada, Norway, New Zealand and Brazil. But there's no better way to experience them than in their original country!

Where are the Highland Games?

Though they may have started in Highland Scotland, the games these days stretch right across Scotland from the far north coast of the Highlands, out west to the island of South Uist, east to Aberdeenshire and south to Peebles in the Scottish Borders.

When are the Highland Games?

The Highland games events season begins in May with the Gourock Highland Games, it peaks in July and August with over 30 events each month, and comes to a close towards the end of September. Most Highland games events take place at the weekend, on either a Saturday or a Sunday.

There's plenty to do to fill the whole day, as you'll be watching the heavy events and Highland dancing, enjoying fun fairs and stalls and sampling delicious Scottish food and drink.

Heavy contests and field events

See competitors put their muscles to the test in the heavy contests, including the hammer throw and weight for height.

Competitors in the heavy events use a range of techniques to improve their chances of winning. One movement in the weight for height event goes by the somewhat surprising nickname of "the handbag technique", because the starting position is similar to where one would hold a handbag.

The Scottish Highland games' most iconic event, the caber toss, is rumoured to have stemmed from the need to toss logs over chasms. Nowadays it is judged on style rather than distance - competitors aim to flip a log weighing up to 11 stone so that it falls away from them in the 12 o'clock position. The length it travels is entirely unimportant.

Look out for the field events such as the hill race and cycling competition which test speed and stamina.

Scottish Highland Games training

Ever wondered how you would fare in a Highland games competition? Whether you're a local or a visitor to Scotland, people of all ages are invited to toss the caber, attempt the stone throw and other iconic heavy events. You can even try your hand at curling!

What events are in the Highland Games?