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  1. Home
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  4. Highland Games

Highland games in Scotland

Highland games are where ancient contests of strength, endurance and speed meet music and dance in a vibrant celebration of Scottish culture and community. Held in towns and villages across Scotland from late spring to early autumn, each games has its own character, traditions and warm welcome. 

Pipe band marching at Ballater Highland Games

© VisitScotland / David N Anderson

How to experience a Highland games

Ballater Highland Games

The Highland games season begins in May, peaks in July and August with events taking place almost every weekend, and finishes in September. Most games held on Saturdays or Sundays.

Although the games originated in Highland Scotland, today they take place across the country, from the north Highlands and islands to Aberdeenshire, Perthshire, Argyll and the Scottish Borders. No matter where you are in Scotland during the summer, you’re likely to find a Highland games nearby.

Highland Games events in 2026

  • Luss Highland Games, 4 July 2026
  • Forres Highland Games, 4 July 2026
  • Inverness Highland Games, 11 July 2026
  • North Uist Highland Games, 17 July 2026
  • Burntisland Highland Games, 20 July 2026
  • Inveraray Highland Games, 21 July 2026
  • South Uist Highland Games, 22 July 2026
  • Mull Highland Games, 23 July 2026
  • Dufftown Highland Games, 25 July 2026
  • St Andrews Highland Games, 26 July 2026
  • Newtonmore Highland Games,1 August 2026
  • Dundonald Highland Games, 1 August 2026
  • Bridge of Allan Highland Games, 2 August 2026
  • Isle of Skye Highland Games, 5 August 2026
  • Brodick Highland Games, 8 August 2026
  • Inverkeithing Highland Games, 8 August 2026
  • Perth Highland Games, 9 August 2026
  • Ballater Highland Games, 13 August 2026
  • Stirling Highland Games, 15 August 2026
  • Crieff Highland Gathering, 16 August 2026
  • Glenisla Highland Games, 21 August 2026
  • Glen Urquhart Highland Games, 22 August 2026
  • Cowal Highland Gathering, 27-29 August 2026
  • Birnam Highland Games, 29 August 2026
  • Peebles Highland Games, 5 September 2026
  • Braemar Highland Games, 5 September 2026
  • Pitlochry Highland Games, 12 September 2026
  • Atholl Highland Gathering, 30 May 2027
  • Gourock Highland Games, May 2027 dates TBC
  • Helensburgh and Loch Lomond HG, June 2027 dates TBC
  • Strathmore Highland Games, June 2027 dates TBC
  • Ceres Highland Games, June 2027 dates TBC

Explore more Highland games and gatherings across Scotland

Discover more on the Scottish Royal Highland Games Association website 

Scottish Highland Games: Explained

The Scottish Highland games are a centuries-old tradition and  remain a vibrant part of Scottish culture today. Discover what happens on the day of this unique spectacle, from the Chieftain’s Parade and Highland dancing, to thrilling heavy events like the caber toss, and more. 

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Highland games have been a part of Scotland's culture for hundreds of years and are just as popular today as they've ever been.

Guide to the heavy events

Learn about the heavy events before you go to a Highland games – one of the most iconic and defining parts of the day. You might even want to try them yourself! Watch competitors test their strength in events such as the caber toss, hammer throw, tug o’ war and weight for height, while hill races and cycling competitions test speed and stamina.

How to caber toss

Reckon you could toss a caber at a Highland games? We got Scottish strongman Jamie Barr to show us how it’s done at Balgonie Castle in Fife.

How to shot put

Think you’ve got what it takes to throw a stone in the shot put? We got Scottish strongman Jamie Barr to show us how it’s done.

How to weight for height

We got Scottish strongman Jamie Barr to show us how competitors throw a 56lb weight up in the air at Balgonie Castle in Fife.

Music, dancing and traditions

Nairn Highland Games

© Iain Fairweather

Music 

One of the highlights of many Highland games is the massed pipe bands, when pipers and drummers march and play in unison. Many games also feature solo piping competitions and traditional Scottish music performances in a range of styles including the Pibroch – the classical style of piping. Scottish music also takes centre stage at Piping Live! and the World Pipe Band Championships, where it is celebrated alongside Scottish dance and culture.

Highland dancing competitions

Highland dancing 

Highland dancers perform traditional Scottish dances such as the Highland Fling and the sword dance, competing individually and in teams in traditional tartan attire.  The Cowal Highland Gathering is famed for drawing in the best performers from around the globe as they compete in the Scottish and World Championships.

The Atholl Highlanders tug of war

Clans and chieftains 

Some Highland games are part of wider clan gatherings featuring parades, music, dancing and heritage events. 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 o' war. Each games also has a ceremonial chieftain who leads the proceedings and opens the games. 

Stirling Highland Games

Highland games facts

The Highland games have a long history and many unique traditions. Here are some surprising pieces of Highland games trivia you might not know.

  • Some believe the origins of the Highland games date back to the 11th century, when King Malcolm III organised a race near Braemar to find the fastest runner.
  • The games later developed into events where warriors demonstrated strength and skill to impress clan chieftains.
  • Several games have boasted famous celebrity chieftains, including singer Susan Boyle and actors Ewan McGregor and Dougray Scott.
  • By the 1800s, the Highland games had largely fallen into decline. Queen Victoria helped revive the tradition after granting the Braemar Gathering Royal Patronage.
  • The Braemar Gathering is still regularly attended by the monarch and members of the Royal Family.
  • Haggis hurling began as a practical joke in the 1970s but is now a popular event at many Highland games. There is even a World Haggis Hurling Association dedicated to the sport!

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