Plan your Central Scotland Highland Games trip

What’s the history of the Highland Games?

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

Did you know?

Highland dancing at the games was originally an all-male event, and it wasn’t until the late 19th century that women started to enter.

The Highland games were so impressive, that the founder of the modern Olympics, Baron de Coubertin, introduced the hammer throw, shot put and the tug o’ war after watching the Highland display at the 1889 Paris Exhibition. The hammer throw and shot put are still included to this day.

Haggis hurling began as a practical joke in the 1970s, but is now a popular event at many Highland games – there’s even a World Haggis Hurling Association dedicated to the sport! The current world record was set at the Milngavie Highland Games in 2011, when Lorne Coltart hurled a haggis at an impressive 217 ft.

What are the Highland Games?

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.

Highland Games events in 2026

Every Highland games event in Scotland has a unique character and tradition and many are held in simply stunning locations. Make new friends with the locals and other visitors as you enjoy our Scottish hospitality and watch a gripping spectacle of champions, with dancing, music and more.

Experience the Highland games in all its glory and enjoy the amazing atmosphere that the games offer.

Gourock Highland Games, 10 May 2026
Atholl Gathering, 24 May 2026
Luss Highland Games, 4 July 2026
Forres Highland Games, 4 July 2026
Inverness Highland Games, 11 July 2026
Mull Highland Games, 23 July 2026
Newtonmore Highland Games,1 August 2026
Bridge of Allan Highland Games, 2 August 2026
Brodick Highland Games, 8 August 2026
Inverkeithing Highland Games, 8 August 2026
Ballater Highland Games, 13 August 2026
Stirling Highland Games, 15 August 2026
Crieff Highland Gathering, 16 August 2026
Glen Urquhart Highland Games, 22 August 2026
Cowal Highland Gathering, 27-29 August 2026
Birnam Highland Games, 29 August 2026
Braemar Highland Games, 5 September 2026
Pitlochry Highland Games, 12 September 2026

Find a full list on the Scottish Royal Highland Games Association