Scottish Traditions - The Highland Games

The Highland Games are a unique event in Scotland, and one of the most popular emblems of the country. There are events held across the country in spring and summer, which are an integral part of the local community, but are also a big draw for visitors from far and wide.

But what exactly are the Highland Games? What games are involved? And where can you get a taste of them? We dive into the exciting world of the Highland Games and answer these questions and many more in our guide to the Games.

The Highland Games are a celebration of Scottish culture and athleticism. There are Games held in various towns across Scotland (and even further afield), and the agenda for each event varies slightly.

However, they all include traditional Scottish music, including competitions in piping and drumming, as well as Scottish dancing. The main draw of the Games, though, is the sporting competitions, known as the heavy events. You might have heard of some of them, such as tossing the caber but don’t worry if not - we’ll go into more detail later!

Pipe Band

The Games have a long history, dating back to 1040. During that time, there were contests of strength, including running, jumping, throwing and riding to select the most able men to become soldiers and couriers.

The Games weren’t just about athleticism, though, and there was fierce competition between clan chieftains to have the finest pipers.

In 1746, the crushing of the Jacobite rebellion and the Act of Proscription banned Scottish dress, customs and gatherings for 40 years, and there were no Highland Games until the act was repealed in 1782 and customs were revived.

The Highland Games as we know them today date back to the 1800s, and with emigration of many Highlanders during the Highland Clearances in the 18th and 19th centuries, the tradition spread to other countries, notably North America.

Traditional Scottish Kilt

So, what actually happens at the Highland Games? Well, as mentioned, the focus is on the heavy events. These are tests of strength, athleticism and endurance, many of which have come to symbolise the Games. Watch out for these events:

The caber toss is the iconic symbol of the Highland Games, and you’ll find this event at every gathering around the world.

It involves the competitor throwing the caber - a full-length log, usually made from a Larch tree - into the air using both hands. The caber is stood upright, and the aim is to turn it over mid-air, with it landing upright, with the opposite end touching the ground.

The competition is judged not on how far the caber can be thrown, but on whether the caber lands in the 12 o’clock position, that is, does it land in line with where it originally stood?

The event is really something to behold, as the caber is typically around 19 feet tall and weighs around 79kg.

Caber Toss | NHSCOT

The hammer throw is a more recognisible event, and you can see a version of it in the Olympic Games. This competition sees contenders using their strength to whirl a metal hammer (a metal ball weighing around 22lb for men, or 16lb for women) attached to a long wooden pole around their head. The aim is to throw it as far as possible!

Hammer-Throw

Again, you might recognise this event from the Olympic Games, but it’s a favourite at the Highland Games too! The event tends to use a stone or rock instead of a steel ball, but the goal is the same: to throw it as far as possible, either from a standing position or with a short run-up.

Shot Put

Another popular heavy event at the Games, this sees competitors throwing a 4 stone weight (with a handle attached) over a horizontal bar, using only one hand. Think of the weight as something like a kettlebell, and you’ll get the picture. The aim of the game is to get the highest number of successful throws across the bar.
 

Weight for Height

You’ll find tug o’ war events at many Highland Games, and it’s always great fun to watch. Two teams of eight compete against each other, tugging on a rope, to pull the other team over the line.

Tug of War

Every year, we attend some of the best Highland Games but with over 100 Highland Games held every year across Scotland, mostly - as you would expect - in the Highland region of the country, it is impossible for us to be present in all of them. Nevertheless, that means there are plenty of events for you to choose from, no matter which area you’re visiting - these are some of the best.

Braemar Highland Games | 2014

The Braemar Gathering is one of Scotland’s biggest and busiest Highland Games. The Games have been held in their present form in Braemar since 1832, and they draw crowds from all over the country - including the royal family! The games feature all of the heavy events, as well as pipe band competitions, a Highland Dancing competition and a hill race.

Aboyne Highland Games

The Games in Aboyne have been held since 1876, and is one of the best-loved Highland Games in Scotland. The event is a celebration of Scottish tradition and culture, featuring the heavy athletic events, dancing competitions, a hill race and more.

The Inverness Games date back to 1822, and there’s plenty to see and do at this popular event in the capital of the Highlands. The heavy events are a highlight, with games for men and women. The piping competitions are also well worth a watch, as is the traditional Scottish dancing.

Inverness Highland Games

If your time is limited, then we recommend Stirling Highland Games for a taste of the traditional Highland Games experience without travelling to the north of the country. As well as the heavy events, piping and dancing, there is also an Arts and Crafts markets showcasing local products, and an Activities Challenge area for everyone to get involved.

Stirling Highland Games

Pitlochry, a pretty town in Perthshire, has held a Highland Games since 1852. It’s usually the last Games of the season, and there’s a huge amount to keep you entertained throughout the day. As well as the heavy events, there’s dancing, piping, cycling and running events.
 

Have you attended the Pitlochry Highland Games? Get in touch with your stories!

Pitlochry Highland Games

Bridge of Allan Highland Games

Nestled between Stirling Castle, the beautiful Ochil Hills and the National Wallace Monument, you can find the Bridge of Allan Highland Games. Its traditional cultural and sporting packed programme, with over 160 years of history, attracts between 8,000 - 10,000 people every year. Some of the highlights include heavyweight competitions, highland dancers and more than a thousand pipers and the main ring always seems to be buzzing with multiple activities surrounded by an enthusiastic crowd of locals and visitors from around the world.
 

We love a day out at Bridge of Allan Highland Games and you can read more about the games and the events of the day on a separate blog.

Loch Lomond Highland Games

Started in 1967, the Loch Lomond Highland Games are one of the top three Highland Games in Scotland hosting the Scottish Highland Games Association World Heavyweight Championship. Other than heavy weights, you can also watch numerous field and track events, as well as enjoying highland dancing and a variety of stalls and exhibitions.
 

We were lucky enough to attend the 2018 Loch Lomond Games, we enjoyed watching the tug of war the most, it made us want to show our muscles and compete next time, find out more about our experience at the Games.

North Berwick Highland Games

Despite it being a relatively young celebration when compared with the other games in this list, the North Berwick Highland Games now attract crowds of over 15,000 people. First held in 1996 and situated just 25 miles from the centre of Edinburgh, the event holds 2 pipe band competitions, heavy weights competitions and highland dancing.
 

This is a very local games for ScotlandShop, the day is filled with great pipers and an endless amount of talented Pipe Bands. Read our interview with Peter Shaw, Vice President of North Berwick Highland Games.

Although Scotland is famous for the Highland Games, there are Highland Games all over the world, from the USA to New Zealand, all of which promote Scottish culture and traditions.

Grandfather Mountain Games

The Grandfather Mountain Highland Games in North Carolina is one of the biggest events outside of Scotland, and has been held since 1956. The Games have all the elements of a traditional Scottish Highland Games, but with a typically North Carolina twist - there’s plenty of barbeque food to enjoy!

Glengarry Highland Games

Further north, the Glengarry Highland Games and the Fergus Highland Games are some of the most popular Highland Games in Canada, and they are true celebrations of Scottish heritage, with plenty of Scottish competitions, music, dance, sports, pageantry and tradition.
 

Discover more about Glengarry Highland Games from our interview with the Director of Bands, Gilbert, and now that this event has become a regular in the ScotlandShop calendar come and see us in the tartan tent if you are in the area.
 

Quechee Scottish Games & Festival

Quechee Scottish Games has been around for 45 years, taking many different forms along the way. It brings Scottish heritage to Vermont and gives people the opportunity to discover their clan and connect to their lineage. And it’s not only locals, the Games bring people from across the globe to celebrate Scottish culture. The Games is home to the traditional events like piping and dancing, but also features Clan Societies, Sheep dogs and of course a beer tent.
 

We are excited to be attending this year for all the festivities and we will try very hard to stay away from the beer tent. (No promises)

This year Liz Shaw and her dogs Poe and Cap will be showcasing a Sheepdog demonstration. Liz is from Morse Brook Farm in Vermont, she will be explaining the the history and training of Border Collies along side a live demonstration to entertain the crowds. Chele from our Albany store will be there with a tent full of tartan so we need to make sure Poe and Cap head home with a tartan collar and lead!

Join us at Quechee Scottish Games & Festival

CNY Scottish Games & Celtic Festival

CNY Scottish Games celebrates its 80th games in 2023 and to mark such a special occasion they have adopted Douglas Modern as their featured tartan for the event. Clan Douglas played a significant role in the founding of the games. While the origin of the games was traced back to the 1930’s it wasn’t until after World War II that the festival was formally established.

CNY Scottish Games celebrates its 80th games in 2023 and to mark such a special occasion they have adopted Douglas Modern as their featured tartan for the event. Clan Douglas played a significant role in the founding of the games. While the origin of the games was traced back to the 1930’s it wasn’t until after World War II that the festival was formally established.

In 1945, Clan Douglas #232, Order of the Scottish Clans was formed, the members were focussed on restarting their Scottish games in the area. They quickly found a new venue for the event at Onondaga Lake Park. In 1984, many of the older clan members struggled to continue to run the Games, with this they created a non-profit corporation ‘The Central New York Scottish Games’, along with the help from members of the Scottish community.
 

This year we are not only excited to be a vendor for the very first time and catch some of these fantastic events but we are excited to meet some Heilan Coos! Spring Flight Farm are attending with two very special Highland Cows. Definitely a fun photo opportunity!

Spring Flight Farm's Highland Cow

Currently the games are held at Long Branch Park, at Onondaga Lake Park, featuring all the traditional events from piping to heavy athletics, providing a day filled to the gunnels with Scottish celebrations. One amazing thing we love about the CNY Scottish Games is their passion to include children in the event, they have their very own 'Kid's Games'. In the weeks leading up to the games there is just a fantastic team who help the kids learn new talents to help them compete at the fun Kid's Games.

Capital District Scottish Games | Dancers

One of the criteria in choosing the location for our first US store was that we had to have a Highland Games nearby to adopt. Not even half an hour away every September Altamont Fairground is overwhelmed with all things Scotland and the Capital District Scottish Games takes pride of place, and we are very proud to be there with our tent full of tartan, including of course the county’s very own Albany tartan. There is a rich history behind the event, beginning with the mighty MacRae clan. The MacRaes lived in the area and organised the first Scottish Games in the Region in 1939.

They then kept the games going at the Locomotive Club in Schenectady until 1966. Unfortunately, there was a 12 year break where there were no games. The Schenectady Pipe Band then revived the Capital District Scottish Games in 1978 and helped it grow into the games we know and love today, at the Altamont Fairgrounds. And of course it is this very same pipe band who we will be eternally grateful to as they played when we opened our Albany store, the very first time our new landlord heard the skirl of the pipes!

The Games will feature the traditional athletic games, including the caber toss, hammer throws and stone puts. You can find out more about how to train to be a champion with female athlete Janine Tessarzik who frequently competes at Altamont on our interview on our Youtube channel. There will be a plethora of colourful Scottish dancers performing on stage, and of course no games are complete without pipe music. To compliment all these exciting events is a variety of food, featuring some traditional Scottish meals, like haggis.

New Hampshire Highland Games | Heavy Weight Competitor

The New Hampshire Highland Games may be one of the biggest Games in America now, however it wasn’t always that way. You would be surprised to learn that it started out as a Clan picnic in 1975, just one year and a lot of planning later the initial Highland Games was formed. You may know the Games as NHSCOT, NHSCOT are not only the host of the New Hampshire Highland Games but also spread awareness of Scottish history with their annual Heritage Lecture Series.

With the opening of our Albany store in 2022 we were delighted to become and sponsor and vendor at the Games and this event is now a regular in our calendar, so much so that we have dedicated an entire blog to it! We are also proud to offer the New Hampshire tartan on our website and you can show your support and have any item made up in the beautiful greens and purples crossed with red.

Alongside this, NHSCOT also hosts a lively music festival named Beltane and helps celebrate Hogmanay the Scottish Way. The NH Highland Games and Festival take place at the beautiful Loon Mountain Resort providing a mountainous backdrop to the epic events. The games will feature everything from Scottish music, dance, food, and fun to heavy athletics, sheep dog trials, and crowd-favourite, massed bands.

Breadalbane Scottish Gathering and Games 2024

The Annual Breadalbane Scottish Games and Gathering is held in the village of Broadalbin, NY. The village's name derives from the Breadalbane Region in Scotland. It has links to the MacDonalds of Glencoe and Campbells of Argyle and Breadalbane.

Run by the Great Sacandaga Brewing Company on their premises, the event features competitive games in the back grass area, Scottish music, dancers, bagpipes, vendors and fun!

In 2024, the games are on Saturday 25th May and we are delighted to share we will be there. There will be at least one blacksmith, bagpipers, fly fishing, St. Andrew’s Society Albany and Schenectady, Second Act Spirits, and Empire Throwing Club will start their games at 9am that day.

For more info, please visit our Events page.
 

Photo by Blaze Photography

Did you know that our local Crieff Highland Gathering is twinned with the Ohio Scottish Games & Celtic Festival held at Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds every year? Run by The Scottish American Cultural Society of Ohio, the Games take place over 2 days and include all the traditional piping, heavy athletics and highland dancing competitions as well as the Kirkin' of the Tartan and Kilted Mile on Saturday morning and many other brilliant attractions. Particularly of interest has to be the "How to start a Scottish clan" workshop! On June 28th, 2008 the proclamation to become Twin/Sister games was signed by Mike Mihalic, President of the Ohio Scottish Games and then on August 17th by John McWilliam, the Chairman of The Crieff Highland Gathering. 3500 miles may separate the two events but a strong partnership has been formed and ideas and experiences can be shared across the pond.

Ceud Mìle Fàilte! Ten Thousand Welcomes from The Saint Andrew’s Society of Maine, and from us as we attend our very first Maine Highland Games and Scottish Festival. Our tartan tent is heading to the 45th Annual Games which will take place at Thomas Point Beach in Brunswick. The line up of events is phenomenal with both the traditional Heavy Athletics and Youth Athletics, Massed Pipes and Drums, Scottish Dancing Demos by Laura Scott (with the opportunity for participation so don't forget your dancing shoes), Scottish Story Telling by Dr Emily McEwan, Sheep Herding, rousing Celtic music from 7 Nations and Cetlica Nova and the list goes on. This promises to be a great day!

Another highlight of the day has to be Chef Margaret Salt McLellan. Book yourself into the VIP luncheon to truly enjoy her talents. Margaret trained at The Culinary Institute of America and Le cordon bleu in London and then went on to gain a degree in nutrition from the University of Florida. If you get up close then you can spot a tattoo of a lobster with the words "giaomach" underneath on her left forearm, merited given her title of Lobster Chef of the Year in 2008.

In 2024, the Litchfield Hills Highland Games is bringing Highland Games back to Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, CT. The day will feature heavy athletics, pipe bands, whisky tasting, faux haggis toss, a bicycle ride, vendors, clans and societies and so much more. 

Lime Rock Park is one of the oldest racing tracks in the US and has been operating since 1957. Built on a former sand and gravel quarry, Lime Rock Park has hosted major events such NASCAR, American Le Mans Series, Trans AM and World Challenge and has been pivotal in the history of American motorsports.

We were delighted to recently design the Lime Rock Park tartan which was inspired by the family tartan worn by legendary Scottish racing driver, Jim Clark as well as the Park’s primary brand colours. 

We're looking forward to being at the Games with our tartan tent this year! 
 

Waipu Highland Games

The Waipu Highland Games in New Zealand have been held since 1989, and were established by a group of Scots who emigrated to New Zealand following the Highland Clearances. You couldn’t possibly get further away in the world from Scotland, but these games have all the classic elements of a traditional Scottish event!

Jakarta Highland Gathering

There are even Highland Games held in Indonesia! The Jakarta Highland Games are an annual event showcasing Scottish culture, with plenty of events to celebrate other cultures as well.

Dressing up is a big part of going along to any Highland Games and the kilt, in particular, is symbol of tradition and competition! The Scottish Highland Games Association states that all events competitors must wear a kilt when they compete.

Whether you are competing or spectating, it is always more fun to make sure you look the part, while of course being ready for any weather thrown at you.
 

Emily and members of Clan Buchanan | Luss Highland Games 2019

Forbes Weathered Men's Kilt

The must-wear item for any Highland Games is the kilt! We offer the traditional 8 Yard 16oz Heavyweight Kilt, in over 500 tartans. Or if you are worried about the heat, our 4 Yard Kilt in our 10oz fabric is the perfect option of you, however if you are competing you may want to re think being a 'true Scotsman', and add a pair of shorts on underneath. Don't forget to pop on your sporran, pull up your socks and straighten your flashes.

Fraser Hunting Weathered Kilt and Backpack

Many women also opt for the traditional kilt to celebrate the Highland Games. This classic kilted skirt is our preferred choice for the Highland Games due to the traditional cut and length. It can be paired with a jumper or t-shirt, or even a jacket, and comes in over 500 tartans! If the kilt is not for you, a tartan dress is another great option for your Highland Games event. However, if your style is better suited to an understated pop of tartan, you can simply accessorise and with a traditional tartan sash or scarf.

Of course a day out at a Highland Games is a family affair and in recent years there has been a great increase in children being part of the games and even competing, so of course they need their own tartan attire! We offer Boy's kilts and matching accessories, not to mention our great range of girls kiltsand dresses. With the vital option to choose Polyviscose fabric, meaning the kilts can be machine washable. An absolute necessity for those muddy fields. The whole family can be matching with dog accessories available in matching tartans.

Dress your Family in Tartan

Now you know all about the Highland Games, you’re ready to enjoy all they have to offer! Take a look at ScotlandShop’s range and get kitted out for the Games today! Don't forget to see if our tartan tent is popping up near you soon on our events page.