Inverness highland games

Nobody knows when the first Inverness Highland Games were held.

The date of the first gathering on the banks of the River Ness by our ancestors has been lost in the mists of time and will forever remain a mystery. What we do know is that back in 1821 the Inverness Courier reported that fundraising was taking place in the town to revive those ancient Games and to give the Capital of the Highlands a Highland Games that its townsfolk could be proud of.

Thanks to the efforts of those early fundraisers, 180 years later, the City of Inverness Highland Games is firmly established as one of the largest and most enjoyable Highland Games in the North of Scotland.

A wonderful mixture of new attractions and traditional events ensures that the City of Inverness Highland Games is always one of the highlights of any summer in the Highlands. As usual the heart of the City of Inverness Highland Games will be the traditional Heavy athletic events, the Highland Piping competitions and the Highland Dancing competitions in Bught Park.

It is often said that records were meant to be broken at the Inverness Games and it is a fact that Bught Park Stadium has seen some wonderful moments over the years.

Most of the credit for that must go to the dedicated athletes, dancers and performers who have spent years perfecting their skills in these wonderful Highland events and the families, coaches, judges and club organisers who have supported them along the way. However some of the credit must go to the enthusiastic Inverness spectators who certainly know how to support their favourites.

The roars of encouragement for the youngsters taking part in the Mini Tug of War is just as loud as those given to the Heavies as they launched the caber and that is what makes Inverness so special. To really experience a Highland Games, you have come to Inverness and sample and become part of the atmosphere It is as simple as that. As usual the Inverness Highland Games has a commitment to and will be offering new and exciting attractions for you to enjoy.

As usual the City of Inverness Highland Games has a commitment to offering families new and exciting attractions to enjoy every year.

July
GLENGARRY HIGHLAND GAMES
Invergarry Shinty Field, Invergarry
13.00-17.00
A traditional Highland games with heavy, track and field events, hill race, children’s races, tug o’ war, Highland dancing and the Lochaber pipe band.  With children’s mini games, trade stalls and attractions.

July
INVERNESS HIGHLAND GAMES
Bught Park, Inverness
11.00-18.00
The biggest Highland games in the North of Scotland featuring the 2009 Masters World Championship with over 100 Heavies.

LOCHCARRON HIGHLAND GAMES
Attadale Estate, Strathcarron, Ross-shire
11.30-17.00
Traditional Highland games.

NEWTONMORE HIGHLAND GAMES
The Eilan, Newtonmore, Inverness-shire
12.00-17.30
Traditional Highland games with Highland dancing, piping, heavy events, track and hill race competitions, 5 pipe bands, shows, stalls, food stalls and licensed tent. Also featuring the Clan MacPherson gathering and a spectacular march to the Games.

DORNOCH HIGHLAND GAMES
Dornoch, Sutherland
10.30-17.00
Open piping, dancing, track & field events, heavy events, cycling, amusements and trade stalls.

August
MEY HIGHLAND GAMES
Queen’s Park, John o’ Groats
13.30-17.30
Traditional Highland games with heavy events, track & field events, tug o’ war, Highland dancing and junior piping.

August
STRATHPEFFER HIGHLAND GATHERING
Castle Leod, Strathpeffer
10.30-17.00
Full Highland gathering with heavy events, tug o’ war, caber, hill race, cycling, running, dancing, piping, charity stalls, side shows, a beer tent and catering.

August
GLENFINNAN GATHERING AND HIGHLAND GAMES
Jcobite Monument Field, Glenfinnan
11.30-17.00
A well established local event which adheres to the traditional sort of Highland games.

August
HELMSDALE HIGHLAND GAMES
Coupar Park, Helmsdale
10.00-17.00
Traditional Highland games.

August
GLENURQUHART HIGHLAND GATHERING AND GAMES
Blairbeg Park, Drumnadrochit
10.30-17.00
Highland games with heavyweights, track & field events, piping competitions, dancing displays, hill race, tug o’ war, a fun fair and stalls.

August
INVERGORDON HIGHLAND GATHERING
Recreational Playing Fields, Invergordon
10.30-17.00
Highland dancing, piping, light & heavy events, cycling, tug o’ war, pipe band, craft stalls, beer and tea tents and a funfair.

August
GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY HIGHLAND GAMES
Heathfield Park, Grantown-on-Spey
11.00-17.00
Traditional Highland games.

September
BRAEMAR GATHERING
Princes Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park, Braemar
09.30-17.00
Highland gathering.

September
INVERCHARRON HIGHLAND GAMES
Balblair Farm, Bonar Bridge
10.00-17.30
Traditional Highland games including piping, Highland dancing, heavyweight events, light field events, cycling, hill race and tug o’ war.