See you at the games!

How wonderful to have our gatherings and games back again

Welcome back old friends, we have missed you so much. And by that we don’t just mean the thousands of people who will attend a traditional Highland games this summer; we mean the games themselves. These are not just dates in a calendar where people turn up for a bit of fun. Highland games and gatherings are much more than that. The modern Highland games and gatherings are, in the main, Victorian and Edwardian interpretations of the ancient Highland games at the heart of clan gatherings and Highland culture. Way back then, when a clan gathered it was an important political and social statement; councils took place, men were mustered, everyone bonded with their extended families and clan. It was only natural the entertainment had a competitive edge to find the strongest and fastest and the most gifted artistically in music and dance. All the better to find the finest warriors, messengers and entertainers to serve the clan chief. That competitive element can still be seen whether you are tossing the caber, playing a piobaireachd or dancing the Seann Triubhas - a tree trunk, classical bagpipe music and casting off the hated trousers that the English made you wear. It cannot be said how much the cancellation of games days during the years of the Covid pandemic really hurt communities; these events go to the very heart of who we are. Today’s modern games are just as much about socialising as in days of old. Highland games bring communities together and after two years of social distancing we all need to get a bit more social. A games day is about saying hello to your neighbours and a chance to meet people you hardly see all year. They are about a community working together and the small army of volunteers who are already hard at work putting in the hours arranging and organising to make sure each games day is a success this summer. So go along and join in. There will be plenty of novelty races and fun contests if you are not sporty or musical. Say hello to old friends, make new ones and support the many aspects of local life by supporting tea tents, home-baking stalls or sales tables - all held to boost funds for good causes and organisations. It’s so good to have our games days back.

Helensburgh & Lomond Highland Games Saturday June 4

Helensburgh and Lomond Games committee is delighted to announce the games are returning from Covid on June 4 2022 with support from Event Scotland. The games are unique in that the event is linked to two clans, the Colquhoun and the MacAuley, whose chiefs share the duties of chieftain of the games. Traditional competitions such as the dancing and athletics are on show along with the ‘heavy’ events like tossing the caber. Spectators can join in by competing in a variety of events for old and young at the games which are held at Helensburgh Rugby Club grounds.

Glengarry Highland Games Saturday July 2

Join in the 50th Glengarry Highland Games taking place on July 2. Having been sorely missed for the last two years, the oldest Highland Games on record - originally established in 1815 - will return as a spectacular day out for the whole family.

Go along and prove your mettle in one of the exciting competitions. No previous experience required. If you are looking for locally-made crafts and gifts, enjoy a walk around the exciting stalls and attractions.

There is something for all ages. Indulge in a diverse offering of Highland food and drink and get together with friends and family for this special day out. Everyone is welcome from 11am at the Invergarry Shinty Field along the A87 - for satnavs: PH35 4HG. Free parking is available and entry tickets can be bought on site or through the website glengarrygathering.org.

Morvern Games Saturday July 16

Morvern Games and Gala Week is gearing up for a spectacular year in 2022, with a record number of events throughout the week.

Event start with Morvern Highland Games on Saturday July 16 at Knock Park, Lochaline. Our Highland Games have been hailed one of the ‘most scenic Highland Games in Scotland’ with breath-taking views over the hills of Mull and Morvern and across the Sound of Mull.

Especially for our visitors from Mull, we will be providing a shuttle bus from the ferry up to the games field. There will be children’s sports, adult athletics, heavy events, novelty races, inflatable fun, food, drink and craft stalls, pipe band, chainsaw carvings, live music in the beer tent from ’Treshnish’ and the popular wife carrying race. It’s a fun filled day for everyone, attracting people from all over the world.

We have more than 50 events in the week following games day with a timetable full of activities to suit all ages – live music, duck races, afternoon teas, clay pigeon shoots, Highland banquets, nature, heritage and herbal walks, dog agility, distillery tours, bingo, indoor bowls, quiz nights, mad hatters tea party, buggy walks, treasure hunts, water activities, film nights, rock painting, outdoor tapestry weaving, song and stories of St Kilda, yoga, Highland Hustle, wildlife photography, allotments open day, the Kiel Church flower festival, creative journalism, darts, forest bathing, ceilidhs, Gaelic singing, tour of Lochaline Sand Mine, water sports, shinty, rodeo race night, tag rugby, ephemeral eco art, open water swimming, the big and small Morvern Run, finishing with the survivor’s dance on Saturday July 23 in Lochaline Village Hall.

Inveraray Highland Games Tuesday July 19

Held in the grounds of Inveraray Castle, Winterton Park, Inveraray Highland Games are a great family day out. The games celebrate our rich culture and heritage with field and track events, piping, Highland dancing competitions and heavyweight events including the world championships for tossing the caber. You will also find a good selection of local Scottish food and drink stands as well many trade and charity stalls.

Games day starts with a parade from the town to the games field with Inveraray Pipe Band at 10.45am prompt. It takes around 15-20 minutes. By then, the piping, Highland dancing and track events will be under way, continuing throughout the day until around 4.30pm5.30pm. The heavy events start around 11am and continue throughout the day with the World Caber Tossing Championship around 3.30pm.

Mull Highland Games Thursday July 21

The Mull Highland Games club was formed in 1923. Many famous athletes, pipers and dancers have graced the games field, including Arthur Rowe, Geoff Capes, Bill Anderson and

Dixie Ingram. Mull Highland Games retains a community spirit; it is less impersonal than many of the larger games. As it was then, it is run not for profit by volunteers. It is also the case that islanders see themselves in a brighter light than the dull glow of others.

Mull is home to several clans with the pre-eminent one being MacLean of Duart. The Chief is Sir Lachlan MacLean of Duart and Morven, a huge supporter of and hereditary Chieftain to Mull Highland Games.

Taynuilt Highland Games Saturday July 23

The Taynuilt Games are pleased to be back this year. This event has always had a reputation for being friendly games, welcoming foreign tourists from far and wide as well as people from throughout Scotland and the UK.

Taynuilt Highland Games has run since 1859 and has only been halted during times of war and crisis. The games have great events for everyone to join in, from climbing the greasy pole to throwing the Nant Stone, a huge boulder taken from the bed of the nearby river.

The march through the village to the games field is always a wonderful sight.

Southend Highland Games Saturday July 23

There are bigger Highland games with larger crowds, but is there another Highland games where people have this much fun or visitors are made to feel so welcome? The tiny village of Southend, on the tip of the Kintyre peninsula, holds its games in the afternoon and into the evening.

There are all the traditional field events, piping and dancing and a range of senior and field events with cash and voucher prizes. Southend always places an emphasis on children’s events.

Bute Highland Games Saturday August 20

Everyone involved at Bute Highland Games is thrilled to be back this year on Saturday August 20, the 75th anniversary year, after a two-year absence because of the Covid pandemic. There is also delight on Bute and beyond that the games are returning.

The organisers’ heartfelt plea is, on the day, take care and be Covid aware.

Those attending the games are asked to consider buying admission tickets in advance online.

This will reduce contact with gate people and reduce the need for cash exchange, thus helping to keep everyone concerned safe. Please see the BHG website: www.butehighlandgsmes.org for details.

You can also contact the organisers or leave a message on the website.

Bute Highland Games is happy to be described as the ‘family friendly games’ so why not enjoy an amazing family day out on the beautiful island of Bute, recently described in the Sunday Times as one of the best places to live in Scotland.

Cowal Gathering Thursday August 25 – 27

The event will feature a full programme including the World Highland Dancing Championships, the Cowal Pipe Band Championship and the Cowal International Heavy Athletics Championship.

Live music fans will be well catered for as The Gig at the Gathering returns to rock the Stadium on Cowal Gathering Friday night, before some of Scotland’s best-known traditional bands return on Cowal Gathering Saturday to the Live Music Tent.

Ronnie Cairns, chairman of the Cowal Gathering, spoke of his excitement that the 128-year-old gathering will be live this year and said: ‘This is the best possible news and I can’t wait to welcome competitors and spectators from across the world through the gates of Dunoon Stadium this August.’

For more details visit www.cowalgathering. com or email info@cowalgathering.com

Glenurquhart Highland Games Saturday August 27

For more than 70 years, the people of Glenurquhart have striven to create Highland magic for spectators and competitors.

Today it enjoys traditional events performed by heavyweight athletes – throwing weights and hammers and tossing the caber.

In addition, there is the Glen Challenge, hill race, track running for adults and children, solo piping and the popular tug o’ war.

Join them on the fourth Saturday in August and enjoy the vast range of events and a select number of trade stands will cater for your shopping needs.