HIGHLAND GAMES CALENDAR 2017

Campbeltown Highland Games Saturday May 13 Campbeltown Highland Games will be held May 13 on the hospital field at Limecraigs, making it easy for locals and transport to reach. There is a small admission fee, but it’ll all be worth it to see local athletes doing the town proud. The fun kicks off at 11am with events including track and field, Highland dancing, heavy events, shot- putt, children’s entertainments and, of course, the ever popular beer tent. Helensburgh Highland Games Saturday June 3 The Helensburgh Games are linked to the Colquhoun and MacAuley clans, whose chiefs alternate the duties of clan chieftain. Traditional competitions such as the dancing and athletics are on show, with the heavies events such as caber tossing attracting competitors from all around the UK. The spectators can even get in the act by competing in race events for old and young alike, with prize money in play. The Helensburgh games started in 1889 with the modern version kicking off in 2008. It’s a highlight of the season for both locals and visitors, and in 2011 was featured on The One Show. Lorne Highland Games Sunday June 25 The fun- filled day is back again this year. Staged in Oban, at Mossfield Park, the games are locally known as The People’s Games. The games have all the favourite elements of a good Scottish Highland Games including caber tossing, hammer throwing and tug- o- war – all the action you’d expect from a top event. You can even take part in the track and field events or just relax and enjoy the Highland dancing competition or pipe band displays. There will be afternoon teas, a licensed tent, various attractive stalls and even the dog show is back. It is a family fun day out that everyone can enjoy. Kenmore Highland Games Wednesday July 5 The Kenmore Highland Games organised by the Kenmore and District Sports Association was started in 1972. Known locally as the ‘ friendly’ games, it welcomes everyone who cares to join in with this small community in their annual event. Held at the Kenmore Sports Field, events include Highland dancing, heavyweight events, piping competitions, open foot races and Throwing the Tirinie Stone – an almost spherical stone found on Tirinie Farm, Kenmore weighing 101lbs. Inveraray Highland Games Tuesday July 18 Inveraray Highland Games will be hosted this year on July 18. This is one of the big ones, held in the shadow of Inveraray Castle at Winterton Park. It features the world caber tossing championship so expect to hear accents from all over the world. His Grace the Duke of Argyll leads the parade to the games field through the Royal Burgh with Inveraray and District Pipe Band playing. There is also cycling and wrestling included on the packed programme. There’s so much going on and the events begin at 9am. Mull Highland Games Thursday July 20 Erray Park, Tobermory, has the Sound of Mull and the hills of Ardnamurchan as its backdrop making it a perfect place to hold Highland games. Events held include heavyweights, light field events and Highland dancing. The park is also a great place to begin – and end – a hill race with the pipe band playing and spectators cheering the runners home. Mull games always has a great atmosphere and that extends to the trip there are back on the ferry. Make sure you get your tickets booked in advance as the boats are always packed on games day. Taynuilt Saturday July 22 Who is going to make it to the top of the greasy pole and who is going to break the record for throwing the Nant stone? Taynuilt Highland Games will be held this year on July 22, hosting a variety of different events include piping, field, dancing and track. Taynuilt has a reputation for being a friendly games, attracting many foreign tourists. The organisers always encourage people to join in the competitions. The piping contest always attracts some of the best. The games begin at 11am and the march to the games field is lead by Oban Pipe Band.