The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Game on for SUMMER
KENMORE
Known locally as the friendly games, the Kenmore Highland Games are always held on the evening of the first Wednesday in July.
Everyone is welcome to join in at this community Highland games, which feature Highland dancing, music from the Vale of Atholl Pipe Band and all the usual games and stalls.
Kenmore Pavilion and Sports Field,
July 3 www.kenmorehighlandgames.com
KILLIN
The annual games in the village of Killin feature a parade from the Falls of Dochart to the park, which takes place at 1pm.
Meanwhile the action in the traditional heavy events gets under way around 10am.
Piping events include piobaireachd, march, strathspey and reel and jig, while the hill race celebrates the tradition of runners who would have delivered messages for clan chiefs in days gone by.
Breadalbane Park, Killin, August 7 www.killingames.co.uk
ATHOLL & BREADALBANE
Part of the local agricultural show weekend, the action moves to Wade’s Park on the Saturday afternoon.
The Highland games begin with the arrival of the pipe band who march from the Square in Aberfeldy, over Wade’s Bridge and into the park.
Events include open Highland dancing competitions, piping, the hill race, tug o’ war and the carrying of the Menzies Stone. Wade’s Park, August 10 aberfeldyshowandgames.co.uk
PERTH
One of the bigger events in the Scottish Highland games calendar, Perth Highland Games is held at Scone Palace Parklands.
With all the traditional events, including throwing weights, hammers and tossing the caber on offer, the games also host a pipe band competition which attracts entrants from all over the world.
Add the dancing, foot and cycle
Everyone is welcome to join in at this community Highland games
races plus trade and craft stands into the mix and there is something to entertain every visitor.
Scone Palace, August 11 www.perthhighlandgames.co.uk
CRIEFF
Another huge event on the Highland games scene, Crieff Highland Gathering boasts a full programme of Highland games competitions, a showcase of piping performances plus the atmospheric Salute to the Chieftain and customary massed pipe bands finale.
The Glenturret Music Tent brings a festival feel to the gathering, with foodie treats available from the Taste of Tartan marquee.
Market Park, August 18 www.crieffhighlandgathering. com
strathardle
This year marks the 138th Strathardle Highland Games, an event that also includes an agricultural show.
Taking place at Bannerfield in Blairgowrie, there will be various Highland events such as the heavyweight competitions, dancing, and piping, which sit alongside vintage vehicle displays and the Home Industries Show.
There’s also a fairground to keep the children entertained along with the usual trade stands and refreshments on offer.
Bannerfield, Blairgowrie, August
24 www.strathardlehighlandgames. org.uk
Birnam
The last Saturday in August is the time to visit Birnam, as the beautiful Perthshire town comes alive for its Highland games.
Established in 1864, some of the best-known competitors on the circuit make their way to Birnam to test their mettle in Highland dancing, piping, cycling, track and heavyweight events.
Events peculiar to the Birnam games include The World Championship Haggis Eating Competition and The Kiltie Dash.
Birnam, August 31 www.birnamhighlandgames.com
Blairgowrie & rattray
Highland dancing, heavyweight and track events, and a hill race all provide healthy competitions, while the children will enjoy the chance to take part in their own mini Highland games.
Since 2013, The Ardblair Stones challenge has proved one of the most popular events at the games.
Competitors are challenged to lift nine concrete spheres weighing 18152kg on to whisky butts against the clock.
Bogles Field, Blairgowrie,
September 8. www.blairgowriehighlandgames. co.uk
pitlochry
The programme for 2019 isn’t very far removed from that of 100 years ago.
Highland dancing is to the fore, as are heavyweight events and solo and pipe band contests.
Local schoolchildren compete in the children’s races.
Look out for cycling events including Deil Tak the Hindmost, a multi-lap sprint where the last rider in each lap is withdrawn from the race until the final three are left to fight it out for the top spot.
Recreation Ground, Pitlochry, September 14 www.pitlochryhighlandgames. co.uk