Highland Games is an event that holds a special value in Scottish culture and is celebrated all over Scotland between May and September. These games are usually played wearing a men’s kilt. If you ever visit Scotland, then it is an event that you shouldn’t miss, as it helps you discover the great Scottish history, culture, and traditions.
The Highland Games event is a way of showing off the combination of Scottish and Celtic culture, which includes kilts, bagpipes, caber toss, hammer throw, and many other things. There have been some new additions to the Highland Games that might look a little out of place, but they are fun to watch and participate in. These games are not bound to Scotland only, but are also spread across various other countries like the USA, Canada, Australia, Ireland, etc.
Here is a list of all the activities and games that take place in the Scottish Highland Games:
Hammer Throw
The hammer throw that I’m talking about here is very different from the Olympic version. It features a heavy 22 lbs pure metal ball that is attached to a wooden bar. There are no special accessories like boots, gloves, etc., to help in throwing the hammer. The participants simply face the opposite side and throw the hammer, and the winner is the one who throws it the furthest. While playing hammer throw, people usually wear a tartan kilt.
Caber Toss
This game is included in the Scotland Highland Games from the very beginning. Even when we talk about Highland Games, the first thing that comes to mind is the caber toss. This game features a caber that is around 150 lbs heavy and 20 feet long. The contestant has to throw it as far as possible, and whoever does so, wins the competition. It may sound and look easy, but believe me, it isn’t! The amount of strength and stability required to even toss that thing is insane. Many people who take part in such competitions start preparing for it several months or even a year in advance.
Tug of War
This game is popular in each and every corner of the planet. Just like the hammer throw competition, this one is also an Olympic-level event and is composed of 15 players who show their strength against each other. It is a fun game to watch and participate in. It might look very simple, but it requires great strength and strategies to win the game. Some sports teams prefer wearing a Utility kilt while playing this game.
The name of this game says it all. It is a competition to see whoever gets to the hilltop first. The hill is not just a normal hill, but features different levels of obstacles and steepness to make the game a little more difficult and fun.
Highland Dancing
Even if you are not from Scotland, you would be familiar with what Highland Dancing is. This activity plays an important role in the Scottish Highland Games, and it may look easy, but it can be very competitive. The dance is performed while wearing the traditional highland dress. If you ever attend Highland Games, then don’t forget to watch the Highland Dancing because it is very amazing and includes fancy footwork that will impress you even if you are not a fan of dancing.
Bagpipes
Just like the Highland Dancing, the bagpipes are also a big part of the Highland Games. There are not only bagpipes, but also various drums, fiddles, and Gaelic harps. You will see people performing either solo or with a group of individuals. If you are a fan of bagpipes, then make sure to check out our range of bagpipes for sale that comes with amazing quality and great sound.
The kilt is the backbone of the Highland Games and is very popular all around Scotland. You will see almost everyone wearing a kilt at the Highland Games. If you plan to take part in any event, you must wear a kilt; otherwise, you won’t be allowed to participate in the competition. This is a strict rule set by the Scottish Highland Games Association. You will also see people wearing their clan tartan kilts. If you are planning your next visit to the annual Highland Games, make sure to grab a nice men’s kilt from our website.
These are just the most popular activities and competitions that take place at the Highland Games. There are many more that have not been included in this list to keep this article concise and easy to read. If you want to enjoy the true Highland Games experience, you need to attend one.
The history of the Highland Games dates back to the early 11th century. At that time, the ruling king Malcolm III held a foot race competition, and the winner became his courier. This event was held near Braemar, and now the Braemar Gathering is known as the biggest Highland Games event in Scotland, and even the Royal Family attends.
This competition helped the clan chieftains find the best people for their protection and safety. They also used it as a medium to find the best people for their household. The clan chieftains would appoint people who came first in the hill running race or those who were good at bagpipes and dancing.
Which Highland Games To Visit?
The Highland Games events take place all across the country, and each one is unique in its way and presents the local culture of that area. If you think it’s just a competition, then you are totally wrong because it’s a way to bring people together, have a good time, and enjoy the taste of Scottish culture, especially for foreigners. So, no matter which Highland Games event you attend, you will have a really good time.
The All-In-One Guide To Highland Games
Highland Games is an event that holds a special value in Scottish culture and is celebrated all over Scotland between May and September. These games are usually played wearing a men’s kilt. If you ever visit Scotland, then it is an event that you shouldn’t miss, as it helps you discover the great Scottish history, culture, and traditions.
The Highland Games event is a way of showing off the combination of Scottish and Celtic culture, which includes kilts, bagpipes, caber toss, hammer throw, and many other things. There have been some new additions to the Highland Games that might look a little out of place, but they are fun to watch and participate in. These games are not bound to Scotland only, but are also spread across various other countries like the USA, Canada, Australia, Ireland, etc.
Checkout: History of Popular Tartans
Table of Contents
Best Highland Games to Play
Here is a list of all the activities and games that take place in the Scottish Highland Games:
Hammer Throw
The hammer throw that I’m talking about here is very different from the Olympic version. It features a heavy 22 lbs pure metal ball that is attached to a wooden bar. There are no special accessories like boots, gloves, etc., to help in throwing the hammer. The participants simply face the opposite side and throw the hammer, and the winner is the one who throws it the furthest. While playing hammer throw, people usually wear a tartan kilt.
Caber Toss
This game is included in the Scotland Highland Games from the very beginning. Even when we talk about Highland Games, the first thing that comes to mind is the caber toss. This game features a caber that is around 150 lbs heavy and 20 feet long. The contestant has to throw it as far as possible, and whoever does so, wins the competition. It may sound and look easy, but believe me, it isn’t! The amount of strength and stability required to even toss that thing is insane. Many people who take part in such competitions start preparing for it several months or even a year in advance.
Tug of War
This game is popular in each and every corner of the planet. Just like the hammer throw competition, this one is also an Olympic-level event and is composed of 15 players who show their strength against each other. It is a fun game to watch and participate in. It might look very simple, but it requires great strength and strategies to win the game. Some sports teams prefer wearing a Utility kilt while playing this game.
Checkout: Best Tartan Kilts for Men
Hill Race
The name of this game says it all. It is a competition to see whoever gets to the hilltop first. The hill is not just a normal hill, but features different levels of obstacles and steepness to make the game a little more difficult and fun.
Highland Dancing
Even if you are not from Scotland, you would be familiar with what Highland Dancing is. This activity plays an important role in the Scottish Highland Games, and it may look easy, but it can be very competitive. The dance is performed while wearing the traditional highland dress. If you ever attend Highland Games, then don’t forget to watch the Highland Dancing because it is very amazing and includes fancy footwork that will impress you even if you are not a fan of dancing.
Bagpipes
Just like the Highland Dancing, the bagpipes are also a big part of the Highland Games. There are not only bagpipes, but also various drums, fiddles, and Gaelic harps. You will see people performing either solo or with a group of individuals. If you are a fan of bagpipes, then make sure to check out our range of bagpipes for sale that comes with amazing quality and great sound.
See also: Top 10 Facts about Robert Burns
Kilts
The kilt is the backbone of the Highland Games and is very popular all around Scotland. You will see almost everyone wearing a kilt at the Highland Games. If you plan to take part in any event, you must wear a kilt; otherwise, you won’t be allowed to participate in the competition. This is a strict rule set by the Scottish Highland Games Association. You will also see people wearing their clan tartan kilts. If you are planning your next visit to the annual Highland Games, make sure to grab a nice men’s kilt from our website.
These are just the most popular activities and competitions that take place at the Highland Games. There are many more that have not been included in this list to keep this article concise and easy to read. If you want to enjoy the true Highland Games experience, you need to attend one.
You May Also Like: Complete Guide To Wearing Kilts
Highland Games History
The history of the Highland Games dates back to the early 11th century. At that time, the ruling king Malcolm III held a foot race competition, and the winner became his courier. This event was held near Braemar, and now the Braemar Gathering is known as the biggest Highland Games event in Scotland, and even the Royal Family attends.
This competition helped the clan chieftains find the best people for their protection and safety. They also used it as a medium to find the best people for their household. The clan chieftains would appoint people who came first in the hill running race or those who were good at bagpipes and dancing.
Which Highland Games To Visit?
The Highland Games events take place all across the country, and each one is unique in its way and presents the local culture of that area. If you think it’s just a competition, then you are totally wrong because it’s a way to bring people together, have a good time, and enjoy the taste of Scottish culture, especially for foreigners. So, no matter which Highland Games event you attend, you will have a really good time.