The All-In-One Guide To Highland Games

Highland Games is an event that holds special value in Scottish culture and is celebrated all over Scotland between May and September. These games are usually played wear a men’s kilt. If you ever visit Scotland then it is a type of event that you shouldn’t want to miss because 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 and that 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. These games are not bound to Scotland only but rather spread across various other countries like USA, Canada, Australia, Ireland, etc.

Right below this line, you are going to see a list of all the activities and games that take place in the Scottish Highland Games:

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Hammer Throw

The hammer throw that I’m talking about here is very different from the Olympics version. It features a heavy 22 lbs pure metal ball that is attached to a wooden bar. You also don’t have special accessories like boots, gloves, etc to help in throwing the hammer. They just 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

It is a game that is included in the Scotland Highland Games from the very beginning. Even when we talk about Highland Games, the first thing that comes to our mind is the caber toss. This game features a caber that is around 150 lbs heavy and 20 foot long. The contestant has to throw it as far as possible and whoever does, 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 that take part in such competitions start preparing for it before several months or even a year.

Tug of War

It is a game that is popular in each and every corner of this planet. Just like the hammer throw competition, this one is also an Olympic level event and it is composed of 15 players that show their strength against each other. It is a fun game to watch and participate. It might look very simple but it requires great strength and strategies to win the game. There are sports team who prefer wearing a Utility kilt while playing this game. 

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Hill Race

The name of this game says it all. It is a competition to see whoever gets to the hill top first. The hill is not just a normal hill but features different level of obstacles and steepness to make the game a little more difficult and fun.

Highland Dancing

Even if you are not from Scotland, you’d 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 also are a bit part of the Highland Games. There are not only just 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 checkout our range of bagpipes for sale that comes with an amazing quality and great sound.

Kilts

Kilt is the backbone of the Highland games and is very popular all around the Scotland. You will see almost everyone wearing a kilt at the Highland Games. If you are taking part in any of the event then you should wear a kilt or else you won’t be allowed to take part in the competition. This is a strict rule given by the Scottish Highland Games Association. You will also see people wearing their clan tartan kilt. If you are planning for your next visit to the annual Highland Games then make sure to grab yourself a nice mens kilt from our website.

These were just the most popular activities and competitions that take place in the Highland Games. There are also many more that wasn’t included in this list and that’s because I wanted to keep this article as concise and easy to read as possible. So, if you want to enjoy the true Highland Games experience then you will need to attend one.

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Highland Games History

The history of Highland Games dates back to the early 11th Century. At that time, the ruling king Malcolm III held a competition of foot race and whoever won that competition would become his courier. That 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 visits it.

This competition helps the clan chieftains to find the best people for their protection and safety. They’d also use this as a medium to find the best people for their household. People who came first in the hill running race or those who are good at bagpipes and dancing will be appointed by the clan chieftains.

Which Highland Games To Visit?

The Highland Games event takes place all across the country and each one of them is unique in its way and presents the local culture of that area. If you think that it is just a competition then you are totally wrong because it is a way of getting all the people together having a good time and if you are a foreigner then to enjoy the taste of Scottish culture. So, no matter which Highland Games event you go to, believe me, you are going to have a really good time.