Scotland highland games 2012 calendar

The Johnstone Park. Sat, 14 July. Tong, Isle of Lewis. Tong Recreation Centre. Balloch Games. Balloch Castle Country Park. Morvern Games, Lochaline. Sports Field. Howie Park, Rosneath. Sun, 15 July. Mineralwell Park. Thornton, Fife. Memorial Park. Burntisland, Fife. Mon, 16 July.

Castle Grounds. Tue, 17 July. South Uist. Askernish Machair. Wed, 18 July. Mull Games. Erray Park, Tobermory. Thu, 19 July. North Uist. Balone Field, Tigharry. Fri, 20 July. Sat, 21 July. Attadale Estate. Southend Games. Wed, 25 July. Fri, 27 July. North Greens Park. Sat, 28 July. Callander Games Field. Mortlach School Sports Field.

Halkirk Highland Games. Halkirk near Thurso. Glenfeochan House, Kilmore. Lochaber Highland Games. An Aird, Fort William. Near Dingwall. St Andrews. Sarasota Highland Games. Mount Dora Scottish Highland Festival. Northeast Florida Scottish Highland Games. Queen Mary Scottish Festival. Phoenix Scottish Games. Celtic Faire. Sherman Celtic Festival. Durango Celtic Festival. Tartan Day South. Panama City Highland Games. Celtic Fest Vancouver. Ceili at the Roundhouse Celtic Festival. Fargo Celtic Festival.

Winnipeg Scottish Festival. Celtic Fest Mississippi. Southeast Alabama Highland Games. Dunedin Highland Games. San Antonio Highland Games. New York Tartan Week Parade. Colorado Tartan Day. Las Vegas Celtic Gathering. Celtic Festival of Southern Maryland. Scottish Tartan Festival. Arkansas Scottish Festival. Tartan Day at The Villages. New Hampshire Indoor Scottish Festival.

Ormand Beach Celtic Festival. The ceremonial role of chieftain is bestowed upon a member of the local community or clan chief, who then leads processions, opens the games and oversees the whole event with aplomb.

Did you know that several games have boasted famous celebrity chieftains, including singer Susan Boyle and actors Ewan McGregor and Dougray Scott?

Some believe the roots of the Highland games date as far back as the 11th century, when King Malcolm III called a foot race to the summit of Craig Choinnich, near Braemar, in the hopes of finding the fastest runner in the land to become his personal courier.

Many games still include a hill race, although the winner is no longer destined for a life of servitude! The games evolved into a test not only of strength and stamina, but also of creative dance and music skills, to keep kings, queens and clan chiefs entertained. Highland games as we know them today have been celebrated around Scotland since the s and regularly draw in crowds of thousands.

Amongst the most historic is the Braemar Gathering, which was awarded Royal Patronage by Queen Victoria and is still regularly attended by the reigning monarch and other members of the Royal Family. Highland dancing at the games was originally an all-male event, and it wasn't until the late 19th century that women started to enter.

The Cowal Gathering is renowned for the quality of its Highland dancing, drawing in the best performers from around the globe as they compete in the Scottish and World Championships. The Highland games were so impressive, that the founder of the modern Olympics, Baron Coubertin, introduced the hammer throw, shot putt and the tug o' war after watching the Highland display at the Paris Exhibition. The hammer throw and shot putt are still included to this day.

Haggis hurling began as a practical joke in the s but is now a popular event at many Highland games - there's even a World Haggis Hurling Association dedicated to the sport!

The current world record was set at the Milngavie Highland Games in , when Lorne Coltart hurled a haggis an impressive ft. Visit advice page. Highland Games. How to Highland games videos Want to know how to caber toss, shot putt or weight for height? What are the Highland games? Where are the Highland games? When are the Highland games? Experiencing the Highland games So, what's it like to spend a day at a Highland games? Heavy contests and field events Heavy contests, including the hammer throw and weight for height, see competitors putting their muscles to the test, while field events such as the hill race and cycling competition test speed and stamina.

Highland Games Training Ever wondered how you would fare in a Highland games competition? Music For many, one of the most memorable sights of the Highland games is the massed bands, when hundreds of pipers and drummers from different groups come together to play and march in unison.

Highland dancing Dancers give dazzling displays of fancy footwork in Scottish dances, such as the sword dance and the famous Highland fling.

Highland clans Highland games once saw clan members go head-to-head in fierce competition - and you'll still see this enthusiasm when clans muster all their might in a tug o' war.