Scotland is renowned for its Highland Games and Gatherings which are some of the most popular events on the summer calendar for tourists and locals alike. The season stretches from May to September up and down the country. Here's our list of Highland Games for 2019. If you're interested, you can also read our blog about the history of Highland Games.
Annual agricultural shows and country shows are another occasion for the local community to gather and celebrate their successes so we've included them on this page. You can also see more 2019 event listings on our web site.
Gordon Castle Highland Games and Country Fair
19 May 2019 near Fochabers in Moray
Events all weekend. Vintage Village, music, local food producers, unique crafts and gifts, gun dogs, terrier racing, falconry displays, rare breeds, Clydesdale horses, and racing pigs.
Angus Show
8 June 2019 at Brechin.
Annual agricultural show with live stock, fun fair, trade stands, craft marquee, horse and hound, tractor pulling, dancing displays, pipe bands and lots more.
Royal Highland Show
22 - 23 June 2019 at Ingliston, Edinburgh.
Annual agricultural show with arena attractions, Scottish food exhibition, pedigree livestock, flower show, show jumping, craft fair and much more.
Ceres Highland Games
29 June 2019, Ceres village, Cupar, Kingdom of Fife
The oldest free games in Scotland, always held on the last Saturday of the month of June.
The Scottish Game Fair
5 - 7 July 2019
Set in the grounds of Scone Palace (Perthshire) with displays, stands, demonstrations. Organised by the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust.
Braemar Junior Highland Games
13 July 2019
Enabling children from 5 to 18 to participate in games events normally reserved for adults. Family Ceilidh in the Village Hall in the evening.
Kirkcudbright Country Fair
14 - 15 July 2018, Dumfries & Galloway
Spectacular programme of events with guest performers and display teams at one of the region's major annual events.
St Ronan's Border Games
13 - 20 July 2019, Innerleithen, Scottish Borders
St Ronan's Border Games and Cleikum Ceremonies week.
Kinlochard Highland Gathering
12 - 14 July 2019
The Gathering is an annual community gala day and mini Highland Games for the village of Kinlochard in the heart of the Trossachs
Stranraer Show
tbc 31 July 2019
Annual agricultural show.
Black Isle Show
31 July - 1 August 2019 near Muir of Ord, just north of Inverness.
This is the largest agricultural show in the North of Scotland. It attracts over 2,000 cattle, horse and sheep entries, more than 300 trade stands and over 25,000 visitors to the show each year. There is plenty to see and do, craft fair, food fair, 'On the Farm' exhibition for the kids, agricultural stands, vintage rally and sheep shearing.
Mey Highland Games
3 August 2019
The Mey Games takes place near the Castle of Mey (former home to HM The Queen Mother) every August with the patronage of His Royal Highness The Duke of Rothesay.
Aboyne Highland Games
3 August 2019, Aberdeenshire
Join with clansmen and women who will be heading to the north east from across the globe to the village green in the centre of Aboyne where the games have been held since 1867. The games have been noted worldwide for being a centre of excellence for the traditional disciplines of Highland Games. Not only is Aboyne recognised for this, but also as a gathering venue for a dozen clans indigenous to the North East of Scotland
The Scottish Alternative Games
4 August 2019, New Galloway, Dumfries and Galloway
The Lowland alternative to the more traditional Highland Games is a fun day out for all the famil
Grantown Show
tbc 8 August 2019, Grantown-on-Spey
An agricultural show with livestock (including Highland Cows), food stands, farmers’ market, tractors and much more. A great day out for all the family.
Strathpeffer Highland Gathering
10 August 2019, Strathpeffer, Highlands
Enjoy this traditional Highland Gathering in the sylvan setting of the grounds of Castle Leod on the edge of the village of Strathpeffer.
Blair Castle International Horse Trials and Country Fair
22 - 25 August 2019, Blair Atholl, Perthshire
Scotland’s premier equestrian event is held annually in one of Scotland’s most scenic locations. Four days of International Eventing takes centre stage while the Bruar Country Fair offers something the non-horsey visitor.
Dundee Flower and Food Festival
6 - 8 September 2019, Camperdown Country Park, Dundee
Dundee's big floral and foodie event of the year.
Dalmally Show
7 September 2019
Annual agricultural show in Argyll.
The Royal Burgh of Peebles Highland Games
7 September 2019, Peebles
Pipe band contest, Highland dancing, traditional heavy events, trade stands, craft tent and beer tent.
Braemar Gathering
7 September 2019, Braemar
International athletes will be among those taking part in the "heavy" and "track" events. Pipers and dancers will be of the usual high standard while teams from H.M. Forces will compete in the InterServices Unit Tug of War Championship and in the Services Medley Relay Race.
Blairgowrie and Rattray Highland Games
8 September 2019, Blairgowrie, Perthshire
Traditional Highland game events including heavyweights, running, Highland dancing, piping and cycling.
Best of the West
13 - 15 September 2019, Argyll
A weekend of family-friendly entertainment highlighting the best in food, drink, music, arts & craft in the grounds of Inveraray Castle, Argyll
Pitlochry Highland Games
14 September 2019, Recreation Ground, Pitlochry, Perthshire
Traditional Highland games with piping, Highland dancing, heavy events, track and field, grand pipe band contest for grades 1 to 4 and novice juvenile. There will also be a grand finale of massed bands.
Invercharron Highland Games
21 September 2019 at Balblair Farm, Bonar Bridge, Scottish Highlands
Traditional Highland games including piping, Highland dancing, heavyweight events, light field events, cycling, hill race and tug o’ war.
