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{{Short description|Scottish games}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2019}}

[[File:Highland Games-Opening ceremonies in Canmore.jpg|thumb|Opening ceremonies of 2004 [[Canmore, Alberta|Canmore]] Highland games]]
{{Culture of Scotland}}

'''Highland games''' ({{langx|gd|geamannan Gàidhealach}}) is a competitive [[strength athletics|strength sport]] with events held in spring and summer in [[Scotland]] and several other countries with a large [[Scottish diaspora]] as a way of celebrating Scottish and [[Celt]]ic culture, especially that of the [[Scottish Highlands]]. Certain aspects of the games are so well known as to have become emblematic of Scotland, such as the [[bagpipes]], the [[kilt]], and the heavy events, especially the [[stone put]], [[Scottish hammer throw]], [[weight throw]], [[weight over bar]], [[caber toss]], [[Keg-tossing|keg toss]] and [[sheaf toss]]. While centred on competitions in piping and drumming, dancing, and Scottish heavy athletics, the games also include entertainment and exhibits related to other aspects of Scottish and [[Gaels|Gaelic]] cultures.

The [[Cowal Highland Gathering]], better known as the Cowal Games, is held in [[Dunoon]], [[Scotland]], every August. It is the largest Highland games in Scotland,{{efn|Cowal Highland Gathering can be verified as the world's largest highland games on the Official Scottish Tourist Board Website at VisitScotland.com.}} attracting around 3,500 competitors and somewhere in the region of 23,000 spectators<ref name="CHG1">{{cite web |title = Cowal Highland Gatcitationhering |url = http://www.cowalgathering.com/spectators.php |access-date=10 July 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120809091943/http://www.cowalgathering.com/spectators.php |archive-date=9 August 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.cowalgathering.com|title= Cowal Highland Gathering|work= cowalgathering.com|access-date=13 October 2019}}</ref> from around the globe. Worldwide, however, it is exceeded in terms of spectators by three gatherings in the [[United States]]: the estimated 30,000<ref>{{cite web |title = Grandfather Mountain Highland Games Fast Facts |date = 12 July 2010 |url = http://www.grandfather.com/about-grandfather-mountain/media/highland-games-press-room/gmhg-fast-facts }}</ref> that attend [[Grandfather Mountain]] in [[North Carolina]]; the [[New Hampshire]] Highland Games & Festival, which attracts over 35,000 annually; and the even larger Northern California gathering—the largest in the Northern Hemisphere<ref name="Scottish Games Draw Record Crowds">{{cite web |title = Scottish Games Draw Record Crowds |url = http://www.independentnews.com/scottish-games-draw-record-crowds/collection_bd18c91c-5751-11e5-9720-afdde78f41b4.html |website = The Independent |access-date = 20 September 2015}}</ref>—that has taken place every year since 1866.<ref>{{cite web |title = 150th Scottish Highland Gathering & Games |url = http://thescottishgames.com |website = thescottishgames.com |access-date = 20 September 2015 }}</ref> This event, the Scottish Highland Gathering and Games, is currently held on [[Labor Day]] weekend in [[Pleasanton, California]]; and the sesquicentennial event was held on 5–6 September 2015, attracting a record crowd close to 50,000.<ref name="Scottish Games Draw Record Crowds" />

Highland games are claimed to have influenced [[Baron Pierre de Coubertin]] when he was planning the [[1896 Summer Olympics#Reviving the Games|revival of the Olympic Games]]. De Coubertin saw a display of Highland games at the [[Paris Exhibition of 1889]].<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/scotland/article7107301.ece |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100604200832/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/scotland/article7107301.ece |url-status = dead |archive-date = 4 June 2010 |title = Highland games were the model for modern Olympics |date = 25 April 2010 |work = The Times |access-date = 3 May 2010 |location = London, England |first = Marc |last = Horne }}</ref>{{efn|The website of the International Wrestling Association reports rather more expansively on the role of the 1889 Paris event and its effect on the development of the Olympics, considering it to have had a "huge impact" on world sport. An article published in 2004 in the ''Christian Science Monitor'' points to two other events, including that of Much Wenlock, a small English village in Shropshire.}}

== History ==
===Ancient games===
The first historical reference to the type of events held at Highland games in Scotland was made during the time of King [[Malcolm III of Scotland|Malcolm III]] ({{langx|gd|Máel Coluim}}, c.&nbsp;1031 – 13 November 1093) when he summoned men to race up Craig Choinnich overlooking [[Braemar]] with the aim of finding the fastest runner in Scotland to be his royal messenger.<ref name="chg">{{cite web|url=https://bestlocalthings.com/sc/coastal-highland-games-myrtle-beach |title=Coastal Highland Games |website=www.bestlocalthings.com |access-date=30 September 2024}}</ref> There is a document from 1703 summoning the [[Scottish clan|clan]] of the Laird of Grant, [[Clan Grant]]. They were to arrive wearing Highland coats and "also with [[long gun|gun]], [[sword]], [[pistol]] and [[dirk]]".{{efn|As quoted on the history page of the Aboyne Highland Gathering website.}} From this letter, it is surmised that the competitions would have included feats of arms. There are also thought to have been events where the strongest and bravest soldiers in Scotland would be tested. Musicians and dancers were encouraged to reveal their skill and talents and so be a great credit to the clan that they represented.<ref name="chg"/> Some modern sources suggest more these games would originate from the deer hunts that the inhabitants of the Highlands engaged in.<ref>Antonioli, Marina; "The Highland Games – guida ai giochi scozzesi"; ''CelticPedia''.{{unreliable source?|date=July 2023}}</ref>

Attempts have been made to discover earlier traditions of games, although evidence is thin. The primary sources are from the bardic traditions of both contests between clans and of tests to select retainers for clan chiefs.
An example of a possible early games venue is at [[Fetteresso Castle|Fetteresso]].{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}

===Modern games===
[[File:Massed bands.jpg|thumb|right|alt=A hundred or more pipers and drummers in an array of kilts at a Scottish games event|[[Massed bands]] at the [[Glengarry Highland Games]], Maxville, Ontario, Canada, 2006]]
[[File:The Carmunnock Highland Games, weight over the bar, City of Glasgow.jpg|thumb|right|Weight over the bar event at the [[Carmunnock]] Highland Games, Scotland]] 
[[File:Highland Dancing Competition - Dornoch Highland Gathering 2007.jpg|thumb|right|Highland Dancing Competition at the [[Dornoch]] Highland Gathering, Scotland]] 
The modern Highland games are largely a 19th-century development, from the period following the [[Jacobite rebellions]] and subsequent [[Dress Act 1746|ban]] on [[Highland dress]].{{efn|The [[Dress Act 1746]] was part of the [[Act of Proscription 1746]].}}

By the mid-20th century,<ref name="Armstrong 256">[[#AFK|Armstrong (2017)]], p. 256.</ref> annual Highland games events, modelled on the traditional events in Scotland along with some elements borrowed from the {{lang|gd|[[mòd]]}} festivals, had been established not just in Scotland but throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, among other places with a notable [[Scottish diaspora]], which totals about 50 million people worldwide.<ref>[[#AFK|Armstrong (2017)]], p. 283.</ref> (The earliest such events in North America go back quite a way, to 1836 in New York<ref>[[#PJ|Porter (1998)]], p. 5.</ref> and at least 1863 in Nova Scotia.)<ref>{{cite web |url= https://celticlifeintl.com/history-of-the-antigonish-highland-games/ |title=History of the Antigonish Highland Games |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=2015 |work=CelticLifeIntl.com |publisher=Celtic Life International |access-date=10 June 2023}}</ref> The modern, rather commercialised<ref>[[#AFK|Armstrong (2017)]], p. 238.</ref> gatherings have done much to promote [[tartan]], kilts, and other elements of Highland culture abroad, having up to tens of thousands of attendees,<ref>[[#AFK|Armstrong (2017)]], p. 254.</ref> a large proportion of them in Highland dress. The games are the primary source of business for a cottage industry of professional kiltmakers outside of Scotland, and are the main recruiting grounds of the numerous clan societies.{{efn|Armstrong (2017) quoted a US-based clan association organiser thus: "without Scottish Clans & Families and our oft criticised tartan, bagpipes, musty castles, clan battles and inspiring heroes the national Scottish brand becomes somewhat indistinguishable from countless other nations".<ref>[[#AFK|Armstrong (2017)]], p. 13, 278.</ref>}}

While the Scottish Highland Games Association says there are dozens of such events in Scotland,<ref name="Armstrong 264">[[#AFK|Armstrong (2017)]], p. 264.</ref> there were at least 260 annual Highland games events worldwide as of 2000,<ref>[[#PMB|Paterson, M.&nbsp;B. (2001)]], p. 190.</ref> more than 100 of them in the US alone, and dozens more in Canada.<ref name="Armstrong 264" /> They are closely intertwined with [[Great Highland bagpipe|bagpipe]] band competitions (which date to 1781), a lasting source of Highland imagery in their [[Highland regiments|regiment]]-inspired uniforms; the 2013 [[World Pipe Band Championships]] in Glasgow drew over 8,000 pipers and drummers from all over the world.<ref>[[#AFK|Armstrong (2017)]], p. 260, 273.</ref>

The games' rather flamboyantly<ref>[[#PMB|Paterson, M.&nbsp;B. (2001)]], p. 218.</ref> tartaned [[subculture]], a "shortcut to the Highlands",<ref>[[#AFK|Armstrong (2017)]], pp. 11, 236, 254, quoting: {{cite book |last=Calder |first=Jenni |orig-year=2005 |date=2010 |title=Scots in the USA |location=New York |publisher=Luath |page=203}}</ref> is sustained outside Scotland primarily by multi-generational Scottish descendants rather than by direct Scottish expatriates.<ref>[[#PMB|Paterson, M.&nbsp;B. (2001)]], pp. 195, 218.</ref><ref>[[#AFK|Armstrong (2017)]], pp. 253–254, 280.</ref> Sir [[Malcolm MacGregor]], chief of [[Clan Gregor]] and then convenor of the [[Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs]] (well aware of tartan's connections to tourism and other Scottish economic interests) wrote in 2016 of the games events beyond Scotland that "it is the stuff of kilts and [[Caber toss|cabers]], but it is the Scotland those not living in Scotland want it to be."<ref name="Armstrong 253">[[#AFK|Armstrong (2017)]], p. 253.</ref> Ian Brown (2012) coined the term ''tartanism'' (as distinct from ''[[tartanry]]'') for this international tokenisation of tartan, kilts, and other symbols of the Highlands as [[Ethnicity|ethnic-identity]] markers, evolving to some degree independently to suit the cultural needs of the New World Scottish diaspora and unrestrained by the views of the originating Scottish "home" culture.<ref>[[#BI1|Brown (2012)]], p. 7.</ref> Michael B. Paterson (2001) hypothesises that the fondness for Highland symbols and activities among the diaspora may be due to the European-descended populations in these countries lacking much of a direct experience of culture deeper than a few generations, and being dominated by [[nuclear family]] structure;<ref name="PatersonMB 187 ff">[[#PMB|Paterson, M.&nbsp;B. (2001)]], pp. 187–188, 208, 212.<!--Among other, earlier, pages.--></ref> Highland games, clan tartans, [[Burns supper]]s, [[Saint Andrew's Society|St Andrew's societies]] (more than 1,200 of them just in the US), etc. provide a sense of shared roots, heritage, identity, and a broader and more elastic notion of family, as well as fostering Old World, "mother country" connections.<ref name="PatersonMB 187 ff" /><ref>[[#AFK|Armstrong (2017)]], pp. 255, 289–290.</ref> Fiona K. Armstrong (2017) writes: "It is a feudal longing in a modern age. It is a yearning for some supposedly comforting and ordered past."<ref name="Armstrong 253" /> According to Ian Maitland Hume (2001):<ref>[[#AFK|Armstrong (2017)]], p. 256, quoting: {{cite thesis |type=PhD |last=Maitland Hume |first=Ian |date=2001 |title=The contemporary role of the kilt and tartan in the construction and expression of Scottish American identity |publisher=University of Edinburgh}} <!--This appears not to be available at a URL, only in paper form at U. Edinburgh library, but it has been cited by multiple other authors.--></ref>

{{blockquote|''Tartan and the kilt encapsulate many facets of a heritage which people aspire to access; they may also represent a part-mythical family origin for those seeking roots&nbsp;.... The number of Americans who choose to adopt a Scottish element as part of their identity can be attributed in substantial part to the power these symbols possess.''}}

This swell of diasporic tartan enthusiasm seems to have been triggered in the 1950s, the beginning of the age of affordable powered flight, as clan chiefs like [[Dame]] [[Flora MacLeod of MacLeod|Flora MacLeod]] of [[Clan MacLeod]] travelled abroad to promote Scottish tourism and other connections.<ref name="Armstrong 256" /> (At least 1 in 5 Scottish-descended people surveyed in 2017 by [[VisitScotland]], the national tourism board, expressed an interest in travelling to Scotland.)<ref>[[#AFK|Armstrong (2017)]], p. 261.</ref> However, in 2009, the US-based Council of Scottish Clans and Associations reported a drop in the number of active clan societies (which peaked at 170, and drive considerable tourism as well as historic-place restoration efforts), with up to a 25% decrease in individual memberships, as well as some of the annual games events coming to an end; "new technology" (i.e. the Internet) seemed to be related.<ref>[[#AFK|Armstrong (2017)]], pp. 254, 263–264, 266–267, 273, 283.</ref>

== Events ==
=== Heavy events ===
In their original form centuries ago, Highland games revolved around athletic and sports competitions. Though other activities were always a part of the festivities, many today still consider Highland athletics to be what the games are all about—in short, that the athletics are the games, and all the other activities are just entertainment. Regardless, it remains true today that the athletic competitions are at least an integral part of the events.

==== Stone put/ putting the heavy stone ====
[[File:Stone_put_05WDBY_007.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Stone put]]
{{main|Stone put}}
Similar to the modern-day [[shot put]] as seen in the Olympic Games, instead of a steel shot, a large stone of variable weight is often used. There are two versions, differing in allowable technique: The Braemar Stone uses a 20–30&nbsp;lb (9.1–13.6&nbsp;kg) stone for men (13–18&nbsp;lb or 6–8&nbsp;kg for women) and does not allow any run up to the toeboard or "trig" to deliver the stone, i.e., it is a standing put. In the Open Stone using a 16–25&nbsp;lb (7.3–11.4&nbsp;kg) stone for men (8–12&nbsp;lb or 3.5–5.5&nbsp;kg for women), the thrower is allowed to use any throwing style so long as the stone is put with one hand with the stone resting cradled in the neck until the moment of release. Most athletes in the open stone use either "glide" or "spin" technique.

==== Scottish hammer throw ====
{{main|Scottish hammer throw}}
This event is seen as the precursor to the modern [[hammer throw]] seen in track and field events worldwide. However the Highland Games version has some differences. In the Scottish event, a round metal ball weighing 16 or 22&nbsp;lb (7.25 or 10&nbsp;kg) for men, or 12 or 16&nbsp;lb (5.5 or 7.25&nbsp;kg) for women, is attached to the end of a shaft about 4 feet (1.2 metres) in length and made out of wood, bamboo, rattan or plastic. With the feet in a fixed position, the hammer is whirled about one's head and thrown for distance over the shoulder. Hammer throwers sometimes employ specially designed footwear with flat blades to dig into the turf to maintain their balance and resist the centrifugal forces of the implement as it is whirled about the head. It substantially increases the attainable distance.

==== Weight throw/ weight for distance ====
[[File:Weight throw, 2002 Celtic Festival.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Weight throw]]
{{main|Weight throw}}
This event has two variations (usually considered two separate events) to it, depending on the weight of the implement. One using a light ({{convert|28|lb|abbr=on}} for men and {{convert|14|lb|abbr=on}} for women) and the other a heavy ({{convert|56|lb|abbr=on}} for men, {{convert|42|lb|abbr=on}} for masters{{Elaboration needed|reason=unclear what 'masters men' category is|date=June 2025}} men, and {{convert|28|lb|abbr=on}} for women) weight. The weights are made of metal and have a handle attached either directly or by means of a chain. The implement is thrown using one hand only, but otherwise using any technique. Usually a spinning technique is employed. The longest throw wins.

==== Weight over bar/ weight for height ====
[[File:2008-08 - Plum Island and Cowal Games 481.jpg|right|thumb|Weight over bar]]
{{main|Weight over bar}}
In this event, the athletes toss either a 25.4&nbsp;kg (56&nbsp;lb/ 4-[[stone (unit)|stone]]) weight for men, 19&nbsp;kg (42&nbsp;lb) for masters men, and 12&nbsp;kg (28&nbsp;lb) for women, a weight with an attached handle over a horizontal bar using only one hand. It requires the weight to be kept between the legs before swinging it up in a pendulum like manner, and releasing when it is at its apex, directly overhead. Each athlete is allowed three attempts at each height. Successful clearance of the height allows the athlete to advance into the next round at a greater height. The competition is determined by the highest successful toss with fewest misses being used for tie-breakers. It is also used in some [[Strongman]] competitions.

==== Caber toss ====
[[File:Caber 2.jpg|thumb|Caber toss]]
{{main|Caber toss}}
In this staple event, competitors toss a large tapered pole called a "caber" ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|eɪ|b|ər}}) usually made from a [[larch]] tree. The term "caber" derives from the Gaelic word ''cabar'', which refers to a wooden beam. It can be between {{convert|16-20|ft|m|0|abbr=off}} tall and weigh {{convert|90-150|lb|kg|round=5|abbr=off}}. The primary objective is to toss the caber so that it turns end over end, falling away from the tosser. Ideally it should fall directly away from the tosser in the "12 o'clock" position. The movement can be broken down to several segments. The tosser first balances the caber upright against his or her shoulder and neck (tapered end should be downwards). The tosser then crouches, sliding their interlocked hands down the caber and under the rounded base, and lifts it in their cupped hands. The tosser then walks or runs a few paces forward to gain momentum, and flips the tapered end upwards so that the large end hits the ground first, and if well tossed, the caber falls directly away from the tosser. The judging of Caber toss might be deceptive. The straightest end-over-end toss scores highest. If the caber lands on its end but falls back towards the thrower, the score is lower than for any end-over-end throw, but is based upon the maximum vertical angle that the caber achieved (side-judging may involve a second judge). End-over-end tosses are scored according to the hours on a clock, with a 12 o'clock score being highest (falling directly away from the thrower), down to a 9 or 3 for cabers that reach a vertical, before falling to the side.

==== Keg toss ====
{{main|Keg-tossing}}
This event which is predominately evolving from Irish Highland games, involves the heaving of a standard half-barrel [[beer]] [[keg]] over a horizontal bar using both hands. The keg is completely emptied for better stability and to avoid injuries. The basic technique involves swinging the keg in a pendulum like manner and releasing when it is at its apex. The event or its modified variations are quite often used in modern day [[Strongman]] competitions. In [[2010 World's Strongest Man]] the 8 keg standardization was introduced where the competitors had to throw 8 beer kegs of increasing weights ranging from 17 to 24&nbsp;kg over a 4-meter bar. Keg for maximum height is also a staple Highland games and Strongman event with 12.5 kg, 15 kg and 25 kg being the most common weights used. 

==== Sheaf toss ====
[[File:Sheaf toss 001.jpg|right|thumb|220px|Sheaf toss]]
{{main|Sheaf toss}}
In this event, a bundle of straw (the sheaf) weighing {{convert|20|lb|kg}} for the men and {{convert|10|lb|kg}} for the women, and wrapped in a [[Hessian fabric|burlap bag]] is tossed vertically with a [[pitchfork]] over a raised bar much like that used in pole vaulting. The progression and scoring of this event is similar to the Weight over bar. However, there is significant debate among athletes as to whether the sheaf toss is in fact an authentic Highland event. Some argue it is actually a country fair event, but many agree that it is a great crowd pleaser. It is also a traditional sport in the [[Basque Country (greater region)|Basque Country]], and is often featured at [[agricultural show]]s such as the annual [[Sykehouse Show]] in South Yorkshire, England.

==== Maide-leisg ====
{{lang|gd|Maide-leisg}} (Gaelic for 'lazy stick', {{IPA|gd|matʲəˈʎeʃkʲ|pron}}) is a trial of strength performed by two competitors sitting on the ground with the soles of their feet pressing against each other. Thus seated, they hold a stick between their hands which they pull against each other until one of them is raised from the ground. The oldest {{lang|gd|maide-leisg}} competition in the world takes place at the Carloway show and Highland games on the [[Isle of Lewis]]. There's also a popular variation of the event performed in [[Yakuts]] communities often called [[Mas-wrestling]].

{{small|Many of the heavy events competitors in Scottish highland athletics are former high school and college track and field athletes who find the Scottish games are a good way to continue their competitive careers. Increasingly in the US, the heavy events are attracting women, as well as master-class athletes, which has led to a proliferation of additional classes in heavy-events competitions. Lighter implements are used in the women's classes.}}

=== Music ===
[[File:Massed Bands, 2005 Pacific Northwest Highland Games.jpg|thumb|Massed bands at the 2005 Pacific Northwest Highland Games]]

[[File:Pipeband circle.JPG|thumb|Highland Pipeband Competition Circle (Prince Charles Pipe Band 2008)]]

For many Highland games festival attendees, the most memorable of all the events at the games is the massing of the pipe bands. Normally held in conjunction with the opening and closing ceremonies of the games, as many as 20 or more pipe bands will march and play together. The result is a thunderous rendition of ''[[Scotland the Brave]]'' or ''[[Amazing Grace]]'', and other crowd-pleasing favorites.

The music of the [[great Highland bagpipe]] has come to symbolize music at the games and of [[Scotland]] itself. In addition to the massed bands (when all the attending pipe bands play together), nearly all Highland games gatherings feature a wide range of piping and drumming competition, including solo piping and drumming, small group ensembles and full the pipe bands.

Music at Highland games gatherings also includes other forms, such as [[Fiddle|fiddling]], [[harp]] circles, and [[Celtic music|Celtic]] bands.

=== Dance ===
The [[Cowal Highland Gathering]] hosts the annual World Highland Dancing Championship. This event gathers the best competitive dancers from around the world who compete for the [[Highland dancing#Organization|RSOBHD]] sanctioned World Championship title. But most other Highland Games have dancing as well. The impressiveness of the performance varies wildly depending on the section dancing, with the 4/5/6 year old Primary dancers bringing the cuteness but not necessarily the technique compared to the 10-30+ year olds that are typical of the Premier (Open) section. The dances performed can vary quite a lot depending on the size of the dancing boards, access to swords for dancing over, and just preference of which dances to perform. Among the most common dances are the Highland Fling, the Sword Dance or the Ghillie Callum, the Seann Triubhas, the Irish Jig and the Hornpipe. Of these dances three (Highland Fling, Sword Dance, and Seann Triubhas) are performed wearing the semi-traditional kilt whilst the Irish Jig and the Hornpipe have specific outfits for their dances.

=== Secondary events and attractions ===
[[File:2005 Tacoma Highland Games.jpg|thumb|Assembling for the parade of clans at the 2005 Tacoma Highland Games]]

At modern-day Highland Games events, a wide variety of other activities and events are generally available. Foremost among these are the [[Scottish Clan|clan]] tents and vendors of Scottish related goods. The various clan societies make the Highland games one of the main focus of their seasonal activities, usually making an appearance at as many such events as possible. Visitors can find out information about the Scottish roots and can become active in their own clan society if they wish. These are more common at Highland Games held outside of Scotland as there is less of a demand for them in Scotland, which is not to say that they do not pop up from time to time.

At modern games, armouries will display their collections of swords and armour, and often perform mock battles. Various vendors selling Scottish memorabilia are also present selling everything from [[Irn-Bru]] to the stuffed likeness of the [[Loch Ness Monster]].

[[Herding dog]] trials and exhibitions are often held, showcasing the breeder's and trainer's skills. In addition, there may be other types of Highland animals present, such as the [[Highland cattle]].

Various traditional and modern [[Celts|Celtic]] arts are often showcased. These could include harpers' circles, [[Scottish country dancing]], and one or more entertainment stages. In addition, most events usually feature a pre-event ceilidh (a type of social event with traditional music, dancing, song, and other forms of entertainment).

Various food vendors will also offer assorted types of traditional Scottish refreshment and sustenance.

==In popular culture==
The Highland games phenomenon is satirised by [[Neil Munro (writer)|Neil Munro]] in his Erchie MacPherson story, "Duffy's Day Off", first published in the ''[[Glasgow Evening News]]'' on 22 August 1904.<ref>Munro, Neil, "Duffy's Day Off", in Osborne, Brian D. & Armstrong, Ronald (eds.) (2002), ''Erchie, My Droll Friend'', [[Birlinn Limited]], Edinburgh, pp. 258 - 261, {{isbn|978-1-84158202-3}}</ref>

== Major events in Scotland ==
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Location
!Name of Event
!Details
|-
|[[Alva, Clackmannanshire|Alva]], Clackmannanshire
|Alva Highland Games
|Johnstone Park, Alva at the foot of the Ochil Hills. First held in summer 1856.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.alloaadvertiser.com/news/16331485.walk-past-history-famous-alva-games/ |title=A Walk in the Past: The history of the Famous Alva Games |first=Valerie |last=Forsyth |work=Alloa Advertiser |date=4 July 2018 |access-date=6 November 2021}}</ref>
|-
|[[Blair Atholl]], Perthshire
|Atholl Gathering<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blair-castle.co.uk/events_parade_gathering.cfm|title=The Atholl Gathering|website=Scottish Castles – Blair Castle – Atholl Estates|access-date=19 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150219184627/http://www.blair-castle.co.uk/events_parade_gathering.cfm|archive-date=19 February 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|Europe's only private military unit, the [[Atholl Highlanders]], open the games in the grounds of [[Blair Castle]].
|-
|[[Braemar]], Aberdeenshire
|[[Braemar Gathering]]
|Attended by the [[British royal family]].
|-
|[[Brodick]], Isle of Arran 
|Brodick Highland Games 
|First held in 1886.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.whatsonglasgow.co.uk/event/085172-brodick-highland-games/ | title=Brodick Highland Games, Brodick }}</ref>
|-
|[[Burntisland]], Fife
|Burntisland Highland Games
|Second oldest in the world
|-
|[[Carloway]], Isle of Lewis
|Carloway Show and Highland Games
|Home to the oldest 'Maide Leisg' competition in the world
|-
|[[Ceres, Fife]]
|Ceres Highland Games
|Oldest free games in Scotland
|-
|[[Crieff]], Perthshire
|[[Crieff Highland Games]]
|Home of the Scottish Heavyweight Championships and has the [[Duke of Rothesay]] (Prince William) as the Royal Chieftain
|-
|[[Dunoon]], Argyllshire
|[[Cowal Highland Gathering]]
|Biggest games in Scotland
|-
|[[Glenisla]], Angus
|Glenisla Highland Games<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.glenislahighlandgames.co.uk|title=Glenisla Highland Games|work=glenislahighlandgames.co.uk|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|Started in 1869
|-
|[[Gourock, Inverclyde]]
|Gourock Highland Games<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gourockhighlandgames.org.uk/|title=Gourock Highland Games|work=gourockhighlandgames.org.uk|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|The first Highland games of the Scottish season – held on the second Sunday in May
|-
|[[Halkirk]], Caithness
|Halkirk Highland Games
|Started in 1886
|-
|[[Inverkeithing]], Fife
|Inverkeithing Highland Games
|
|-
|[[Lochearnhead]], Perthshire
|Balquhidder, Lochearnhead and<br />Strathyre Highland Games
|Cameron, MacLaren and MacGregor clans linked to the games
|-
|[[Luss]], Dunbartonshire
|Luss Highland Gathering
|Clan Colquhoun linked to the games. Held regularly since 1875.
|-
|[[Strathdon]], Aberdeenshire
|Lonach Highland Gathering & Games
|Held by The Lonach Highland & Friendly Society Est. 1823, features the march of the [[Lonach Highlanders]] consisting of Forbes, Wallace and Gordons
|-
|[[Perth, Scotland|Perth]], Perthshire
|Perth Highland Games
|Held on the second Sunday in August
|-
|[[Pitlochry]], Perthshire
|Pitlochry Highland Games
|
|-
|[[Portree]], Skye
|Isle of Skye Highland Games
|
|-
|[[St. Andrews]], Fife
|St. Andrews Highland Games
|
|-
|[[Stirling]]
|Stirling Highland Games
|First Stirling Highland Games were held in July 1870
|-
|[[Tobermory, Mull|Tobermory]], [[Isle of Mull]]
|Mull Highland Games
|Held every third Thursday in July, supported by [[Clan Maclean|Clan MacLean]]; considered one of the most picturesque Games events, overlooking Tobermory Bay and the Sound of Mull
|-
|[[Inverness]]
|Inverness Highland Games
|Staged in the world's oldest{{citation needed|date=May 2013}} highland games stadium, Northern Meeting Park
|-
|[[Nairn]]
|Nairn Highland Games
|Always one of the largest and most popular amateur gatherings in the North, the [https://www.nairnhighlandgames.com/ Nairn Highland Games] have been an annual feature on Nairn’s summer calendar since being moved to 10 August in 1867. Prior to that, they were a winter Games, first held on 25 December 1865.   The town is justifiably proud of this, the foremost event in the Burgh calendar.
|}

==Major events outside Scotland==

===Australia===
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Location
!Name
|-
|[[Daylesford, Victoria]]
|[http://daylesfordhighland.com/ Highland Gathering]
|-
|[[Maclean, New South Wales|Maclean, NSW]]
|[https://www.macleanhighlandgathering.com.au/ Maclean Highland Gathering]
|}

===Belgium===
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Location
!Name
|-
|[[Alden Biesen Castle|Alden Biesen]]
|[http://www.schotsweekend.be/ Scottish weekend]
|}

===Bermuda===

{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Location
!Name
|-
|[[Somerset, Bermuda|Somerset]] (2012); [[Pembroke, Bermuda|Pembroke]] (2013)
|[[Bermuda Highland Games]]
|}

===Brazil===

{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Location
!Name
|-
|[[Estância Velha]], Rio Grande do Sul
|[[Scout Highland Games - GEJL46RS]]
|-
|[[Sapucaia do Sul]], Rio Grande do Sul
|[[Brazilian Scottish Highland Games]]
|}

===Canada===
On 1 August 1997, Canada Post issued "Highland Games" designed by Fraser Ross, based on photographs by Andrew Balfour. The 45¢ stamps are perforated 12.5 x 13 and were printed by Canadian Bank Note Company.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://data4.collectionscanada.gc.ca/netacgi/nph-brs?s1=(military.A790,C790.)+Or+(null.B742.)&l=100&d=STMP&p=1&u=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/archivianet/02011702_e.html&r=87&f=G&Sect1=STMP|title=Canadian Postal Archives Database|work=collectionscanada.gc.ca|access-date=19 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130703192337/http://data4.collectionscanada.gc.ca/netacgi/nph-brs?s1=%28military.A790%2CC790.%29+Or+%28null.B742.%29&l=100&d=STMP&p=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2Farchivianet%2F02011702_e.html&r=87&f=G&Sect1=STMP|archive-date=3 July 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Location<ref name="ccsna">{{cite web|url=http://www.ccsna.org/games/state_province.html|title=Calendar of Highland Games and Scottish Events in North America|publisher=Clan Campbell Society|access-date=25 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100212125208/http://www.ccsna.org/games/state_province.html|archive-date=12 February 2010|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
!Name
!Month Held
|-
!colspan="3" |[[Alberta]]
|-
|[[Calgary]], Alberta
|Calgary Highland Games<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.calgaryhighlandgames.org|title=Calgary Highland Games|work=calgaryhighlandgames.org|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|September
|-
|[[Canmore, Alberta]]
|Canmore Highland Games<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.canmorehighlandgames.ca|title=CANMORE HIGHLAND GAMES|work=canmorehighlandgames.ca|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|September
|-
|[[Edmonton]], Alberta
|Edmonton Scottish Society Highland Gathering<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.edmontonscottishsociety.org|title=Edmonton Scottish Society|work=edmontonscottishsociety.org|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|June
|-
|[[Grande Prairie]], Alberta
|Grande Prairie Highland Games<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gphighlandgames.com|title=Grande Prairie Highland Games|work=gphighlandgames.com|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|June
|-
|[[High River]], Alberta
|Foothills Highland Games<ref>{{cite web|url=http://foothillshighlandgames.com|title=Foothills Highland Games|work=foothillshighlandgames.com|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|August
|-
|[[Red Deer, Alberta]]
|Red Deer Highland Games<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reddeerhighlandgames.ca|title=Red Deer Highland Games Association Home Page|author=Addie Otto|work=reddeerhighlandgames.ca|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|June
|-
!colspan="3" |[[British Columbia]]
|-
|[[Coquitlam]], British Columbia
|[[BC Highland Games]]
|June
|-
|[[Kamloops, British Columbia]]
|Kamloops Highland Games<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kamloopshighlandgames.ca/The_Kamloops_Highland_Games/Welcome.html|title=The Kamloops Highland Games – July 11th 2015|work=kamloopshighlandgames.ca|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|July
|-
|[[Penticton, British Columbia]]
|Penticton Scottish Festival<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pentictonscottishfestival.ca|title=Welcome to the Penticton Scottish Festival|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|July
|-
|[[Victoria, British Columbia]]
|Victoria Highland Games<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.victoriahighlandgames.com|title=Local Burns Events|work=victoriahighlandgames.com|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|May
|-
!colspan="3" |[[Manitoba]]
|-
|[[East Selkirk, Manitoba]]
|Manitoba Highland Gathering<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.manitobahighlandgathering.org|title=Manitoba Highland Gathering|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|June
|-
|[[Winnipeg, Manitoba]]
|Pavilion of Scotland, Folklorama<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pavilionofscotland.ca|title=Ceud Mile Failte!|author=Homefront Studios|work=pavilionofscotland.ca|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|August
|-
|[[Winnipeg, Manitoba]]
|Transcona Highland Gathering<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.transconahighlandgathering.org|title=Transcona Highland Gathering|work=transconahighlandgathering.org|access-date=20 March 2018}}</ref>
|September
|-
!colspan="3" |[[New Brunswick]]
|-
|[[Fredericton, New Brunswick]]
|New Brunswick Highland Games<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.highlandgames.ca|title=New Brunswick Highland Games Festival – Fredericton, 2008|work=highlandgames.ca|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|July
|-
|[[Moncton, New Brunswick]]
|Moncton Highland Games<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.monctonhighlandgames.ca/|title=Moncton Highland Games|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|June
|-
|[[Perth-Andover, New Brunswick]]
|Gathering of the Scots Festival<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gatheringofthescots.com|title=Gathering of the Scots – Home|work=gatheringofthescots.com|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|May
|-
!colspan="3" |[[Nova Scotia]]
|-
|[[Antigonish, Nova Scotia]]
|Antigonish Highland Games<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.antigonishhighlandgames.ca|title=Antigonish Highland Games|work=antigonishhighlandgames.ca|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|July
|-
|[[New Glasgow, Nova Scotia]]
|Festival of the Tartans & Highland Games<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.festivalofthetartans.ca|title=Festival of the Tartans & Highland Games|work=festivalofthetartans.ca|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|July
|-
!colspan="3" |[[Ontario]]
|-
|[[Almonte, Ontario]]
|North Lanark Highland Games<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.almontehighlandgames.com|title=North Lanark Highland Games – Home|work=almontehighlandgames.com|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|August
|-
|[[Cambridge, Ontario]]
|Cambridge Highland Games<ref>{{cite web|title=Cambridge Highland Games|url=http://cambridgehighlandgames.com/|website=cambridgehighlandgames.com|access-date=19 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203014226/http://www.cambridgehighlandgames.com/|archive-date=3 February 2015}}</ref>
|July
|-
|[[Cobourg, Ontario]]
|Cobourg Highland Games<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cobourghighlandgames.ca|title=The 52nd Annual Cobourg Highland Games Festival|work=cobourghighlandgames.ca|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|June
|-
|[[Embro, Ontario]]
|Embro Highland Games<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.embrohighlandgames.ca|title=Embro Highland Games – Something for everyone|work=Embro Highland Games|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|July
|-
|[[Fergus, Ontario]]
|[[Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games]]<ref>[https://www.bramptonguardian.com/news-story/5988543-fergus-scottish-festival-and-highland-games/ "Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games"]. ''Brampton Guardian'', 13 August 2014</ref>
|August
|-
|[[Georgetown, Ontario]]
|Georgetown Highland Games<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.georgetownhighlandgames.com|title=Georgetown Highland Games|work=georgetownhighlandgames.com|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|June
|-
|[[Kincardine, Ontario]]
|Kincardine Scottish Festival & Highland Games<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kincardinescottishfestival.ca|title=Kincardine Scottish Festival and Highland Games – Kincardine Ontario Canada|work=kincardinescottishfestival.ca|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|July
|-
|[[Kingston, Ontario]]
|[[Kingston Scottish Festival]]
|May
|-
|[[Maxville, Ontario]]
|[[Glengarry Highland Games]]
|August
|-
|[[Sutton, Ontario]]
|The Georgina Gathering<ref>{{cite web|title=The Georgina Gathering June 21, 2014|url=http://www.georginagathering.ca/|website=georginagathering.ca|access-date=19 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203104838/http://www.georginagathering.ca/|archive-date=3 February 2015}}</ref>
|June
|-
|[[Uxbridge, Ontario]]
|The Highlands of Durham Games<ref>{{cite web|url=http://highlandsofdurhamgames.com|title=The Highlands of Durham Games|work=highlandsofdurhamgames.com|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|July
|-
!colspan="3" |[[Quebec]]
|-
|[[Montreal, Quebec]]
|[[Montreal Highland Games]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://montrealhighlandgames.qc.ca|title=Montreal Highland Games|work=montrealhighlandgames.qc.ca|access-date=19 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140516194722/http://montrealhighlandgames.qc.ca/|archive-date=16 May 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|August
|-
!colspan="3" |[[Saskatchewan]]
|-
|[[Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan]]
|Saskatchewan Highland Gathering & Festival (not to be held in 2015)<ref>{{cite news|last1=Goudy|first1=Lisa|title=No highland games in Moose Jaw in 2015|url=http://www.mjtimes.sk.ca/News/Local/2014-09-12/article-3867857/No-highland-games-in-Moose-Jaw-in-2015/1|access-date=19 February 2015|work=[[Moose Jaw Times-Herald]]|date=12 September 2014}}</ref>
|May
|-
|[[Regina, Saskatchewan]]
|Saskatchewan Highland Gathering & Festival<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.saskhighland.ca|title=Saskatchewan Highland Gathering & Festival|work=saskhighland.ca|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|May
|}

===Czech Republic===

{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Location
!Name
|-
|[[Brno]]
|[[MonteBú Highland Games]]<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.facebook.com/events/720586621482019/?acontext=%7B%22source%22%3A5%2C%22page_id_source%22%3A1878492009041090%2C%22action_history%22%3A[%7B%22surface%22%3A%22page%22%2C%22mechanism%22%3A%22main_list%22%2C%22extra_data%22%3A%22%7B%5C%22page_id%5C%22%3A1878492009041090%2C%5C%22tour_id%5C%22%3Anull%7D%22%7D]%2C%22has_source%22%3Atrue%7D |title=MonteBú Highland Games, Czech Rep.|website = [[Facebook]]}}</ref>
|-
|[[Sychrov Castle]]
|[[Skotské hry Sychrov]]<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://skotskehry.cz |title=Highland games Sychrov, Czech Rep.}}</ref>
|}

===Hungary===

{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Location
!Name
|-
|[[Csesznek]], [[Veszprém (county)|Veszprém]]
|Scottish Highland Games (''Skót Felföldi Játékok'')
|-
|[[Zichyújfalu]], [[Fejér County|Fejér]]
|Highland Games Cup (''Felföldi Játékok Kupa'')<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.velenceitonal.hu/adatlap/programok/felfoldi+jatekok+kupa+zichyujfaluban |title=Felföldi Játékok Kupa Zichyújfaluban |language=hu |publisher=Velencei-tó Portál |access-date=21 February 2014}}</ref>
|}

===Indonesia===

{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Location
!Name
|-
|[[Jakarta]]
|[[Jakarta Highland Gathering]]
|}

===New Zealand===

{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Location
!Name
|-
|[[Hororata]]
|Hororata Highland Games (2011)
|-
|[[Fairlie, New Zealand|Fairlie]]
|Mackenzie Easter Show & Highland Games (1898)
|-
|[[Paeroa]]
|Paeroa Highland Games & Tattoo (1993)
|-
|[[Turakina, New Zealand|Turakina]]
|Turakina Highland Games (1864)
|-
|[[Waipu, New Zealand|Waipu]]
|Waipu Highland Games (1871)
|}

===Switzerland===

{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Location
!Name
|-
|Abtwil, St. Gallen
|[[: Appowila Highland Games]]
|-
|Fehraltdorf, Zurich
|Highland-Games Fehraltdorf<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.highland-games.ch/ |title=Highland-Games |access-date=20 March 2014}}</ref>
|-
|Ingenbohl, Schwyz
|Highland Games Innerschweiz<ref>{{cite web |last=Benz |first=Marco |date=1 June 2024 |title=Highland Games Innerschweiz |url=http://www.hgis.ch/ |access-date=1 June 2024 |website=Highland Games Innerschweiz}}</ref>
|}

===United States===

{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Location<ref name="ccsna" />
!Name
|-
|[[Palmer, Alaska]]
|Alaska Scottish Highland Games<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.alaskanscottish.org|title=Alaska Scottish Highland Games|website=alaskanscottish.org}}</ref>
|-
|[[Phoenix, Arizona]]
|Scottish Highland Games<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arizonascots.com/05games.shtml|title=Phoenix Scottish Games|work=arizonascots.com|access-date=13 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Maryniak |first=Paul |date=27 February 2022 |title=Phoenix Scottish Games a feast for the senses |work=SanTan Sun News |url=https://santansun.com/2022/02/27/phoenix-scottish-games-a-feast-for-the-senses/ |access-date=16 April 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220417044342/https://santansun.com/2022/02/27/phoenix-scottish-games-a-feast-for-the-senses/ |archive-date=17 April 2022}}</ref>
|-
|[[Prescott, Arizona]]
|Prescott Highland Games & Celtic Faire<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.prescottareacelticsociety.com|title=Prescott Highland Games & Celtic Faire|work=prescottareacelticsociety.com|access-date=13 October 2019}}</ref>
|-
|[[Tucson, Arizona]]
|Tucson Celtic Festival & Scottish Highland Games<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://tucsoncelticfestival.org/ |title=Tucson Celtic Festival and Scottish Highland Games |website=tucsoncelticfestival.org }}</ref>
|-
|[[Monterey, California]]
|Monterey Scottish Games & Celtic Festival<ref>{{cite web|url=https://montereycelticfest.com|title=Monterey Scottish Games & Celtic Festival|access-date=8 December 2020}}</ref>
|-
|[[Pleasanton, California]]
|Scottish Highland Gathering and Games<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thescottishgames.com|title=150th Scottish Highland Gathering & Games|work=thescottishgames.com|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Eiland |first=Murray |date=2018 |title=Gathering the Clans in California |url=https://www.academia.edu/35831716 |journal=The Armiger's News |volume=40 |issue=1 |pages=1–6 |via=academia.edu}}</ref>
|-
|[[San Diego, California]]
|San Diego Scottish Highland Games & Gathering of the Clans<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sdhighlandgames.org|title=San Diego Scottish Highland Games|work=sdhighlandgames.org|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|-
|[[Santa Cruz County, California]]
|Scottish Renaissance Festival featuring the Loch Lomond Highland Games & Celtic Gathering<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.santacruzscottishfestival.org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309233500/http://www.santacruzscottishfestival.org/|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 March 2012|title=Santa Cruz Scottish Festival|work=santacruzscottishfestival.org|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|-
|[[Ventura, California]]
|Seaside Highland Games<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.seaside-games.com|title=Ventura Seaside Highland Games Home Page|work=seaside-games.com|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|-
|[[Woodland, California]]
|Sacramento Valley Scottish Games & Festival<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sacramentoscotgames.org/|title=Sacramento Scot Games|work=sacramentoscotgames.org|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|-
|[[Elizabeth, Colorado]]
|Elizabeth Celtic Festival<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elizabethcelticfestival.com|title=Elizabeth Celtic Festival|work=elizabethcelticfestival.com|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|-
|[[Estes Park, Colorado]]
|Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scotfest.com/|title=Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival|work=Estes Park|access-date=29 July 2019}}</ref>
|-
|[[Hartford, Connecticut]]
|Pipes in the Valley<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pipesinthevalley.com/|title=Pipes in the Valley|work=elizabethcelticfestival.com|access-date=26 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908183432/http://pipesinthevalley.com/|archive-date=8 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|- 
|[[Brooklyn, Connecticut]]
|Scotland Connecticut Highland Games<ref>{{cite web|url=https://scotlandgames.org/|title=Scotland Connecticut Highland Games|access-date=15 August 2022}}</ref>
|-
|[[Dunedin, Florida]]
|Dunedin Highland Games and Festivals<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dunedinhighlandgames.com|title=Dunedin Highland Games and Festival|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|-
|[[Green Cove Springs, Florida]]
|Northeast Florida Scottish Highland Games<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.neflgames.com|title=Northeast Florida Scottish Games & Festival|work=neflgames|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|-
|[[Marianna, Florida]]
|The Big Bend Highland Games & Scottish Festival<ref>{{cite web|title=Big Bend Scots|url=http://bigbendscots.com/|website=bigbendscots.com|access-date=19 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521083110/http://bigbendscots.com/|archive-date=21 May 2013}}</ref>
|-
|[[Sarasota, Florida]]
|Sarasota Highland Games<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.SarasotaHighlandGames.com|title=Sarasota Highland Games and Celtic Festival|work=sarasotahighlandgames.com|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|-
|[[Blairsville, Georgia]]
|Blairsville Scottish Festival & Highland Games<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.BlairsvilleScottishFestival.org|title=Blairsville Scottish Festival – Welcome to the blairsville scottish festival website|work=blairsvillescottishfestival.org|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|-
|[[Stone Mountain, Georgia]]
|Stone Mountain Highland Games and Scottish Festival<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.smhg.org/|title=Stone Mountain Highland Games|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|-
|[[Honolulu, Hawaii]]
|Hawaiian Scottish Festival and Highland Games<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hawaiianscottishassociation.org/|title=Hawaiian Scottish Festival and Highland Games|access-date=10 March 2017}}</ref>
|-
|[[Columbus, Indiana]]
|Columbus Scottish Festival and Highland Games<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scottishfestival.org|title=Columbus Scottish Festival|work=scottishfestival.org|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|-
|[[Indianapolis, Indiana]]
|Indianapolis Scottish Highland Games and Festival<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indyscotgamesandfest.com|title=Indianapolis Scottish Highland Game and Festival|work=indyscotgamesandfest.com|access-date=12 August 2015}}</ref>
|-
|[[South Bend, Indiana]]
|Celtic Festival and Bryan Verkler Invitational Highland Games
|-
|[[Davenport, Iowa]]
|Celtic Festival and Highland Games of the Quad-Cities<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.celtichighlandgames.org|title=Celtic Games|work=celtichighlandgames.org|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|-
|[[Eminence, Kentucky]]
|Highland Renaissance Festival<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kyrenfaire.com/|title=Kentucky Renaissance Fair|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|-
|[[Glasgow, Kentucky]]
|[[Glasgow Highland Games]]
|-
|[[Baton Rouge, Louisiana]]
|The Highland Games of Louisiana<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lahgcf.com/|title=The Highland Games of Louisiana|access-date=3 January 2018}}</ref>
|-
|[[Belfast, Maine]]
|Belfast Celtic Celebration<ref>{{cite web|title=Belfast Highland Games|url=https://www.mainecelticcelebration.com/ |website= Maine Celtic Celebration|access-date=16 June 2025}}</ref>
|-
|[[Andover, Maine]]
|Mountain Misfits Athletics{{cn|date=June 2025}}
|-
|[[Windsor, Maine]]
|Maine Highland Games and Scottish Festival<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mainehighlandgames.org/|title=Maine Highland Games|access-date=16 June 2025}}</ref>
|-
|[[Hallowell, Maine]]
|Hallowell Backyard Games{{cn|date=June 2025}}
|-
|[[Mount Airy, Maryland]]
|[[Frederick Celtic Festival]]
|-
|[[St. Leonard, Maryland]]
|Southern Maryland Celtic Festival and Highland Gathering<ref>{{cite web|title=Southern Maryland Celtic Festival|url=http://www.cssm.org/events/festival/|website=The Celtic Society of Southern Maryland|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|-
|[[Florence, Massachusetts]]
|Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival<ref>{{cite web|title=Glasgow Lands Scottish Games|url=https://www.glasgowlands.org/|website=Glasgow Lands Scottish Games|access-date=23 July 2025}}</ref>
|-
|[[Alma, Michigan]]
|Alma Highland Festival and Games<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.almahighlandfestival.com|title=Alma Highland Festival|work=almahighlandfestival.com|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|-
|[[Livonia, Michigan]]
|St. Andrew's Society of Detroit Highland Games<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.highlandgames.com/|title=St. Andrew's Society of Detroit Highland Games|work=highlandgames.com|access-date=5 May 2017}}</ref>
|-
|[[Parchment, Michigan]]
|Kalamazoo Scottish Festival<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kalamazooscottishfest.org/|title=Highland Games Kalamazoo Scottish Festival|website=kalamazooscottishfest.org}}</ref>
|-
|[[Sparta, Michigan]]
|Sparta Celtic Festival<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.spartacelticfest.org/|title=Sparta Celtic Festival|access-date=4 December 2019}}</ref>
|-
|[[St. Charles, Missouri]]
|Missouri Tartan Day Festivities<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motartanday.com|title=Missouri Tartan Day|work=motartanday|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|-
|[[St. Louis, Missouri]]
|St. Louis Scottish Games and Cultural Festival<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stlouis-scottishgames.com|title=St. Louis Scottish Games|work=stlouis-scottishgames.com|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|-
|[[Hamilton, Montana]]
|Bitterroot Celtic Games & Gathering<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bcgg.org/bitterroot-celtic-games-and-gathering.html|title=Bitterroot Celtic Games & Gathering|work=www.bcgg.org|access-date=20 March 2022}}</ref>
|-
|[[Kalispell, Montana]]
|Flathead Celtic Festival<ref>{{cite web|url=http://flatheadcelticfestival.com/|title=Flathead Celtic Festival|work=www.flatheadcelticfestival.com|access-date=20 March 2022}}</ref>
|-
|[[Lincoln, New Hampshire]]
|New Hampshire Highland Games & Festival<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhscot.org|title=The New Hampshire Highland Games & Festival|work=nhscot.org|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|-
|[[Las Vegas, Nevada]]
|Las Vegas Celtic Society Highland Games<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.lasvegascelticsociety.org/ |title = Las Vegas Celtic Society |website = lasvegascelticsociety.org |access-date = 2 April 2017 }}</ref>
|-
|[[Altamont, New York]]
|Capital District Scottish  Games<ref>{{cite web|url=https://scotgames.com/|title=Capital District Scottish Games|work=scotgames.com|access-date=10 September 2021}}</ref>
|-
|[[Liverpool, New York]]
|CNY Scottish Games & Celtic Festival<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cnyscottishgames.org|title=CNY Scottish Games & Celtic Festival|work=cnyscottishgames.org|access-date=25 May 2021}}</ref>
|-
|[[Olcott, New York]]
|[[Niagara Celtic Heritage Festival|Niagara Celtic Heritage Festival & Highland Games]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.niagaraceltic.com|title=NiagaraCeltic.com: Welcome to the Niagara Celtic Community: Home for All Things Irish, Scottish & Welsh in North America!|author=Vicki Banks|date=1 January 2007|work=niagaraceltic.com|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|-
|[[Old Westbury, New York]]
|Scottish Festival and Games<ref>{{cite web|url=http://liscots.org/upcoming_events.htm|title=Long Island Scottish Clan MacDuff|work=liscots.org|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|-
|[[Huntersville, North Carolina]]
|Loch Norman Highland Games<ref>{{cite web|title=Loch Norman Highland Games|website= |url=https://lochnorman.com/|access-date=2022-03-31}}</ref>
|-
|[[Laurinburg, North Carolina]]
|Scotland County Highland Games<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.schgnc.org|title=Scotland County Highland Games|work=schgnc.org|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|-
|[[Linville, North Carolina]]
|Grandfather Mountain Highland Games<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gmhg.org|title=Grandfather Mountain Highland Games|work=gmhg.org|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|-
|[[Winston-Salem, North Carolina]]
|Bethabara Highland Games<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityofws.org/Departments/Recreation-Parks/Historic-Bethabara/HBP-Events-Listing/Bethabara-Highland-Games|title=Bethabara Highland Games|access-date = 31 May 2017}}</ref>
|-
|[[Tulsa, Oklahoma]]
|ScotFest<ref>{{cite web|url=https://okscotfest.com/|title=Oklahoma Scotfest|access-date = 26 July 2019}}</ref>
|-
|[[Portland, Oregon]]
|Portland Highland Games<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.phga.org/|title=Portland Highland Games Association|work=phga.org|access-date=29 June 2015}}</ref>
|-
|[[Bethlehem, Pennsylvania]]
|Celtic Classic Highland Games & Festival<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.celticfest.org|title=Celtic Classic 2015 – Bethlehem, PA – Highland Games, Irish and Celtic Music Festival|work=celticfest.org|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|-
|[[Ligonier, Pennsylvania]]
|Ligonier Highland Games<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ligonierhighlandgames.org|title=Ligonier Highland Games 2014|work=ligonierhighlandgames.org|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|-
|[[Charleston, South Carolina]]
|Charleston Scottish Games and Highland Gathering<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.charlestonscots.org|title=Scottish Society of Charleston|work=charlestonscots.org|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|-
|[[Greenville, South Carolina]]
|Gallabrae Greenville Scottish Games
|-
|[[Elizabethton, Tennessee]]
|Scottish Heavy Athletics Clinic and Competition / East Tennessee Celtic Festival<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uppereasttncelticsociety.org/|title=Upper East Tennessee Celtic Society|access-date=19 February 2013}}</ref>
|-
|[[Gatlinburg, Tennessee]]
|Gatlinburg Scottish Highland Games<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gatlinburg-scottish-highland-games.org|title=Gatlinburg Scottish Highland Games – our 30th year in this location|work=gatlinburg-scottish-highland-games.org|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|-
|[[Townsend, Tennessee]]
|Smoky Mountain Scottish Festival and Games at Townsend, Tennessee<ref>{{cite web|url=http://smokymountaingames.org|title=Scottish Festival and Games|work=smokymountaingames.org|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|-
|[[Arlington, Texas]]
|Texas Scottish Festival and Highland Games<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.texasscottishfestival.com/|title=Texas Scottish Festival|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|-
|[[Austin, Texas]]
|Austin Celtic Festival<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.austincelticfestival.com|title=Austin Celtic Festival|work=austincelticfestival.com|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|-
|[[Grapevine, Texas]]
|Grapevine Celtic Heritage Festival and Highland Games
|-
|[[Houston, Texas]]
|Houston Celtic Festival and Highland Games<ref>{{cite web|url=http://houstonhighlandgames.com|title=Houston Highland Games Association|work=houstonhighlandgames.com|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|-
|[[Sherman, Texas]]
|Sherman Celtic Festival and Highland Games<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shermancelticfest.com|title=Texoma Society of Celts|work=shermancelticfest.com|access-date=13 March 2019}}</ref>
|-
|[[Moab, Utah]]
|Scots on the Rocks
|-
|[[Payson, Utah]]
|Payson Scottish Festival
|-
|[[Salt Lake City, Utah]]
|Utah Scots Festival
|-
|[[St. George, Utah]]
|RedStone Games
|-
|[[Delaplane, Virginia]]
|Virginia Scottish Games and Festival<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vascottishgames.org|title=Virginia Scottish Games and Festivals|work=vascottishgames.org|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|-
|[[Radford, Virginia]]
|Radford Highlander's Festival<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radford.edu/content/festival/home.html|title=19th Annual Highlanders Festival – Radford University|access-date=25 May 2015}}</ref>
|-
|[[Enumclaw, Washington]]
|Pacific NW Scottish Highland Games & Clan Gathering<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sshga.org/the-games/|title=The Seattle Scottish Highland Games|access-date=2 August 2025}}</ref>
|-
|[[Kelso, Washington]]
|Kelso Highlander Festival<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kelso.gov/visitors/highlander-festival|title=Highlander Festival|work=City of Kelso|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|-
|[[Bridgeport, West Virginia]]
|North Central West Virginia Scottish Festival and Celtic Gathering<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.northcentralwestvirginiascottishfestival.com|title=North Central West Virginia Scottish Festival & Celtic Gathering|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
|-
|[[Milwaukee, Wisconsin]]
|Milwaukee Highland Games<ref>
{{cite web |url= http://www.milwaukeehighlandgames.com |title=Milwaukee Highland Games |access-date=19 August 2016}}
</ref>
|-
|[[Waukesha, Wisconsin]]
|Wisconsin Highland Games<ref>
{{cite web |url= https://www.wisconsinscottish.org/wisconsin-highland-games |title=Wisconsin Highland Games |access-date=12 May 2020}}
</ref>
|}

== See also ==
{{Portal|Scotland|Sport}}
* [[Basque rural sports]]
* [[History of physical training and fitness]]
* [[Sport in Scotland]]
* [[The Gathering 2009]]
* [[World Highland Games Championships]]

==References==
'''Informational notes'''
{{Notelist}}

'''Citations'''
{{Reflist}}

'''Bibliography'''
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite thesis |last=Armstrong |first=Fiona Kathryne |type=PhD |title=Highlandism: Its value to Scotland and how a queen and two aristocratic women promoted the phenomenon in the Victorian age |date=31 August 2017 |publisher=University of Strathclyde |doi=10.48730/2m47-md74 |url= https://stax.strath.ac.uk/concern/theses/j098zb08p |access-date=28 May 2023 |ref=AFK}}
* {{cite book |last=Brown |first=Ian |contribution=Introduction: Tartan, Tartanry and Hybridity |title=From Tartan to Tartany: Scottish Culture, History and Myth |date=2012 |publisher=Edinburgh University Press |isbn=978-0-7486-6464-1 |ref=BI1}}
* {{cite thesis |last=Paterson |first=Michael Bennis |type=PhD |title=Selling Scotland: Towards an intercultural approach to export marketing involving differentiation on the basis of 'Scottishness' |date=2001 |publisher=[[University of Glasgow]] |url= https://theses.gla.ac.uk/4495/1/2001PatersonPhD.pdf |access-date=29 May 2023 |ref=PMB}}
* {{cite journal |last=Porter |first=James |title=The Folklore of Northern Scotland: Five Discourses on Cultural Representation |date=1998 |journal=[[Folklore (journal)|Folklore]] |volume=109 |issue=1–2 |pages=1–14 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |doi=10.1080/0015587X.1998.9715956 |url= https://dokumen.tips/documents/the-folklore-of-northern-scotland-five-discourses-on-cultural-representation.html |access-date=28 May 2023 |ref=PJ|url-access=subscription }}
* {{cite book |last=Trevor-Roper |first=Hugh |author-link=Hugh Trevor-Roper |contribution=The Highland Tradition of Scotland |editor1-last=Hobsbawm |editor1-first=Eric |editor1-link=Eric Hobsbawm |editor2-last=Ranger |editor2-first=Terence |title=The Invention of Tradition |date=1983 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=0521246458 |url= https://archive.org/details/inventionoftradi0000unse/page/n7/mode/2up |url-access=registration |via=Internet Archive |ref=TRH}}
{{refend}}

== External links ==
{{Wiktionary|Highland games}}
{{Commons category|Highland games}}
*[https://www.rshga.org/ Royal Scottish Highland Games Association]
*[http://www.cosca.net Council of Scottish Clans and Associations (COSCA)]
**[https://web.archive.org/web/20110105063631/http://www.cosca.net/gamesfaq.htm "Highland Games FAQ: What to know before you go"]
*[http://www.invernesshighlandgames.com/ Tulloch Inverness Highland Games – Masters World Championships]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20160308224555/http://highlandgames.ch/?c0=navigation&language=en&navigation=31 Swiss Highland Games Championships]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7r7lEWhm0M What Are Highland Games?]
*[https://highlandgamesandfestivals.com/ HighlandGamesAndFestivals.com] event calendar
{{Scotland topics}}
{{Scottish clans}}
{{Gaels}}
{{Celts}}
{{International multi-sport events}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Highland games|Highland games]]