Past, Present, Future: 1,000 years of history.

  • Man participating in a Scottish Highland Games caber toss event, wearing a kilt and black t-shirt, amid other spectators and participants on a grassy field during rain, with tents, umbrellas, and flags in the background.

    History of the 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    The first historical reference to the type of events held at Highland games in Scotland was made during the time of King Malcolm III (Scottish Gaelic: Máel Coluim, c. 1031 – 13 November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.

    History
  • Man in kilt throwing a massive stick during an outdoor event, with several spectators watching.

    Modern Games

    The modern Highland games are largely a 19th-century development, from the period following the Jacobite rebellions and subsequent ban on Highland dress.

    Modern Era
  • Man in traditional Scottish attire swinging a stick at a haggis during an event, with spectators sitting in bleachers in the background.

    Notable Highland Games

    Highland games (Scottish Gaelic: geamannan Gàidhealach) is a competitive 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 Celtic culture, especially that of the Scottish Highlands.

    Games