Scottish Highland Games Calendar 2026
Updated for 2026
We’ve created this Scottish Highland Games Calendar to make it easy to see all Highland Games dates and locations in one place.
As people who travel around Scotland and spend a lot of time outdoors, we created this calendar not only to bring all Highland Games dates into one place, but also to help people plan a proper trip around them. If you’re visiting one of these events, it’s a great excuse to make a weekend of it — with outdoor equipment, tents, awnings, chairs, and campervans available for hire, you can turn a single day at the games into a relaxed outdoor break without the hassle of organising accommodation.
The calendar below covers Highland Games held across Scotland, including the Highlands, Islands, and mainland, with events typically running from May to September each year.
Full Year 2026 Calendar, Highland Games Scotland
MAY
Sunday, 10th of May 2026
Battery Park, Greenock
Sunday, 17th of May 2026
Gordon Castle Estate, Fochabers, Moray
Sunday, 24th of May 2026
Blair Castle, Pitlochry
Saturday, 30th of May 2026
Blackford Park, Auchterarder
JUNE
Helensburgh and Loch Lomond Highland Games
Saturday, 6th of June 2026
Rugby Park, Helensburgh
Saturday, 6th of June 2026
Cornhill, Aberdeenshire
Sunday, 7th of June 2026
John Dixon Park, Markinch
Sunday, 14th of June 2026
Glamis, Angus
Sunday, 14th of June 2026
Ardrossan Playing Fields, North Ayrshire
Bearsden & Milngavie Highland Games
Saturday, 13th of June 2026
West of Scotland Football Club, Milngavie
Saturday, 20th of June 2026
Craighead Park, Lesmahagow
Saturday, 20th of June 2026
Oldmeldrum Park, Aberdeenshire
Sunday, 21st of June 2026
Hazelhead Park, Aberdeen
Saturday, 27th of June 2026
Drumtochty Castle, Auchenblae
Saturday 27th of June 2026
Bow Butts, Fife
JULY
Wednesday, 1st of July 2026
Kenmore Sports Field, Perthshire
Saturday, 4th of July 2026
Luss, Argyll and Bute
Saturday, 4th of July 2026
Grant Park, Forres
Saturday, 11th of July 2026
Johnstone Park, Alva, Clackmannanshire
Saturday, 11th of July 2026
Bught Park, Inverness
Saturday, 18th of July 2026
Attadale Estate, Strathcarron
Tomintoul and Strathaven Highland Games
Saturday, 18th of July 2026
Tomintoul Park, Moray
Sunday, 19th of July 2026
Mackie Academy Playing Fields, Stonehaven
Monday, 20th of July 2026
Burntisland Links, Fife
Tuesday, 21st of July 2026
Castle Grounds, Inveraray
Thursday, 23rd of July 2026
Erray Park, Mull
Friday, 24th of July 2026
Shore Park, Durness
Balquhidder, Lochearnhead and Strathyre Highland Games
Saturday, 25th of July 2026
Lochearnhead, Perthshire
Saturday, 25th of July 2026
Caithness, Thurso
Saturday, 25th of July 2026
Airth, Falkirk
Saturday, 25th of July 2026
Mortlach School, Dufftown
Sunday, 26th July 2026
Station Park, St Andrews
Wednesday, 39th of July 2026
Traigh Farm, Arisaig
AUGUST
Saturday, 1st of August 2026
John o’ Groats, Caithness
Saturday, 1st of August 2026
The Eilan, Newtonmore
Aberlour Strathspey Highland Games
Saturday, 1st of August 2026
Alice Littler Park, Aberlour
Saturday, 1st of August 2026
Aboyne, Aberdeenshire
Bridge of Allan Highland Games
Sunday, 2nd of August 2026
Games Park, Bridge of Allan
Wednesday, 5th of August 2026
Breadalbane Park, Killin
Wednesday, 5th of August 2026
Portree, Isle of Skye
Friday, 7th of August 2026
Meadows Park, Dornoch
Friday, 7th of August 2026
Culag Park, Lochinver
Friday 7th & Saturday 8th of August 2026
Wades Park, Atholl & Breadalbane
Strathpeffer Highland Gathering
Saturday, 8th of August 2026
Castle Leod, Strathpeffer
Saturday, 8th of August 2026
Inverkeithing Park, Inverkeithing
Saturday, 8th of August 2026
Nethy Bridge, Strathspey
Sunday, 9th of August 2026
North Inch, Perth, Scotland
Sunday, 9th of August 2026
Glenmorangie Ground, Tain
Thursday, 13th of August 2026
Monaltrie Park, Ballater
Saturday, 15th of August 2026
Couper Park, Helmsdale
Saturday, 15th of August 2026
Sports Village, Stirling
Sunday, 16th of August 2026
Market Park, Crieff
Friday, 21st of August 2026
The Haugh, Forter
Saturday, 22nd of August 2026
Rothesay, Isle of Bute
Glenurquhart, Loch Ness Highland Games
Saturday, 22nd of August 2026
Blairbeg Park, Drumnadrochit
Saturday, 22nd of August 2026
Bannerfield, Blairgowrie
Saturday, 22nd of August 2026
Bellabeg Park, Strathdon
Thursday, 27th of August 2026
Oban, Argyllshire
27th of August to 29th of August 2026
Dunoon Stadium, Dunoon
Saturday, 29th of August 2026
Dunkeld, Birnam
SEPTEMBER
Saturday, 5th of September 2026
The Princess Park, Braemar
Sunday, 6th of September 2026
Bogles Field, Blairgowrie
Saturday, 12th of September 2026
Pitlochry, Perthshire
Sunday, 13th of September, 2026
Wallsgreen Park, Bowhill
What Are the Scottish Highland Games?
The Scottish Highland Games are one of Scotland’s most iconic traditions, just as recognisable as bagpipes, tartan kilts, and Scotch whisky. These events have been celebrated across Scotland since the early 1800s and continue to attract visitors from around the world.
At the heart of the Highland Games are the traditional heavy events, where competitors test their strength and skill in disciplines such as the Caber Toss, Hammer Throw, Shot Put, and Tug of War. These events are deeply rooted in Scottish history and clan culture.
Alongside the athletic competitions, the Highland Games are also famous for their music and performance events. Visitors can enjoy Highland Dancing, pipe bands, and drum performances, with massed bagpipes often providing a memorable soundtrack throughout the day.
Modern Highland Games are far more than sporting competitions. They are vibrant cultural festivals celebrating everything Scottish. Many events feature traditional Highland dress, kilts and tartans, clan tents, historic armour displays, and a wide variety of market stalls. Food and drink are a major highlight, with opportunities to sample authentic Scottish cuisine, locally produced goods, and, at many locations, a dram of locally sourced whisky.
The Highland Games are a fantastic day out for all ages and a brilliant way to experience Scotland’s culture, history, and community spirit. If you’re travelling around Scotland in one of our campervans, motorhomes, or with outdoor equipment hired from us, and there’s a Highland Games event taking place nearby, we highly recommend planning a stop and making a full weekend of it.
Looking to Compete in the Highland Games?
Competing in the Scottish Highland Games is often more accessible than people expect. To get started, all you really need is a kilt, a positive attitude, and good sportsmanship.
If you’re interested in taking part in any official events, it’s recommended that you contact the Scottish Highland Games Association in advance. Competitors are usually required to register, particularly as many events offer prizes and trophies for winners.
At many Highland Games, on-the-day registration is also available. This allows competitors to sign up on the morning of the event and choose which disciplines they wish to enter, depending on availability and experience level.
Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or simply keen to give it a try, the Highland Games are a welcoming and memorable way to get involved in Scottish tradition.
More Than Just the Sporting Events
While the athletic competitions are a major part of the Scottish Highland Games, the atmosphere and tradition surrounding the events are just as memorable.
Highland Games are a celebration of Scottish heritage, with historic tartans, traditional kilts, and the unmistakable sound of bagpipes and pipe bands creating a truly unique setting. Throughout the day, visitors can enjoy Highland dancing, drum performances, and ceremonial elements that reflect centuries of tradition.
Food is also a big part of the experience. Most Highland Games feature a wide range of local food and drink stalls, offering freshly prepared, locally sourced Scottish produce. From classic favourites to regional specialities, it’s a real treat for visitors and a great way to sample authentic Scottish flavours.
In addition, you’ll often find stalls selling traditional Scottish crafts, gifts, and souvenirs, making the Games an ideal place to pick up something unique to remember your visit.
Whether you’re attending for the sport, the culture, or simply the atmosphere, the Highland Games offer a full weekend experience that goes far beyond the competitions themselves.
Locations, Countryside & Outdoor Access
The vast majority of Scottish Highland Games take place outside of major cities, often in rural towns, villages, and scenic countryside locations. These quieter settings are part of what makes the Games so special, offering open space, fresh air, and stunning surroundings.
Many of the venues are located near parks, fields, estates, or coastal and Highland areas, where outdoor access is more relaxed and less congested than in city centres. Thanks to Scotland’s Outdoor Access Code, responsible access to land is widely supported, and visitors will often find it easy to locate nearby campsites, local pitches, or suitable areas to park a campervan for the duration of their visit.
Because these events are typically held in less built-up areas, finding a place to set up a tent or stay overnight is usually straightforward with a bit of planning. Local campsites often operate seasonally around Games dates, and many rural communities are accustomed to welcoming visitors during these events.
As always, visitors should follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, respect local landowners, and leave no trace — helping ensure these traditional events remain enjoyable for future generations.
Planning Your Visit to the Highland Games
Most Scottish Highland Games are one- or two-day events, typically held over weekends, as shown in the calendar above.
Many events offer dedicated parking areas and are well suited to visitors travelling by car or campervan, making it easy to plan a relaxed day out or short break around the Games.
Please note that several Highland Games take place on Scotland’s islands. If you’re travelling from the mainland and would like guidance on ferry routes, travel planning, or timing your visit, feel free to contact us and we’ll be happy to help.
For official information about the organisation, rules, and history of the Highland Games, you can also visit the Governing Body of Traditional Highland Games in Scotland.