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Highlander Festivals in Scotland

Thinking about going to Scotland in 2022 to a Highlander Festival, is it worth going to one and if so which one is the best one to attend? Any other festivals in Scotland to consider?
Thank you Sonja

Posted by
26840 posts

The Edinburgh Festival (performing arts), the Fringe Festival (also performing arts) and the military Tattoo at the castle--all in Edinburgh in August--are very big deals. The cost of lodging is significantly elevated during that period.

Posted by
265 posts

This website might help give you a few pointers where the Highland Games calendar is concerned. Of course this year and last year saw many if not all cancelled, but hopefully 2022 will mean business as usual.

www.shga.co.uk

You could keep an eye on this page of the Visit Scotland website for events other than Highland Games which may be happening next year

https://www.visitscotland.com/see-do/events/

Posted by
4761 posts

They have Highlander festivals!?!? Where? When? I LOVED that series!!! Jamie Fraser can't hold a candle to Duncan MacLeod.

Posted by
265 posts

I think perhaps something may have got lost in translation. I've never seen or heard of a Highlander Festival with regards the Christopher Lambert films taking place in Scotland. That said, I would not class myself as a fan of the films (unlike a friend of mine who named her son after Connor MacLeod) although I have seen them all, so who knows what I have missed all these years.

I'm wondering if the original poster is thinking of highland games and gatherings and events such as the Edinburgh Festival which take place up and down the country through the spring and summer months.

Posted by
4761 posts

I'm wondering if the original poster is thinking of highland games and
gatherings

I'm sure that's what she meant. My post was just a bit of fun with her misspellings.

Posted by
265 posts

Well fun does seem to be in short supply these days ...............

Posted by
5678 posts

So many festivals in Scotland to enjoy. I hope that they are coming back soon, if not this year than next spring and summer. So it looks like the Tarbert Music Festival is on for September. I attended this back in 2001 and first saw a green electric violin. It was amazing. I think that the Celtic Connections Festival may be back. I was so happy that I got to see some of it virtually last January. I am still hoping to attend in person some day. I hope they are all back soon.

Posted by
255 posts

We planned to attend the Highland Games in Stirling August. 2018. Our welcoming comfortable B&B was across the street from a park, located where we could walk wherever we wanted to go, including the location of the Games, a small pasture like area. The atmosphere was that of a very small county fair. We may have been the only “out of towners” other than a runner competing in the 2 kilometer wearing a purple U-Dub track uni. We had a nice visit with him, and discovered out he is a Scottish born and raised recruit on the Huskies track team. The Northwest was well represented. He was a contender, but not the victor. The performers of the dance, the pipers, and the kilted athletes ranged from all ages. Local faire, tartans, the music, and the spirit of Scots.
At the end of the day we found a tavern filled to the brim with locals, so we knew it was going to be good, and it most certainly was. Welcomed to share a booth with another couple, we made new friends. The castle perched on the hills above the Stirling beckoned the ghost of William Wallace, the hometown and national hero. My husband was and will always be a college baseball coach. For inspiration, when the time in a season was ripe, he would bat William Wallace 3rd in the line up card he posted on the dugout wall. We shared this with our booth buddies, the gentleman a scotch distributer by trade. It brought him tears of pride. Our tour guide at the castle was absolutely delightful! The last night in Stirling was a surprise beyond belief. Our host mentioned a renowned Scottish rock band, RunRig was performing on their farewell tour and we could probably get tickets, standing room only in the pasture half a kilometer walk away. A massive jet black stage sat on the mowed down hay. The sound equipment made sure the fans in Edinburg wouldn’t miss out. The concert began in time for the stunning orange and blue sunset. RunRig rocked our socks off. And, the opening act? Julie Fowlis, Touch of Sky from Braveheart! Hauntingly beautiful. Breathtaking experience! As you can imagine, our memories of the Highland games in Stirling hold a special place in our hearts. Fortunately, the Highland Games happen in countess locations on dates surrounding end of summer into fall. Enjoy!