Hi Everyone! I enjoy the Highland Games that I've attended here in northern New England. That got me to thinking, though. If I enjoy the games presented here in this tiny corner of the country, there must be some mighty impressive Games in Scotland! Have any of you experienced a real, authentic Highland Game in Scotland? If so, where, and if you can recall, the month it takes place? Any websites that you know of that would correspond to your experience would be terrific!
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
Diane, I too have enjoyed games in the US and while I've not managed to get to games in my many trips to Scotland it sure is on my list of the things to do soon! There is a great website, visitscotland.com that is always a good place to start when researching anything Scotland. Here's the specific link to the games that are held all over Scotland. http://www.visitscotland.com/guide/see-and-do/events/ There's a calendar on that site for the 2008 games and you can figure that it will be similar next year. The Braemar Gathering is really big. I think that the others range in size. Next year is Homecoming 2009. This is a calendar of events scheduled to encourage people of Scottish heritage to visit Scotland. I've not made plans yet, but have been thinking about it!
Pam
Posted by
Columbus, OH, USA
208 posts
Diane -
If you have a chance to go to the Braemar Gathering, I would highly recommend it!! We attended in 2002 for the Queen's Jubilee - it was fantastic! She (HM The Queen) has such lovely skin! We saw her and the Duke of Edinburgh. It was one of the best things I've done on a vacation!
We also went to the Cowal Highland Gathering (same trip) and visited a piper-friend. Yeah - had champagne for breakfast and whisky for lunch! Then I had to find a piper in a beer tent! It would be easier to find a needle in a haystack! We did find him and it was a good time! If you go to Cowal, be sure to stick around for the pipers to march out - I have been told it is amazing - but we had to get to Crainlarich Hostel or we would be homeless for the night!
PS - no tix needed in advance for Cowal. Just pay at entry. Braemar - we had great seats in the grandstands - reserved WELL in advance! Contact the official website for details.
Posted by
OP
Union, Maine, USA
95 posts
Bonne,
The Braemar Gathering sounds like just the ticket! Thanks. Still open to others' thoughts and suggestions.