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The Highland
Games at Pitlochry
(see the What's on page for September for
details of this years games)
The first Pitlochry Highland Games was
held on the 10th September 1852 and has been held annually
except for the period of the World Wars. The event has changed
over the years to include dancing, bicycle races which continue
to this day.
The Pitlochry Highland Games Committee
have always tried to make sure the games are run along the
lines of a traditional Highland Games with competitors coming
from all over Scotland to participate.
60 years as Games Chieftain,
 is
a remarkable record set by Major Sir David Butter, KCVO, MC of
Cluniemore, Pitlochry, 1946 to 2006. In common with many
Highland Games the leading local family usually provides the
Games Chieftain. In this case Major Butter's family have lived
in the area for many years, so it is very fitting that he is the
Games
 Chieftain
and it is a grate credit to him that he has taken on the task
for such an extended period of time. It must be one of the
longest periods one person has been chieftain of a Highland
Games.
The Pitlochry Highland Games in common with
many other Highland Games across Scotland starts with the
local pipe band marching on to the games field ahead of the
Games Chieftain and local dignitaries and Clan Chieftains. There
follows a full programme of events, from solo piping
competitions, traditional heavy weight events for the strong men
which include, Putting the Stone, Throwing the hammer, Throwing
the weight for distance, Tossing the caber, and throwing the
weight over the Bar.
 You
will also see a day long event of Highland Dancing which is
fiercely competitive amongst most girls, but I am pleased to say we
are starting to see boys competing as well now. The
different categories of dancing are The Highland Fling, The
Sword Dance, Seann Truibhas (meaning the old trousers - with
origins dating back to after the Jacobite Risings when the
government in Westminster, London forced the Highlanders to wear
 trousers
when ever they went to town). The other dances are Hullachan,
the Sailors' Hornpipe, and Irish Jig .
The Pipe Band competition sees bands
arriving from different parts of Scotland competing under
the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Rules. There is also a
Pipe Majors' Competition and a massed parade of pipe bands.
Throughout the day there are track and field
 events
being held, these include Childrens' Races for Boys and
Girls, Children's sack races, various distance foot races which
are handicapped, great fun to watch to see how well
the handicappers have judged the competitors, as they all
should end un on the finish line all together. There are cycle
races, relay, long jump competitions all adding to the
entertainment on the games field.
 The
Tug of War competition is one of the most exhausting and
competitively fought-over contests you will see. Here you will
see 8 men pulling against another team of eight, coached by an additional member of the team who
encourages the team and shouts instructions of technique to
ensure they pull their opposite number across the line. It is
surprising to find that tug of war is such a fiercely fought
over event especially in the Highlands of Scotland. This event
is well worth watching, the techniques are well established and
enthralling to watch for the spectator.
Around the Pitlochry Highland Games field
to one side is some excellent banked terracing which gives
spectators a grand view of the whole ground. On the other three
sides there are a whole series of stalls which are full of
different goods from crafts to jewellery, local organisations
such as Pitlochry in Bloom fund raising for the magnificent
floral displays in the town each year. There is also the ever
popular beer tent, which has its gathering of competitors,
visitors and locals alike.
 The
many businesses in Pitlochry each year support the Pitlochry
Highland Games which are enjoyed by the many visitors to
the town. On the Games weekend beds are hard to come by, so it
is highly recommended that you book early to ensure you get your
preferred accommodation.
Remember to double click on any of the
above images to see in more detail the Pitlochry
Highland Games.
Aberfeldy Highland Games / Blair Atholl Highland Games / Pitlochry Highland Games / Rannoch Highland Gathering | 
