Highland games are held across the highland region in spring and summer as a way of celebrating Scottish and Celtic culture, especially that of the Scottish Highlands – certain aspects of the games are so well known as to have become emblematic of Scotland – bagpipes, the kilt, and the heavy events, especially the caber toss – however the games are centred upon competitions in piping and drumming, dancing, and Scottish heavy athletics – the games also include entertainment and exhibits related to other aspects of Scottish and Gaelic culture.

The Cowal Highland Gathering – known as the Cowal Games, held in Dunoon every August is the largest Highland games in the world attracting around 3,500 competitors.

The origins of the games are shrouded in legend & myth – however King Malcolm III of Scotland in the 11th century – summoned contestants to a foot race to the summit of Craig Choinnich overlooking Braemar – King Malcolm created this foot race in order to find the fastest runner in the land to be his royal messenger – some folk see this apocryphal event to be the origin of today’s modern Highland games – the truth is the modern Highland games are largely a Victorian invention – developed after the Highland Clearances.

Events – In their original form many centuries ago Highland games revolved around athletic and sports competitions – with other activities part of the festivities – today many still consider Highland athletics to be what the games are all about – the caber toss – has come to almost symbolise the Highland games – The Stone put –  The Scottish hammer throw – Weight throw – Sheaf toss – Maide-leisg Scots Gaelic meaning ‘Lazy Stick’ are other interesting disciplines competed in.