Kokova Magazine

Nothing screams Scotland more than the bagpipes and traditional Highland games. We take a look at Scotland’s original festival – the Highland gathering as well as key piping events.

Scotland’s Highland Gatherings

Each summer between May and September Highland games or gatherings from large scale extravaganzas to intimate community affairs are held right across the length and breadth of the country. Highland games traditionally consist of piping and Highland dancing competitions, ‘heavy events’ such as the tug of war, tossing the caber and the hammer throw as well as track and field sports.

Held in the open air, in parkland and often on castle grounds, a visit to a traditional Highland gathering is a great way of taking in a huge slice of Scottish culture and tradition in some unforgettable scenery.

Highland games across Scotland

Perth Highland Games is one of the most popular events in the Scottish games calendar. Held annually since 1977 the games attract large crowds and international pipe bands for the piping competitions.

On an even grander scale, The Braemar Gathering has a patronage by HM The Queen, and a history that can be traced back to 1832; making for a very special event. Visitors to this friendly and hospitable gathering can expect Scottish Massed Pipe Bands of the highest calibre while teams from HM forces battle it out in the Interservices Unit tug of war and international athletes compete in the track and field events.

This exceptional gathering is traditionally attended by members of the Royal Family. Historically, The Glenfinnan Gathering takes place each year on the Saturday closest to the anniversary of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Raising of the Standard in 1745, the games take place at the exact location – close to the Jacobite Monument on the banks of Loch Shiel.

Bute Highland Games located in Rothesay on the Isle of Bute have been held, in their modern incarnation, since 1947. Past Chieftains of the games have included HRH The Prince of Wales.

Aside from the traditional highland events, Crieff Highland Gathering, now in its 126th year, hosts the Scottish Professional Heavyweight Championship, attracting heavyweight competitors from around the world to compete. This popular and colourful gathering is a favourite with locals and overseas visitors alike.

Celebrating 140 years of Highland games is the popular Argyllshire Gathering and the Oban Games. One of the country’s oldest gatherings, the event attracts many global competitors for their World championship solo piping titles and Scottish championship track and field and Highland dancing titles.

Piping Live!

Around Scotland a number of piping competitions are solely dedicated to showcasing the diversity of the bagpipes, from solo piping to the great Massed Bands. Of all the events, the mighty Piping Live! – Glasgow International Piping Festival, has to be the largest.

An impressive 30,000 spectators are expected to attend this year’s extravaganza on the 9th-15th August, to see an incredible 8,000 pipers from around the globe. A huge display of musicians from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Ireland, France, The United States and, of course, the cream of Scotland’s pipe bands will bring the best of modern and traditional piping to Glasgow in what is described as ‘the beating heart of world piping.’

Events featuring both internationally acclaimed artists and rising stars are staged all over the city in a variety of venues from Glasgow Royal Concert Hall to the Renfrew Ferry moored on the River Clyde. George Square is home to the festival’s main open air stage.

Visitors can expect free highlights throughout the festival of headlining acts from full pipe bands to solo artists. The Glenfiddich Single Malt Scotch Whisky Tent will have barrel and whisky making demonstrations and, of course, tasters too.

The event will also feature concerts by additional traditional music acts: Capercaille, celebrated Scots Gaelic singer Julie Fowlis, the Battlefield Band, Finlay Macdonald and Chris Stout, The Treacherous Orchestra and Breabach.

World Pipe Band Championships

The highlight of the festival for many is the finale, the spectacular World Pipe Band Championships. Held at Glasgow Green over the course of one day, the championships attract the world’s top piping bands. Entrants this year include bands from Canada, USA, New Zealand, Scotland, Northern Ireland and England.

Drawing crowds in excess of 40,000, the event also features the Glasgow World Highland Games, Highland dancing competitions and Taste of Scotland – offering the finest Scottish regional food.

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

Viewed by 217,000 at the live event each August, and a further 100 million televised around the world, the Tattoo really is the godfather of all piping events. Featuring Massed Pipes and Drums and Massed Military Bands from as far afield as Nepal, South Africa and New Zealand the event is nothing short of spectacular.

Set against the backdrop of Edinburgh Castle and ending in an emotional finale of all the bands, coupled with a dramatic firework display, it’s simply breathtaking.

Courtsey of www.scotland.org