Scotland's first Highland Games of the summer season to kick off this weekend

Daily Record

07-05-2025

The event will include a classic caber toss, dancing competitions, and much more.
Scotland is renowned for many things, whether that be its whisky or cuisine. Another major and historic aspect of our culture is the Highland Games.
Highland Games refers to a competitive strength sport event that is usually held over the summer in Scotland. With different games taking place across the country during the season, they are a celebration of Scottish and Celtic culture—particularly that of the Scottish Highlands.
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This weekend marks the first major Highland Games of the season. The Gourock Highland Games will take place at Battery Park in Inverclyde on Sunday, May 11, between 12pm and 6pm.
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The 67th annual Gourock Highland Games will include a number of heavyweight events, with a record number of applicants according to organisers.
Traditionally, Highland Games features events such as the stone put, the Scottish hammer throw, the caber toss, and the sheaf toss.
The free-to-attend games will also include pipe band and drum competitions, with many bands competing for a variety of trophies. Additionally, the West of Scotland Highland Dance Championships will take place at the games.
Another highlight of the Gourock Highland Games will be a circus skills stall hosted by the local Beacon Arts Centre. Meanwhile, Inverclyde librarians will be putting on activities for all ages such as book folding and sessions with local heritage volunteers.
For younger visitors, the Gourock Highland Games will feature a variety of children's entertainment. Pupils from local schools will even be taking part in their own miniature-Highland Games.
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Finally, Battery Park will play host to a number of gift and craft stalls and food vendors. Completing the festivities will be vintage fire engines, a climbing wall, and a funfair.
The chieftan of this year's Gourock Highland Games is local Guide leader Sandra McColl, who commented: "I was asked to be chieftain back in January and I can't believe the big day is nearly here.
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"I've been going to the games for years with the Guides so I know what a brilliant event it is for the whole community of Inverclyde and for the competitors who take part in the heavy, piping and Highland dancing events.
"I understand there has been a record number of entries to the heavy and Highland dancing events. The number of applications for stalls and food vendors was also the highest it's ever been.
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"The games already have a fantastic reputation for a great day out and word is spreading. I can't wait for it to be here and I'm sure the people of Inverclyde will be out to support the games once again."
The first Gourock Highland Games took place in July, 1956, in honour of the official opening of the playing fields at Gourock Park. At the time, organisers believed that a Highland Gathering would have a broader appeal than a traditional sports meeting.
As part of the inaugural games, eight pipe bands competed and the West of Scotland Highland Dance Championship was established—with more than 50 dancers taking part. Among the events were a 14-mile road race, relay races, a caber toss, and a tug of war.
The Gourock Highland Games were initially held in Gourock Park. However, the games moved to the nearby Battery Park for more space and to allow easier access for competitors and spectators.
More information about the Gourock Highland Games can be found on the Inverclyde Council website.