The Highland Games (Scottish Gaelic: geamannan Gàidhealach) is a competitive strength sport held during the spring and summer in Scotland and in various countries with a significant Scottish diaspora. These events celebrate Scottish and Celtic culture, particularly that of the Scottish Highlands. Some elements of the games have become iconic symbols of Scotland, including the bagpipes, the kilt, and the heavy events—such as the stone put, Scottish hammer throw, weight throw, weight over bar, caber toss, keg toss, and sheaf toss. While the competitions focus on piping, drumming, dancing, and Scottish heavy athletics, the games also feature entertainment and exhibits showcasing other aspects of Scottish and Gaelic culture.
One of the most prominent Highland Games is the Cowal Highland Gathering, commonly known as the Cowal Games, held every August in Dunoon, Scotland. It is the largest Highland Games in Scotland, drawing approximately 3,500 competitors and around 23,000 spectators from across the world. However, in terms of attendance, three U.S.-based gatherings surpass it:
Grandfather Mountain Highland Games in North Carolina, which attracts an estimated 30,000 spectators.
New Hampshire Highland Games & Festival, with over 35,000 attendees annually.
The Scottish Highland Gathering and Games in Pleasanton, California—the largest in the Northern Hemisphere—which has been held annually since 1866. Its sesquicentennial event on September 5–6, 2015, set a record attendance of nearly 50,000.
The Highland Games are also believed to have influenced Baron Pierre de Coubertin in his efforts to revive the Olympic Games. He witnessed a Highland Games exhibition at the Paris Exposition of 1889, which may have contributed to his vision for modern Olympic competitions.
