About
The first Peebles Highland Games
It all started back in 1972…
when the Peeblesshire Tourist Association held the first local Pipe Band Contest.
Over the years, highland dancing, heavy events, haggis hurling, art & crafts stalls, trade stalls, fun fair and much more have been added to give us today's Peebles Highland Games.
The games are held on the first Saturday in September each year starting with a Chieftains Parade at 10:45 from the Tontine Hotel in town to the games site at Hay Lodge Park.
The Peebles Highland Games Association now organises the event. We are a group of volunteers that would love to speak with you if you would like to sponsor an event, advertise in the programme, or volunteer to help us.
A Bit of History
Some believe the roots of the Highland games date as far back as the 11th century, when King Malcolm III called a foot race to the summit of Craig Choinnich, near Braemar, in the hopes of finding the fastest runner in the land to become his personal courier. Many games still include a hill race, although the winner is no longer destined for a life of servitude! The games evolved into a test not only of strength and stamina, but also of creative dance and music skills, to keep kings, queens and clan chiefs entertained. Highland games as we know them today have been celebrated around Scotland since the 1800s