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1 Day
Join us on a day tour to a real Highland Games where you can soak up the atmosphere and experience the excitement. The Games, or Gatherings, take place in towns and villages throughout the country and are a highlight of the Scottish calendar, making for a truly memorable day out amongst grand Highland scenery.
Adults from $159.00 USD
Concessions from $154.00 USD
Tug o' War
Piping Competitions
Piping Competitions
Highland Dance
Highland Explorer Tours Local Guides
Caber Tossing
Scottish HIghlands
Tour Highlights
Piping Competitions
No Highland Games would be complete without the powerful sounds of bagpipes! During the event, you'll witness numerous skilled pipers compete in solo and band events, filling the air with stirring melodies.
Highland Dancing
Experience mesmerising performances of intricate footwork in iconic Scottish dances like the sword dance and the celebrated Highland Fling. Dancers compete both solo and in groups, dressed in beautifully vibrant attire.
Caber Tossing
Caber tossing is a traditional Scottish sport that involves lifting and flipping a large tapered pole (caber) end over end. The goal is to achieve a perfect "12 o'clock" toss, demonstrating strength and precision.
Hammer Throwing
Athletes demonstrate strength and precision as they spin and release a heavy metal ball attached to a handle, aiming to launch it as far as possible. The perfect showcase of the power and tradition of Scottish athletics.
Highland Dress
The Scottish Highland Dress, with its iconic kilt, sporran, and sgian-dubh, embodies centuries of tradition and symbolises courage and honour. At the Highland Games, participants proudly wear this attire, adding to the event's vibrant atmosphere and cultural significance.
Inclusions
Passionate Local Guide
Ticket to the Highland Games
Scenic Drive through the Highlands
What Other Explorers Say
This was our first visit to Edinburgh and we couldn’t miss a trip to the Luss Highland games. The coach ride was a very comfortable, beautifully scenic 2hour trip to the “west is best”. Sophie is a fantastic storyteller and great DJ - so many good Scottish tunes. I highly recommend this tour!
Amy
06/07/2024
Brilliant day, plenty of free time to enjoy the games and explore the local area. Sophie was a fantastic guide, funny, approachable and friendly and made everything so easy today!!
Mia
06/07/2024
Great day out to watch the Scottish Highland Games. If you've got an extra day in Scotland and the games are on, highly recommend it. Sophie was also fantastic, cheery personality and some quick insight into the history of Scotland as we drove through.
Elena
06/07/2024
Phil was a great guide for our day trip to the Braemar Gathering. He was informative, pleasant and professional. A++++++++ The bus was clean and comfortable with no issues.
Gina
10/09/2023
This trip was great! Highly recommend. It was so fun to see the Games, and our guide stopped at some really nice, off the beaten path places on the way there. Overall a really great day trip.
Hannah
12/06/2022
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the tour depart from?
All our tours to the Highland Games depart from Edinburgh city centre. For more details on your pick-up location, please visit our Departure Info page.
How long is the tour?
Our Highland Games tours typically last around 9 hours*, except for the Braemar Highland Games, which lasts approximately 13 hours*.
*Length of tour may vary depending on traffic and weather conditions.
When are the Highland Games in Scotland 2024?
Highland Games 2024 dates:
- Sun 26 May 2024 - Blair Atholl
- Sun 9 Jun 2024 - Glamis
- Sat 6 Jul 2024 - Luss
- Sun 4 Aug 2024 - Bridge of Allan
- Sun 18 Aug 2024 - Crieff
- Sat 7 Sep 2024 - Braemar
- Sat 14 Sep 2024 - Pitlochry
Is the ticket to the Highland Games 2024 included in the tour price?
Yes, tickets to the Highland Games are included.
When is the Braemar Highland Games 2024?
The world-renown Braemar Highland Games takes place on Saturday 7th September 2024.
What are the Highland Games?
The Highland Games are annual events celebrating Scottish culture and heritage, featuring athletic competitions, music, dance, and various festivities.
What makes the Braemar Highland Games special?
Also known as the Braemar Gathering, the Highland Games in Braemar stand out for their royal patronage, with regular attendance by members of the British royal family. It holds historical significance in Scotland, attracting a global audience year after year.
What happens at the Highland Games?
The Highland Games feature a variety of exciting events such as caber tossing, tug-of-war, hammer throwing, and traditional highland dance competitions. Paired with lively bagpipe music, it's one of the most authentic ways to experience Scottish culture and heritage.
Are there toilet facilities on the coach?
While our coaches don't offer onboard toilets, rest assured that our itineraries include regular comfort stops, allowing frequent access to restroom facilities.
Are your tours accessible?
Our guides are unable to assist with wheelchairs or provide physical assistance during boarding or disembarking from the coach. Passengers should be capable of boarding and disembarking independently using the access stairs or with the help of a traveling companion. Foldable wheelchairs can be stored in our onboard luggage storage during travel.
Please note that some stops on our tours may involve rough terrain or only be accessible by steps.
It's important to be aware that your accommodation may have limited accessibility for wheelchair users. More info can be found on our Accessibility page.
Can I purchase snacks or souvenirs at the stops along the way?
Yes! Our routes include stops where you can grab a snack or recharge with a drink. Occasionally, we pause at shops offering local souvenirs as well. For precise details about timing and stops, don't hesitate to inquire with your guide.
Where can I get a more detailed itinerary?
Although our tours follow a structured plan with key stops, part of the excitement comes from unexpected surprises! We refrain from providing additional details beyond what's outlined here, as factors like weather, traffic, and the preferences of our driver guides may lead to slight deviations. Trust that your journey through Scotland will be unlike any other!
What if I need to cancel my tour?
If you need to cancel your tour, you will need to inform us in writing by sending an email to info@highlandexplorertours.com. You can find our cancellation and refunds policy in section 3 in our Terms and Conditions.
I have more questions. How can you help?
Feel free to visit our general Frequently Asked Questions page for answers to common queries, or reach out to us directly via our Contact Us page.
