The Origins of Highland Games

The first documented Highland Games in Scotland were held in the 1500's and 1600's. They were overwhelmingly festivities and holiday events. There are, however, oral traditions that suggest that these sporting events are much older, and were also a way by which rival chiefs could compete, through revels, without the bloodshed of battle. Clan chiefs and kings are said to have hosted these events for sporting, martial and religious purposes.
We have included summary descriptions of each of our six event types, in this section below -
The track & field events are here; the Athletics and Half Marathon.
Then we have the events requiring reserves of raw strength; the Tug O War and the Heavy Events.
And, of course, the traditional Highland cultural competitions; the Piping and Highland Dancing.

Athletics and the Half Marathon

Fine athletes, as well as being a credit to their village, might also hope to come to the notice of chiefs, lords or even Kings. This all began at a time when there were no roads as we know them today. Runners and jumpers therefore made fine messengers on the rough hill tracks of the day.          
Nowadays we have a busy programme of track and field athletics which play a full part in the success and spectacle of the day. The traditional grass track hosts 100m sprints for all ages, plus competitions at the other classic Olympic distances of 200m, 400m, 800m and 1,500m. The programme also includes the Nairn Half Marathon. This race was founded in 1983, and upgraded to half-marathon length in 1984. Finally, for those who enjoy field events there are high jump, long jump and shot putt competitions.

Long Jump 2024

Tug o War and the Heavy Events

Weight over the Bar 2024

Historically the young men of the villages would have gathered annually on their only holiday. There they would test their strength and ability against each other, using the “tools” of their trades. Hence hauling on ropes, throwing hammers, putting rounded stones, heaving farm weights and tossing tree trunks became the order of the day.
The Heavy Events and the Tug o War have long been an important part of Nairn Games. Tossing the caber was included for the first time in 1870, and today the caber is provided by John Gordon & Son. Cabers would be commonplace in villages, "roof cabers" being part of the structure of any new houses. The other Heavy Events include Weight over the bar, throwing the Scots Hammer and Putting the Shot. An event unique to Nairn Games is “Putting the Nairn Stone”. This stone weighs 16.5 lbs and was used since earliest times. Rounded first by the fast flowing waters of a Highland river, the hands of countless “heavies” have undoubtedly contributed to its shape today.

Piping and Highland Dancing

Highland Games also highlighted the best pipers and dancers - talents useful in the local ceilidh hall, but also alleged to give warriors heart for battles and to celebrate victories. These skills were entertaining and reflected well on the community.           
Among the Piping events are; the Piobaireachd – the classical music of the bagpipes which is often hundreds of years old,
the March – the martial music of the Highlander, and the Strathspey and Reel – the lighter dance tunes.
The Reel also features as one of the Highland Dancing events, along with several others-                              
The Highland Fling -see the dancers making the antlers of the stag with their fingers;                         
The Shean Trubhais - celebrating the end of the ban on the kilt, decades after the Battle of Culloden – where (like the Taylor Swift song) you can see the dancers miming shaking off the hated trousers;                  
The Sword Dance – which again reflects the turbulent history, and showcases excellent agility;
And, of course, major changes of costume for the Irish Jig, and the Sailors Hornpipe.