We offer this area of the website as an answer to the when, where, what type of questions. There is a map, showing you roughly where everything takes place, and a programme of events detailing deadline for entry and approximate timings that each event will take place. We have also included event descriptions, with wee snippets of information, photographs and history of the different events. For anyone with an interest in prior years, we have been undertaking a wee project to draw together some previous results which you can see on the results page. We will show (with thanks) the local businesses that are sponsoring each event (with live links, where provided). There is also a listing (for any other businesses keen to help out, financially) of events and infrastructure still in need of support, how to get in touch with any further questions, and the sponsorship form which we are always delighted to receive.
Events Programme
Junior & Senior Piping Competitions take place on the West Links, by Nairn Putting Green. All other events take place at the main arena on Nairn Links, with Nairn Half Marathon running through rural Nairnshire, but, nonetheless, beginning and ending at the arena.
This map, and our logo were designed & created by Zee Allison, for love of the Games. Thanks Zee!
Nairn Highland Games Events and Sponsors 2024
Bagpipe Playing Competitions are held outside the Arena, west of Royal Marine Apartments, near the Putting Green – see map.
Nairn Open Junior Piping Competition – 10.30am onwards William MacDonald Challenge Cup (Under 15 – March) Sponsored by The Play House (in 2024) 2024 winner – Mirren Silver, Inverness
Nairn Games Piping Quaich (Under 15 – Strathspey) Sponsored by Friends of Nairn Games (in 2024) 2024 winner – Mirren Silver, Inverness
Nairn Games Piping Quaich (Under 15 – Reel) Sponsored by Nairn Insurance Services (in 2024) 2024 winner – Larry Presslie, Aberdeen
Asher Silver Challenge Cup (Under 18 – March, Strathspey and Reel) Sponsored by Friends of Nairn Games (in 2024) 2024 winner – Myles MacRae, Gollanfield
Nairn Games Piping Quaich (Under 18 – Piobaireachd) Sponsored by Friends of Nairn Games (in 2024) 2024 winner – Larry Presslie, Aberdeen
Nairn Open Senior Piping Competition - 12 noon onwards
Hugh McCallum Memorial Trophy (Piobaireachd – Open) Sponsored by The Seaforth Club (in 2024) 2024 winner – Anna Kummerlow, Germany
Edwin Moar Memorial Quaich (March – Open) Sponsored by The Bandstand Bar & Restaurant (in 2024) 2024 winner – Anna Kummerlow, Germany
Havelock House Trophy (Strathspey and Reel – Open) Sponsored by The Havelock Hotel (in 2024) 2024 winner – Anna Kummerlow, Germany
Jack Brownlee Memorial Quaich (Jig – Open) Gifted by his friends at Nairn Gaelic Choir Sponsored by The Seaforth Club (in 2024) 2024 winner – Ross Mackenzie, Insch
The Kane Cup Awarded to the overall piping champion. Sponsored by The Seaforth Club (in 2024) 2024 winner – Anna Kummerlow, Germany
Highland Dancing – Premier (Held under SOBHD rules)
1.00pm onwards – Dances in each class: Highland Fling, Sword Dance, Sean Truibhas, Reel of Tulloch, Irish Jig, Sailor’s Hornpipe.
Provost MacDonald Quaich (7 years and under 12 years) Sponsored by Ashers Bakery (in 2024) 2024 winner – Grace MacPhee, Inverness and Emily Duthie, Fraserburgh
Jocelyn Cameron Girl’s Dance Trophy (Under 13 years) Sponsored by Famillie Ronsch (in 2024) 2024 winner – Zara Theobold, Australia
Nairn Ceilidh Group Trophy (12 years and under 16 years) Sponsored by Fergus Ewing (in 2024) 2024 winner – Amy MacRae, Munlochy
Nairn Highland Games Trophy (14 years) 2024 winner - Alice Newlands, Dundee
Adult Dancing
The Steph Smith Cup Sponsored by Hidden Glen (in 2024) 2024 winner – Michelle Gordon, Huntly
Meg Senior Memorial Trophy (Local dancer with the most points) Sponsored by Friends of Nairn Games (in 2024) 2024 winner – Not presented
Elma Dawson Memorial Trophy (Dancer with the most points overall) Gifted by Nairn Ceilidh Group Sponsored by Westerlea Hotel (in 2024) 2024 winner – Alice Newlands, Dundee
Junior Athletics - 11.45am Onwards
Competitors in Nairn Games Junior Athletics Championships must undertake three events: either two field and one track; or one field and two track.
Age group - Under 11 years (must be aged 9 years on day) – 100m, 600m, Long Jump, Shot Putt Under 11 girls Shot Putt sponsored by Limelife Bell Tent Hire (in 2024) Under 11 boys 800m sponsored by Alexander Joinery (in 2024) All other Under 11’s sponsored by Nairn Road Runners (in 2024) 2024 Winners – Girls - Litia Vukicea (Inverness Harriers) 100m, Long Jump & Shot Putt Ciorstaidh MacKinnon (Inverness Harriers) 600m 2024 Winners – Boys - Riley Davidson (Inverness Harriers) 100m & 600m & Long Jump Callum Offor (Unattached) – Shot Putt
Age group - Under 13 years – 100m, 200m, 800m, Long Jump, High Jump, Shot Putt All sponsored by The Rotary Club of Nairn (in 2024) 2024 Winners – Girls - Ava MacGowan (Ross County AC), 100m Lilli Sharman (Aberdeen AAC), 200m & Shot Putt Amy Simpson (Inverness Harriers), 800m Iona Thompson (Inverness Harriers), Long Jump Emma MacMillan (Inverness Harriers), High Jump 2024 Winners – Boys – The Dallas Cup - Niall MacBean – Inverness Harriers Logan Neale (Inverness Harriers), 100m Logan Neale (Inverness Harriers), 200m Niall MacBean (Inverness Harriers), 800m Niall MacBean (Inverness Harriers), Long Jump Ollie Hayden (Nairn AAAC), High Jump Finn Carruthers (Moray Road Runners), Shot Putt
Age group - Under 15 years – 100m, 200m, 800m, Long Jump, High Jump, Shot Putt All sponsored by The Rotary Club of Nairn (in 2024) 2024 Winners - Girls – Alexander M Heard Memorial Cup - Freya Lonnan – Inverness Harriers Freya Lonnen (Inverness Harriers), 100m Freya Lonnen (Inverness Harriers), 200m Lucy Beastall (Inverness Harriers), 800m Freya Lonnen (Inverness Harriers), Long Jump Olivia Cooper (Inverness Harriers), Shot Putt Anna Hirst (Gateshead Harriers), High Jump 2024 Winners – Boys – The Grant Cup - Ewan Thompson (Inverness Harriers) & William MacGowan (Ross County AC) The Jean Laurenson Trophy, High Jump -Angus Millar (Ripon Runners) Harry MacLeod (Inverness Harriers), 100m William MacGowan (Ross County AC), 200m Angus Millar (Ripon Runners), 800m Ewan Thompson (Inverness Harriers), Long Jump Harry MacLeod (Inverness Harriers), Shot Putt
Nairn Games Junior Athletics Trophy Rotary Club of Nairn Cup – Local Under 15 years athlete – Ewan Thompson (Inverness Harriers)
Kiddies Races - 12 noon The Games Committee are thankful to the Nairn Road Runners for sponsoring the Kiddies Races in 2024.
Nairn Half Marathon - 12.30pm Sponsored by Nairn Road Runners (in 2024) 2024 Winners – Men – Will Mackay, 1 hr.10 mins.57 secs – Metro Aberdeen 2024 Winners – Ladies – Molly Rasch – 1 hr.23 mins.35 secs - Poole Runners Local:- 2024 Winners – Men – Kevin Reid, 1 hr.27 mins.06 secs – Nairn Road Runners 2024 Winners – Ladies – Zdenka Fraser – 1 hr.35 mins.49 secs - Nairn Road Runners
Massed Pipe Band Parade and Performances The Massed Pipes and Drums will leave Viewfield at 12.30pm and march to Nairn Links, by way of the A96 and Marine Road.
2.15pm – Massed Pipes and Drums will play in the Arena
2.50pm – Drum Major Competition (Shield gifted by John Matheson) 2024 Winner – Bill Barclay, Towie Smartest Drum Major of the Day (Frances Christie Trophy) – Fraser Dyer, Aberlour & District Pipe Band
3.30pm – March of the Pipes and Drums and British Legion Colour Parties.
4.30pm – Massed Pipes and Drums will dismiss.
Heavy Events – 1.00pm Onwards Lovat Cup - Putting the shot Sponsored by Wetherby B & B (in 2024) 2024 winner – Sinclair Patience
Putting the shot Sponsored by West End Garage (in 2024) 2024 winner – Sinclair Patience
Hamish Davidson Trophy - Putting the shot – Junior Heavies – In memory of Fiona Johnston 2024 winner – Robert Flipsen, Grantown on Spey
Putting the Shot - Junior Heavies 2024 winner - Gabriel Rowland
Putting the shot – Ladies Sponsored by The Dolphin Chip Shop (in 2024) 2024 winner – Iona Esslemont (Dundee Hawkhill Harriers)
Throwing 16lb hammer Sponsored by The Wilkie Family (in 2024) 2024 winner – Sinclair Patience
Throwing the hammer – Junior Heavies Sponsored by Westerlea Hotel (in 2024) 2024 winner – Robert Flipsen
Throwing the 22lb weight for distance Sponsored by Nairn Healthcare Group (in 2024) 2024 winner – Sinclair Patience
Throwing the 22lb weight for distance – Junior Heavies Sponsored by Ritson Young (in 2024) 2024 winner – Gregor King
Throwing the 56lb weight for height Sponsored by James’ cafe (in 2024) 2024 winner – Sinclair Patience
Throwing the 22lb weight for height – Junior Heavies Sponsored by Avon Archaeology (in 2024) 2024 winner – Robert Flipsen
Tug o’ War (Open) Sponsored by Royal Brackla and Land Rover UK (in 2024) 2024 winner - Cawdor Still Game
Tossing the Caber Sponsored by John Gordon & Son, Timber Merchants (in 2024) 2024 winner – Sinclair Patience
Montieth Solicitors Trophy - Tossing the Caber – Junior Heavies Sponsored by Montieth Solicitors Ltd (in 2024) 2024 winner – Robert Flipsen, Grantown on Spey
The Bob Gordon Memorial Trophy – Putting the Nairn Stone Sponsored by Bob Gordon’s Family (in 2024) 2024 winner – Sinclair Patience
MacDonald Fraser Quaich This Quaich is presented annually to the overall winner of the Junior heavyweight events at Nairn Highland Games. This is determined by an allocation of points for each individual win. Sponsored by D Fraser and A MacDonald (in 2024) 2024 winner - Robert Flipsen, Grantown on Spey
Cuach nan Curaidh - translated from the Gaelic as “Cup of the Strong Men” This cup is presented annually to the overall winner of the heavyweight events at Nairn Highland Games. This is determined by an allocation of points for each individual win. Sponsored by Bruce Clark, Butchers (in 2024) 2024 winner – Sinclair Patience
The Chieftain’s Prize - £100 to the overall winner Sponsored by Lord Cawdor (in 2024)
Afternoon Programme of Track and Field
100m race – Senior Men – Hugh MacKintosh Memorial Trophy Sponsored by Seafield Park Partners (in 2024) 2024 winner – Timothee Sesmat
100m – Senior Women Sponsored by Friends of Nairn Games (in 2024) 2024 winner – Iona Esslemont (Dundee Hawkhill Harriers)
High Jump – Senior Men – Tom MacDonald Trophy Sponsored by Friends of Nairn Games (in 2024) 2024 winner – Louis-Gabriel Walker
High Jump – Senior Women Sponsored by Royal British Legion, Nairn (in 2024) 2024 winner – Iona Esslemont (Dundee Hawkhill Harriers)
1,500m race – Senior Men Sponsored by Macaulay Wealth Management Ltd (in 2024) 2024 winner – Alex Jackson (Highgate Harriers)
800m race – Senior Women Sponsored by West End Garage (in 2024) 2024 winner – Iona Esslemont (Dundee Hawkhill Harriers)
800m race – Senior Men Sponsored by Nairn Road Runners (in 2024) 2024 No Competitors
2.15pm Pipes & Drums
200m race – Senior Men (Open) Sponsored by Friends of Nairn Games (in 2024) 2024 winner – Edouard Sesmat
200m race – Senior Women Sponsored by Sandown House B & B (in 2024) 2024 winner – Iona Esslemont (Dundee Hawkhill Harriers)
2.50pm Drum Major Competition
Long Jump – Senior Men Sponsored by Sunnybrae B & B (in 2024) 2024 winner – Timothee Sesmat
Long Jump – Senior Women Sponsored by Pat Fraser, Nairn (in 2024) 2024 winner – Iona Esslemont (Dundee Hawkhill Harriers)
3.30pm Pipes & Drums
The Nairn CAB Trophy - 400m race – Senior Men Sponsored by R & R Urquhart (in 2024) 2024 winner – Callum Thompson (Inverness Harriers)
400m race – Senior Women Sponsored by Friends of Nairn Games (in 2024) 2024 winner – Iona Esslemont (Dundee Hawkhill Harriers)