If you’re visiting the Highlands during summer, there’s a good chance you’ll be interested in visiting a Highland Games. There are plenty of opportunities to go to a Highland Games event in the Cairngorms during July and August.
Highland Games are one of Scotland’s most iconic traditions — a colourful mix of sport, music, dancing, clan culture, and community celebration. For many visitors, attending a Highland Games becomes one of the highlights of their trip to Scotland.
Yet surprisingly, quite a few guests staying at Fraoch Lodge over the years have arrived completely unaware that the Games are taking place at all. Unfortunately, that often means they’re also surprised to discover that accommodation across the Highlands is exceptionally busy during Games season.
So here’s the most important tip right at the start:
If you want to visit the Highland Games — Book early!
The most popular Games attract visitors from all over the world, especially those held in the Cairngorms and Speyside areas. Accommodation in villages such as Braemar, Ballater, and Newtonmore can book up many months in advance.
Fraoch Lodge is an ideal base for attending several Highland Games while still enjoying walking, wildlife, and quieter Highland experiences — but pre-booking your accommodation is absolutely essential if you’re travelling in July, August, or early September.
What are the Highland Games?
Highland Games are traditional Scottish gatherings combining athletic competition, Highland dancing, piping, local food, music, and social celebration.
Some events date back hundreds of years and were originally opportunities for clans and communities to gather, compete, recruit warriors, and celebrate Highland culture.
Today, the Games are wonderfully welcoming community events where locals and visitors mix together. You don’t need any prior knowledge to enjoy them.
Most Games include:
- Caber tossing
- Hammer throwing
- Tug o’ war
- Running races
- Highland dancing
- Solo piping competitions
- Pipe band parades
- Food stalls and craft stands
- Beer tents
- Clan gatherings
- Children’s races and activities
The atmosphere is festive, relaxed, and very family-friendly.
And yes — kilts and whisky often make an appearance too.
If you’ve already read our blogs about Scottish kilts and Speyside distilleries near Fraoch Lodge, the Highland Games bring those traditions together beautifully in one place.
Why go to a Highland Games?
Many visitors initially come for the spectacle — the caber toss, the pipes, the tartans — but leave remembering something else entirely: the atmosphere.
Highland Games are one of the best ways to experience modern Highland community life.
You’ll find:
- Locals cheering on neighbours
- Children joining races
- Pipe bands marching through villages
- Visitors from around the world reconnecting with Scottish ancestry
- Highland dancing competitions running alongside heavyweight events
- Fantastic people-watching opportunities
Unlike large stadium sporting events, Highland Games feel accessible and personal.
You can wander around freely, chat to competitors, browse local stalls, eat good food, and spend the entire day soaking up the atmosphere.
Can visitors join in?
In many cases — yes.
While heavyweight competitions require trained athletes, many Games include:
- Open hill races
- Fun races
- Family activities
- Tug o’ war teams
- Haggis eating competitions
- Informal events for spectators
Some Games actively encourage visitor participation.
Even if you’re not competing, simply joining the crowd, wearing tartan if you wish, and enjoying the day is very much part of the experience.
And no — you do not need to be Scottish to wear a kilt.
Highland Games easily reached from Fraoch Lodge
Fraoch Lodge is well placed for several excellent Highland Games within the Cairngorms and surrounding Highland areas.
Abernethy Highland Games (Nethy Bridge)
Date: Second Saturday in August annually
Travel time from Fraoch Lodge: Around 10 minutes
These are the closest Highland Games to Fraoch Lodge and one of the friendliest and most community-focused events in the area.
Held in the beautiful village of Nethy Bridge, the Abernethy Highland Games offer visitors a wonderfully traditional Highland Games experience without the scale and crowds of some of the larger gatherings.
You’ll typically find:
- Heavy events including caber tossing and hammer throwing
- Highland dancing
- Pipe bands and solo piping
- Running races
- Tug o’ war
- Local food stalls and refreshments
- Children’s races and family activities
- A strong local community atmosphere
Because the Games are so close to Fraoch Lodge, guests can easily enjoy the event without a long drive or concerns about parking and traffic.
Why guests love Abernethy Highland Games
- Relaxed and authentic atmosphere
- Excellent for first-time visitors to the Games
- Easy to combine with walks in the Abernethy Forest
- Great family-friendly event
- A chance to experience a real local Highland gathering rather than a heavily commercialised tourist attraction
How long should you allow?
Most guests spend anywhere from a few hours to a full afternoon at the Games.
It combines particularly well with:
- A morning walk in the Abernethy Forest
- Wildlife watching nearby
- An evening dram back at Fraoch Lodge
Important accommodation tip
Because the Games are held during peak Highland summer season, accommodation throughout Strathspey and the Cairngorms becomes extremely busy.
Many visitors don’t realise the Games are taking place until they start searching for accommodation — by which point availability can already be very limited.
If you’re planning to visit the Highlands during Highland Games season, early booking is strongly recommended.
Newtonmore Highland Games
Date: Saturday 1 August 2026
Travel time from Fraoch Lodge: Approximately 30 minutes
Newtonmore hosts one of the most traditional and enjoyable Highland Games in the Highlands.
Set in the heart of Badenoch, the Games combine:
- Heavy events
- Highland dancing
- Pipe bands
- Athletics
- Clan Macpherson Gathering
- Hill races
- Craft stalls
- Local community atmosphere
The Games are closely tied to Highland culture and the local shinty tradition, giving visitors a particularly authentic experience.
How long should you allow?
Plan for most of the day — typically from late morning into the afternoon.
Many guests combine the Games with:
- A scenic drive through Badenoch
- A visit to the Highland Folk Museum
- A short local walk
- Watching shinty if fixtures coincide
Ballater Highland Games
Date: Thursday 13 August 2026
Travel time from Fraoch Lodge: Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes
Known as “The Friendly Games on Royal Deeside,” Ballater Highland Games are particularly welcoming for visitors and families.
Events include:
- Caber tossing
- Tug o’ war
- Pipe bands
- Highland dancing
- Hill races
- Food stalls
- Clan displays
- Fairground attractions
The Games run from morning until around 5pm.
Ballater itself is also well worth exploring, with attractive shops, cafés, and excellent scenery nearby.
Why guests love Ballater
- Easy to follow for first-time visitors
- Strong community feel
- Beautiful Cairngorms setting
- Excellent photography opportunities
- Great combined day out with Royal Deeside sightseeing
Braemar Gathering
Date: Saturday 5 September 2026
Travel time from Fraoch Lodge: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes
This is Scotland’s most famous Highland Games.
The Braemar Gathering regularly attracts members of the Royal Family and visitors from around the world. Attendance can reach around 16,000 people despite Braemar itself being a very small village.
Highlights include:
- Massed pipe bands
- Elite heavyweight competitions
- Highland dancing
- Traditional athletics
- Royal connections
- Incredible Cairngorm scenery
Important to know
The Braemar Games were a favourite of the late Queen. You can probably still see a member of the Royal family there, which is one reason why they are so popular.
Braemar accommodation books out extremely early.
Staying at Fraoch Lodge allows you to attend the Gathering while avoiding the difficulty of trying to stay directly in Braemar itself.
How long should you allow?
A full day.
Traffic can also be heavy around Braemar during the event, so it’s wise to leave early and allow extra travel time.
What should you wear?
There’s no dress code.
Many visitors wear:
- Waterproof jackets
- Walking shoes or boots
- Layers
- Something tartan if they wish
Weather in the Highlands can change quickly — even in August.
You’ll often see:
- Locals in everyday outdoor clothing
- Visitors in kilts
- Pipe bands in full Highland dress
- Athletes in competition gear
Comfort matters more than formality.
Tips for enjoying the Games
Arrive early
Parking and traffic become increasingly busy through the morning.
Bring cash
Some stalls and smaller events may not accept cards.
Expect weather
Sunshine, wind, and rain can all happen in one afternoon.
Stay flexible
Part of the charm is wandering around and discovering events as they happen.
Combine the Games with other experiences
Many guests pair a Games visit with:
- Walking in the Cairngorms
- Distillery visits
- Scenic drives
- Wildlife watching
- Local cafés and villages
Highland Games and Walking Holidays
For guests staying at Fraoch Lodge, Highland Games fit beautifully into a wider Highland holiday.
You can spend one day enjoying:
- Quiet mountain walks
- Ancient Caledonian pine forests
- Wildlife watching
…and the next immersed in:
- Pipe bands
- Highland dancing
- Caber tossing
- Scottish culture and celebration
The combination gives visitors a much fuller picture of Highland life — both past and present.
Planning your Highland Games stay at Fraoch Lodge
If attending a Highland Games is on your Scotland wish list, we strongly recommend booking accommodation well in advance.
Summer dates around:
- Newtonmore
- Ballater
- Braemar
- Inverness Highland Games
can become extremely busy throughout the Highlands.
Fraoch Lodge offers a peaceful base within reach of several excellent Games while also providing:
- Guided walking holidays
- Comfortable accommodation
- Local knowledge
- Wildlife and nature experiences
- Easy access to Speyside and the Cairngorms
We’re always happy to help guests plan visits to the Highland Games alongside walking routes, distilleries, and other local experiences.
For many visitors, it becomes one of the most memorable days of their Scottish holiday.