Braemar is a tiny picturesque village located in the Grampian Highlands of Scotland. This scenic stone village is located at the confluence of two rivers the Clunie and the Dee and it typifies all that you expect to see in Scotland as it has mountains and hills covered with heather, babbling brooks that rush over rocks and ancient castles. The village in fact contains the ruins of two castles Kindrochit Castle which was built in 1390 and whose ruins are located in the center of the village and Braemar Castle which was built by the Earl of Mar in 1628 but which was burned down sixty years later only to be rebuilt as the turreted edifice that stands as it today.
Highland Games Poster- Photo Credit- Joan Thewlis
Every year in the month of September, people from all over the world converge on Braemar not only for its charming Scottish delights but for the annual hosting of an event known as the Braemar Gathering which is a display of another Scottish tradition known as the’ Highland Games’. The Braemer Games were established in 1832 and they received royal seal of approval during the reign of Queen Victoria in 1848. The British royal family continues to attend the games until today as Queen Elizabeth is the patron of these games. In fact the Queen’s summer retreat the Balmoral Castle is located at a distance of a few miles from Braemar.
Queen Elizabeth arriving at the Braemar Gathering. Photo Credit-Ejbaurdo
These Highland games which consists of Pipe and drum competitions, highland dancing, caber-tossing, shot putting, hammer throwing, tug-of-war events and other children’s events like sack racing are traditionally held on the first Saturday in September and this year the event is to be held on Saturday ,the sixth of September. The event as always will be held at pretty location of The Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park in Braemar which is located in the center of Braemar’s many tall heather clad hills. The games are full of pomp and pagentary and include traditional kilt wearing participants.
Throwing the hammer Photo Credit-Andy Davy
The event this year as usual will start at 9.30 am and end at 5.30 pm and the program of events this year includes highland dancing, piping, tossing the caber, putting the stone, throwing the hammer, sprints, relay races and a hill run which will be conducted on Monroe hill, long leap, tug of war and the children’s sack race. Approximately 20,000 gather at Braemar each year to enjoy the friendly and hospitable Highland Games.
Children's sack race - Photo Credit- JonJowsey
Tickets for the event have been on sale on the website of the games since February this year. Non ticket holders will also be allowed watch the games by paying fee on the day of the games at one of the many pay boxes located at the event. This fee will be £ 8 for adults and £ 2 for children.
Tug of War- Photo Credit - Ejbaurdo
The best way for you to attend these world renowned Highland Games of Braemar is to fly into the Scottish capital city of Edinburgh which is located at a distance of ninety miles from Braemar. You could stay at one of the many hotels located in the city of Edinburgh like Haymarket Hotel, The Bank Hotel, and Castle Apartments. A number of local tour companies in Edinburgh conduct special day trips from Edinburgh for the Braemar gathering and thus provide an ideal way to attend this fun and extremely colorful event.
Braemar Pipes - Photo Credit - Hui-Chun-Chen
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This entry was posted on Thursday, September 4th, 2008 at 2:41 pm and is filed under Europe, Fun. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
September 7th, 2008 at 1:35 am
You’re right on. Couldn’t have said it better myself. -Pete
December 21st, 2008 at 11:54 am
That hammer throw is pretty scary looking. Makes the shotput look like a cakewalk.
May 12th, 2009 at 4:07 pm
Can you believe I was actually at these games? Thank you for some great memories.
May 14th, 2009 at 3:33 am
Glad you enjoyed the post which evoked special memories for you. Do check back often.
May 24th, 2009 at 12:27 am
Looks fun!
May 24th, 2009 at 4:46 am
Thanks for visiting. Do check back often.