Inverness Highland Games 2025

29th April 2025

The Inverness Highland Games experience

For hundreds of years, the Highland Games has been a celebration of brute strength, local wares and age-old traditions. In other words, a celebration of all things Scottish. Over the years the games have evolved from tests of strength and stamina, to include demonstrations of dance and music to keep kings, queens and chieftains entertained. Today the games are a tribute to our past and a testament to our future. It’s why we love the Highland Games! A day of good clean family fun and “kilty” pleasures. And where better to celebrate this rich and vibrant heritage than with our local Inverness Highland Games, taking place on Saturday 12th July 2025!

Traditional scottish pipe band in kilt at Highland Games
In 2025, the Inverness Highland Games will celebrate its 203rd anniversary.

The Highland Games across Scotland

With over 60 Highland Games events taking place across Scotland annually, the games are a marker of illustrative Scottish history and culture. Believed to have originated in Ireland around 2000 B.C. the games have gained increasing popularity. Today, athletes and amateurs worldwide flock to the games to compete against each other across various platforms.

Strong man throwing a weight at a Scottish Highland Games
The games include a programme of sporting events to test strength and skill.

The Highland Games in Inverness

The Inverness Highland Games will take place on Saturday 12th July 2025 at Bught Park Pitches, just a short drive from Kingsmills Hotel and Central Inverness. This will be the 203rd anniversary of our city’s games, which began in 1822.

There will be events such as long jump, piping, Highland dancing, tossing the caber, hammer throw and running races. Take a look at our blog on traditional Highland Games events for an idea of what to expect.

Three traditional Highland dancers
The programme also includes traditional music and dance events.

Inverness hotel accommodation

Visiting the Highland Games can be an exhilarating and exhausting experience all at once. Why not book into our beautiful four-star accommodation at the Kingsmills Hotel and Spa? Situated in the heart of Inverness, this is the perfect location to set base for your trip. Only a 10-minute drive or 30-minute walk from the games and we have a selection of rooms, including family rooms. Take a look at our special offers and book your break today!

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