Braemar Gathering 2023

The Braemar Highland Games, also known as the Braemar Gathering is the last of the Highland games in the North East, occurring on the first Saturday of September every year.

I’d never been before but heard great things; an abundance of events to watch in the main arena, as well as plenty of food and drink offering surrounding the entire event.

I really wasn’t prepared for how many events take place at the same time in the arena! There are over 80 events that take place over the course of the 8 hours the gathering is on.

You’ll have runners around the track while the highland dancers, tug-o-war and hammer throw are all in competition at the same time.

Some highlights were the heavy events; toss the caber, hammer throw, weight over bar and shotput.

You also had the track events; distance running, hill running and relay races.

Tug-o-war was a highlight, with teams from all over Scotland.

Piping and drumming, you could hear these guys before you could see them. Bands from all over Scotland come together to perform as one.

It was a fantastic day full of action, coupled with great food and big cold beers!