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Gourock Highland Games

May 11

Free
Gourock attractions

Gourock Highland Games

Gourock Highland games is held on the second Sunday of May. This year it will be held on the 11th May 2025. The event is the first Highland games of the year and is held at Battery Park in Gourock. The location, Battery park is a large park situated on the coast next to the firth of Clyde.

 

Gourock Highland Games

What to expect

The event has a pipe band competition, heavy weight events and Highland dance. The attendance is normally around 10,000 people at this event.

  • 12.00 pm Games Open
  • Piping Championships
  • Highland dancing championships, including the West of Scotland Highland Dance Championships
  • Heavy Competition including tossing the caber
  • Come & try events including golf, tennis and cricket
  • Pipe band march & Chieftain Parade
  • Plus a range of other fun activities and events.
  • A range of craft stalls
  • 6.00 pm Event closes

Events and Competitions

The Gourock Highland Games feature a wide variety of events and competitions that showcase the best of Scottish culture and tradition. The events include traditional Scottish music, dancing, and athletics, as well as food and drink stalls.

One of the most popular events at the Gourock Highland Games is the caber toss. The caber is a large, tapered pole made of wood, and the object of the event is to toss the caber so that it lands as straight as possible. The event requires tremendous strength, balance, and technique, and it is one of the most challenging events in the Scottish Highland Games.

Other events at the Gourock Highland Games include the hammer throw, the stone put, the weight throw, and the tug of war. There are also several running events, including the 100-meter dash, the 400-meter dash, and the 800-meter dash. The games also feature a range of traditional Scottish dances, including the Highland Fling, the Sword Dance, and the Seann Triubhas.

The Gourock Highland Games are also famous for their pipe and drum bands. These bands are an essential part of Scottish culture, and they provide a fantastic spectacle at the games. The bands play a range of traditional Scottish music, including marches, strathspeys, and reels.

How to get there

There is no parking for the event so it is best to utilise public transport where possible. Fort Matilda train station is located close by. Just across the road from the park. Train timetable and prices can be found on the Scotrail website.If travelling by car Gourock is located approximately 30 miles west from Glasgow city centre along the M8 motorway and then the A8 road.

More information can be found on the Gourock Highland Games Website

Where to Stay

The Premier Inn Greenock offers great priced rooms close the games if booked well in advance.

Other Highland Games

During the year there are many Highland games across the country. Here is our list of those events:

Overall, the Gourock Highland Games are an essential part of Scottish culture and tradition. The event celebrates the best of Scotland, and it provides a fantastic day out for families and individuals of all ages. Whether you are a visitor to Scotland or a local resident, the Gourock Highland Games are an event that you won’t want to miss.

Details

Date:
May 11
Cost:
Free
Event Category:
Event Tags:
Website:
https://www.inverclyde.gov.uk/tourism-and-visitor-attractions/gourock-highland-games-2019

Venue

Battery Park Sports Pavilion, Gourock
Eldon Street
Gourock, PA16 7QG Great Britain + Google Map
View Venue Website
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