Blairgowrie (Highland Games)

Angus Hotel

We booked a room a the Angus Hotel in Blairgowrie for one night so we could go to the Highlander Games. There was as free shuttle from downtown to the games that made this easy.

The Blairgowrie and Rattray Highland games have been going on for over 135 years. There are many competitions for locals to compete in as well as some open events for anyone to try.

We watched many events like, Scots Hammer Throw, Weights for Distance, Tossing the Caber, Weight over bar and Team Tug-O-War.

I tried my hand at the Ardblair Stone Challenge. I had to load nine stones weighing between 40-355 lbs sequentially onto a whisky barrel (52 inches high). This is done for time. The world record is 21.28 seconds by Tom Stolman. I was able to load the first four stones. Once I got to the 5th stone (weighing 165 lbs) I stopped as I did not want to hurt myself and ruin the rest of my vacation.

There were bagpipes and dancers competing as well. The dance stage had a continuous performance of kids doing traditional Scottish dance. The bagpipe band came through ceremoniously a few times and there was a solo piping competition as well. There was the sounds of bagpipes all day!

There were food vendors and a beer tent to add to the festivities. Many of the people here came and camped out as well.