Now is the time to get the diaries out and start planning for summer 2023. Inverness and Oban are now open for registration/ entry.
It is a requirement that those pipers intending to compete at the major gatherings register as final eligibility will be decided at a joint meeting of the promoters and other bodies next month.
Here is the link for the Argyllshire Gathering. Here is the link for the Northern Meeting. The tunes required for these gatherings are available on the Piobaireachd Society website.
The listings below are courtesy the ‘Scotland Welcomes You’ website. We are listing only those which traditionally have pipe band or solo piping contests. Many of the events are still to be confirmed (TBC) can be checked for updates by clicking the link to the individual websites.
The last games of the summer, Pitlochry, are planning to run a piobaireachd event next September – for the first time in almost a century. More information on this to follow.
The picture above is of Allan Russell competing at Drumtochty Games last summer.
May:
Gourock Highland Games, TBC, Battery Park, Greenock
Gordon Castle Highland Games, 21st May 2023, Gordon Castle Estate
Atholl Gathering and Highland Games, 28th May 2023
June:
Helensburgh & Lomond Highland Games, TBC
Strathmore Highland Games, TBC
Cupar Highland Games, TBC
Drumtochty Highland Games, 24th June 2023, Drumtochty Glen
Aberdeen Highland Games, TBC, Hazelhead Park
Ceres Highland Games, 24th June 2023
July:
Luss Highland Games, TBC
Forres Highland Games, TBC, Grant Park, Forres
Kenmore Highland Games, TBC, Kenmore Pavillion & Sports Field
Inverness Highland Games, 15th July 2023, Bught Park
Tomintoul Highland Games, 15th July 2023
Rosneath Peninsula Highland Games, TBC
Stonehaven Highland Games, TBC
Inveraray Highland Games, 18th July 2023, in the grounds of Inveraray Castle
Balquhidder, Lochearnhead & Strathyre Highland Games, 22nd July 2023
Arisaig Highland Games, TBC, Traigh Farm, Arisaig
Durness Highland Gathering, TBC
Halkirk Highland Games, 29th July 2023, Caithness
St Andrews Highland Games, 30th July 2023, Station Park
August
Bridge of Allan Highland Games, 6th August 2023
Isle of Skye Highland Games, 8/9th August 2023, Portree
Aboyne Highland Games, TBC, The Green, Aboyne
North Berwick International Highland Games, TBC
Ballater Highland Games, 10th August 2023, Monaltrie Park
Assynt Highland Games, TBC, Culag Park, Lochinver
Atholl & Breadalbane Highland Games, TBC, Aberfeldy
Bute Highland Games, 12th August 2023, The Stadium, High Street, Rothesay
Abernethy Highland Games, 12th August 2023
Perth Highland Games , TBC, within the grounds of Scone Palace
Glenisla Highland Games, 18th August 2023, The Haugh, Forter, Angus
Helmsdale Highland Games, 20th August 2022, Couper Park, Helmsdale
Crieff Highland Gathering, 20th August 2023, Market Park
Argyllshire Gathering, Oban, 23rd/24th August 2023
Cowal Highland Gathering, 24th – 27th August 2023, Dunoon
Glenurquhart Highland Games, TBC, Blairbeg Park, Drumnadrochit
Strathardle Highland Gathering 26th August 2023, Bannerfield, Kirkmichael
Lonach Highland Games, 27th August 2022, Bellabeg, Strathdon
Northern Meeting, Inverness, Aug 31/ Sept 1
September:
Braemar Gathering, 2nd September 2023, Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park
Blairgowrie Highland Games, TBC
Pitlochry Highland Games, 9th September 2023, Recreation Ground
Hi Rab
Excellent article on the depth of opportunities to listen to Piping on the circuit this year.I would add that the Mull games on the 20th July at Erray Park Tobermory and the Taynuilt Games at the shinty pitch at Taynuilt on the 22nd July both have solo Piping competitions including Piobaireachd. Both are cracking events with juvenile and senior competitions in extremely atmospheric settings the former looking over the sound of Mull to lochaline and the latter under the shadow of Ben Cruachan.Both games attract pretty good Pipers as well.