Royal Deeside :
Ballater Highland Games

The Ballater Highland Games is a wonderfully colourful and enjoyable day of sport, music and dancing held amongst beautiful hills on the edge of the village. The games are always held on the

Second Thursday in August

In 2010 the date will be 12th August. This is a traditional Scottish event not to be missed.

Just 8 miles from Balmoral Castle, Ballater offers an outstanding range of good accommodation and restaurants. Moreover, Victoria Week takes place during the same week so there is every reason to prolong your visit and enjoy the excellent hospitality .

On these pages we give some background on Ballater Highland Games based on information provided by Eddie Anderson.

The hill runners stand by while the 'starting gun ' is prepared

Ballater Highland Games commences about 12.30pm and ends around 5.00pm. It is followed in the evening by a Concert and Dance in the Victoria and Albert Halls, Ballater. The Games cover four distinct activities - dancing, piping, track events and field events. The 'heavy' events are the centrepiece of Highland Games but local dancing and piping are of a high standard and Ballater is fortunate in having a fine Pipe Band. The track races feature the gruelling hill -run. In 2003 there were 73 events on the programme. Competitions are open to all-comers and competitors may register as late as 30 minutes before the start of the event.

A young piper receives last minute advice

The Ballater Highland Games is run by

Ballater Highland Games Ltd
PO Box 2
Ballater
Aberdeenshire, Scotland
AB35 5RZ

to whom correspondence should be addressed. The Games has its own website and the committee may also be contacted by e-mail. The official website for the Games is

Those wishing accommodation in the Ballater area can find more details in the Accommodation and Food section of this website.