At Blairgowrie and Rattray Highland Games we know that many of you are missing the Games as much as we are. So we decided to hold a socially-distanced mini gathering to provide a taster of the event following its cancellation due to the global coronavirus pandemic. Young dancers and heavyweight competitors gathered in the grounds of Ardblair Castle on the outskirts of Blairgowrie to showcase the traditional components of the games. We also held scaled-back versions of some of the other highlights of Games day including the opening parade, the always fiercely competitive community tug o’ war between Blairgowrie and Rattray, demonstrations of stone-lifting and International Highland Games Federation Stones of Strength events such as log pressing, and enjoyed some traditional tunes from Dundee-based piper Liam Eaton and Rattray’s Bob Stewart. And Blairgowrie and Rattray Highland Games chieftain Laurence Blair Oliphant of Ardblair and Gask was also on hand to declare the ‘games’ open.  Thanks to everyone who made this happen – the dancers, the heavyweights, the strongmen and women, the Blair Oliphant family, the Games committee, Liam Eaton and Bob Stewart – and we hope you enjoy this SHORT VIDEO highlighting the spirit of Blairgowrie and Rattray Highland Games.

HIGHLAND GAMES CANCELLATION STATEMENT                      11th May 2020

The team of volunteers behind Blairgowrie and Rattray Highland Games has taken the difficult but necessary decision to cancel this year’s event, which was due to be held on Sunday, September 6, due to the ongoing global coronavirus pandemic.

Chair of the organising committee, Ally Donald, said: “While we appreciate that this decision is disappointing for many, we feel it is the only right and responsible course of action we could take in the current circumstances.

“Public health and safety must come first and while September may still feel like a long way off, the outbreak of COVID-19 and the effects of that – whatever they may be - are going to be with us for the long-term.

“The committee has not taken this decision lightly. We all work hard throughout the year to put on a fantastic event for everyone involved – competitors, spectators and stall-holders – but when the welfare of our community is at stake we could not in good conscience make any other decision.

“We have been closely monitoring the situation as it has evolved over the last few months and following the Scottish Government’s advice and updates on restrictions imposed as part of efforts to tackle the pandemic.

“It is now clear that those restrictions, particularly those around social distancing, travel and large gatherings, will remain necessary for a long time to come and we hope that everyone who supports our event understands that this decision is the right one to make.

“All ticket holders will receive a full refund and stall-holders and competitors will be given the option to carry their bookings over to 2021 .”

The 2021 Blairgowrie and Rattray Highland Games will take place on Sunday, September 5.
Ally said: “These are difficult and worrying times for everyone."

“We hope that everyone stays safe and well and continues to look out for each other over the coming weeks and months, and that we can welcome folk back to a wonderful gathering in Blairgowrie and Rattray next year.”

PETE HART VIDEOS

Volunteers from Blairgowrie and Rattray Highland Games have produced a series of short videos online to try to encourage young people in particular to find out more about the heavyweight events at the traditional event.
The move comes after the local games, which were due to take place in September, was one of hundreds of events across the country which had to be cancelled due to restrictions imposed as part of efforts to tackle the global coronavirus pandemic.
In the short films, convener of the heavyweight events at Blairgowrie and Rattray Highland Games, Pete Hart, takes viewers through each of the events, with demonstrations from young competitors who are currently being coached in the age-old tests of strength.  
The videos were filmed in Glenisla where Pete lives and trains the young athletes throughout the year in preparation of a full summer of games. 
Pete explained: “The Blairgowrie and Rattray Highland Games committee had to take the difficult but necessary decision to cancel this year’s event due to the outbreak of Covid-19, which although we believe it was the only right and responsible course of action we could take in the current circumstances, we appreciate was disappointing for many people.
“We therefore wanted to do something to help in any way that we could and thought that Highland Games spectators might be interested in finding out more about the events, their history, the techniques involved and what the judges are looking for on the day.
“I have been coaching youngsters for a few years now as part of a wider initiative to help ensure the future of the next generation of heavyweight competitors and some of those young people featured in the videos.
“With the videos we hope we have shown some of the techniques involved so that when we can all get back in an arena for the next Games season, hopefully next year, our spectators will get even more out of the experience - and maybe some of them will even be inspired to have a go themselves!
“And in the meantime, hopefully these films will be a wee reminder of the wonderful cultural and heritage traditions of the Games.”
Chair of the Blairgowrie and Rattray Highland Games committee, Ally Donald, thanked Pete and the young competitors for their efforts.
He said: “These are difficult and worrying times for everyone and the decision to cancel our games was not taken lightly.
“I would like to thank Pete and the youngsters for giving up their time to make these short films, they provide a good insight into what is required to become a heavyweight competitor, and all of us on the committee hope that viewers find them informative and interesting.
“We all work hard throughout the year to put on a fantastic event for everyone involved and are looking forward to welcoming folk back to a wonderful gathering in Blairgowrie and Rattray next year.”
The 2021 Blairgowrie and Rattray Highland Games will take place on Sunday, September 5.

Caber coaching Video with Pete Hart

Hammer coaching

Shot coaching

Weight over the Bar coaching

Weight for Distance coaching

WELCOME ....

The annual Games, a blend of spectacle and fun, take place on the first Sunday after the first Saturday in September in beautiful Perthshire.

The games next year will be held on Sunday 5th September 2021 at Bogles Field, Essendy Road, Blairgowrie. PH10 6QU

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Whether you're a local visitor or a tourist from overseas, you'll find a very warm Highland welcome awaits you.