What's On Around the Area and Further Afield

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Castles History and Heritage | Walks and Rambles | Gardens and Parks |
Things To Do | Places To Visit

We have endeavoured to give some information about a few of many annual events which take place on certain days throughout the year and particularly the summer months. To avoid disappointment just check before going with the TIC (Tourist Information Centre), to be sure of date, time and location.

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MAY

LOCAL EVENTS.

Last Saturday in May 2.30pm at Blair Castle
Annual Parade of the Atholl Highlanders, UK’s only private army and still in existence. They were granted the right, by Queen Victoria in 1845, to their own colours, and to carry arms. The Duke of Atholl, Officers, Soldiers and Pipe band of the Highlanders, Trooping the Colours of the regiment, in front of Blair Castle.

Last Saturday in May 1.15pm at Blair Castle
Annual Highland Games at Blair Castle. Start 1.15pm
Atholl Highlanders March Past + Traditional Highland Games events.

4th Saturday in May
The first monthly ceilidh of the season at Fearnan Hall. (Loch Tayside)
Scottish and Gaelic cast of Nationally renowned singers, instrumentalists and Highland Dancers.
The Fearnan Ceilidhs are quite literally known Nationally as the epitomy of all that is great and good in Scottish culture, music, highland dancing and virtuoso bagpipe playing.

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JUNE.

LOCAL EVENTS.

2nd Friday & Saturday in June.
In Aberfeldy the Perthshire & Angus Provincial Mod.
Wales has the Eistedfodd, Scotland has the Mod.
Two days of Gaelic songs, choirs, and instrumental competition. Adults & children.
Around 1,000 entries each year. Evening concert.
In and around Aberfeldy, Town Hall & School.

Tuesdays at 8pm. From 3rd Tuesday in June until September.
Weekly Ceilidhs in Weem Hotel.
Scots & Gaelic songs, country dance band, accordions, fiddles, highland dancers, pipers.

FURTHER AFIELD

Tuesdays at 8pm. From 3rd Tuesday in June until September.
Weekly Ceilidhs in Weem Hotel
Scots & Gaelic songs, dance band, accordions, fiddles, highland dancers, pipers.

2nd Saturday in June
Kilmore & Kilbride Highland Games
Balinoe, Oban, PA34 4RR.

2nd Sunday in June
Forfar Highland Games
Glamis Castle.

3rd Saturday in June.
Alyth Agricultural Show.
Hallyburton Estate, Kettins, Dundee Road, Coupar Angus,
PH13 9JT.

Newburgh Highland Games
Mugdrum Games Park, Newburgh, Fife, KY14 6JP.

3rd Thursday in June to the following Sunday
Scotland’s Premier Agricultural Show.
The Royal Highland Show.
Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, (beside Edinburgh Airport) Edinburgh, EH28 8NF.

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JULY

LOCAL EVENTS

Tuesdays at 8pm. From 3rd Tuesday in June until September.
Weekly Ceilidhs in Weem Hotel.
Scots & Gaelic songs, dance band, accordions, fiddles, highland dancers, pipers.

1st Wednesday evening in July
Kenmore Highland Games,
In The Games Park, Kenmore.
Traditional Highland Games with a very local flavour. Heavy events, dancing, solo piping, pipe band. (Start 6pm)

2nd Saturday in July.
The second monthly ceilidh of the season at Fearnan Hall. (Loch Tayside)
Scottish and Gaelic cast of Nationally renowned Singers, Instrumentalists and Highland Dancers.
The Fearnan Ceilidhs are quite literally known Nationally as the epitomy of all that is great and good in Scottish culture, music and dance.

Last Wednesday in July
Killin International Highland Games
Breadalbane Park, Main Street, Killin, FK21 8UT.

4th Saturday in July.
Balquhidder, Lochearnhead And Strathyre Highland Games
Games Park, Lochearnhead, FK19 8PT.

FURTHER AFIELD

1st Saturday in July
Glengarry Highland Games. (Loch Ness)
Invergarry Shinty and Sports Field, Invergarry, PH35 4HG.

2nd Saturday in July
City of Inverness Highland Games
Bught Park Stadium, Bught Park, Inverness, IV3 5SS.

2nd Saturday in July
Loch Lomond Highland Games
Balloch Castle & Country Park, Balloch, G83 8NB.

3rd Tuesday in July
Inveraray Highland Games (Loch Fyne)
Winterton Park, Castle Grounds, Inveraray, PA32 8XF.

3rd Wednesday in July
Luss Highland Games (Loch Lomond)
Games Field, by Alexandria, Luss, G83 8NZ.

3rd Wednesday in July
Loch Ness Highland Gathering
Fort Augustus, Fort Augustus, PH32 4DB.

Last Saturday in July
Callander World Highland Games
Ben Ledi Park, Mollands Road, Callander, FK17 8JJ.

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AUGUST

LOCAL EVENTS

Tuesdays at 8pm. From June until September.
Weekly Ceilidhs in Weem Hotel.
Scots & Gaelic songs, dance band, accordions, fiddles, highland dancers, pipers.

1st Friday & Saturday in August
Perthshire Agricultural Show
In Perth. The County Show. All things Agricultural, with all breeds of animals, the best of Aberdeen Angus Cattle, implements. Friday all varieties, shapes and sizes of horses.

2nd Friday & Saturday in August.
Aberfeldy Show & Highland Games. (Atholl & Breadalbane Agricultural Show).
Something here for everyone. Childrens ponies on Friday.
Saturday morning heralds the Agricultural Show. Prizewinners here are much sought after by those who look for the best to take on to the Christmas show at Smithfield. The 2002 Aberfeldy Champion was also the Smithfield Champ. Clearly the Aberfeldy cattle on show here, are without any exaggeration, nothing less than the best in the world, and have been famous as such for generations.
The show of the Highland Ponies is also without doubt one of the best anywhere.
Saturday Afternoon developes into the traditional Atholl & Breadalbane Highland Games. Heavyweights throwing cabers, hammers and weights. Highland Dancers, solo piping competitions, pipe band entertainment, hill race.
Not to be missed are the terrier races, and the grand finale where the strongest men take on everyone in a bid to lift and carry the ‘Menzies Stone - A 2cwt completely spherical stone which tests the very best. A local Young Farmer from Alyth has won this event, beating the professional heavy weight athletes many of whom you may have seen in the World’s Strongest Man series.

Menzies Clan Society Gathering
Takes place over the weekend of the Aberfeldy Show & Highland Games at Castle Menzies and at the games park in Aberfeldy.

2nd Sunday of August.
Perth Highland Games
South Inch, Perth, PH2 8BU.

3rd Saturday in August.
Rannoch Highland Gathering
In Kinloch Rannoch starts around 1pm.
One of the very last typical unspoilt local highland Games. Lovely setting at the East end of Loch Rannoch. All the usual attractions. Heavyweight athletes, Children’s races, spectacular hill race, solo piping, highland dancing, etc.

3rd Saturday in August.
Killin Agricultural Show
In the McLaren Park, Killin.
All the usual hustle and bustle of an Agricultural Event.

3rd Saturday in August.
The third monthly ceilidh of the season at Fearnan Hall. (Loch Tayside)
Scottish and Gaelic cast of Nationally renowned singers, instrumentalists and Highland Dancers.
Those who are asked to perform at this venue, know they are recognised as an artiste!
The Fearnan Ceilidhs are quite literally known Nationally as the epitomy of all that is great and good in Scottish & Celtic culture, music and dance.

3rd Sunday in August.
Crieff Highland Gathering
Well presented and old established Highland Games in Crieff games park.

Bank Holiday Weekend (21st, 22nd, 23rd & 24th in 2003)
Bowmore Blair Castle Country Fair & Horse Trials.
Scotland’s Premier and Largest Country Fair & Horse Trials.
Don’t imagine for a moment that this is a solely horsey affair. You don’t need green Welly Boots to come!
This event is mega, lasts for 4 days, and has something for everyone, tented village with superb trade stands from all over the UK , stalls and refreshments. Lots to see and do for Kids and Adults alike.

4th Saturday in August.
Birnam Highland Games.
One of Scotland’s very oldest traditional established Highland Games. All the usual fare.

FURTHER AFIELD

Scotland is awash with Highland Games in August.
Below are some within driving distance –you could attend one almost every day in this month!
Check those dates below as they may vary year to year.

1st Saturday in August
Aboyne Highland Games
The Green, Aboyne, AB34 4XQ.

1st Saturday in August
Newtownmore Highland Games
The Eilan, Newtonmore, PH20 1AR.

1st Sunday in August
Bridge Of Allan Highland Games
Strathallan Games Park, Airthrey Avenue, Bridge of Allan.

1st Wednesday in August
Loch Ness Highland Gathering
Fort Augustus, Fort Augustus, PH32 4DB.

1st Thursday in August
Ballater Highland Games
Monaltrie Park, Ballater, AB35 5NX.

2nd Saturday in August
Clan Grant Gathering
Games Field, Nethy Bridge, PH25 3DA.

2nd Saturday in August
Abernethy Highland Games
Games Field, Nethy Bridge, PH25 3DA.

3rd Saturday in August
Nairn Highland Games
The Links, Marine Road, Nairn, IV12 4EA.

3rd Saturday in August
Glenfinnan Highland Gathering
Monument Field, Glenfinnan, PH37 4LT.

4th Friday in August
Glenisla Highland Games
Haugh Field, Glenisla, PH11 8PJ.

4th Saturday in August.
Strathardle Highland Games
Bannerfield, Kirkmichael, Blairgowrie, PH10 7NS.

4th Saturday in August.
Lonach Gathering
Bellabeg Park, Strathdon, Aberdeenshire, AB36 8UG.
This is the famous gathering where the Lonach Highlanders, start early morning with the 5 mile march to the park. Fortified along the way by ‘drams’ at specific traditional stopping places.

4th Saturday in August.
Glenurquhart Highland Gathering and Games
Blairbeg Park, Drumnadrochit, Loch Ness. IV63 6UW.

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SEPTEMBER

LOCAL

2nd Saturday in September.
The last monthly ceilidh of the season at Fearnan Hall. (Loch Tayside)
Scottish and Gaelic cast of Nationally renowned singers, instrumentalists and Highland Dancers.
The Fearnan Ceilidhs are quite literally known Nationally as the epitomy of all that is great and good in Scottish culture, music and dance.

Tuesdays at 8pm. From June until September.
Ending early this month the weekly Ceilidhs in Moness Function Suite, Aberfeldy.
Scots & Gaelic songs, dance band, accordions, fiddles, highland dancers, pipers.

14th Farming of Yesteryear 2003
Takes place at Scone Palace.
Scotland’s largest vintage farming event should as always be a major success.

2nd Saturday in September
Pitlochry Highland Gathering.
Large & Extensive extremely well organised Highland Games in the recreation park.

FURTHER AFIELD

1st Saturday in September
The Braemar Gathering.
The world famous Braemar Gathering. Always attended by royalty
Princess Royal & Duke of Fife Memorial Park, Broombank Terrace, Braemar, AB35 5YX.

1st Sunday in September
Blairgowrie Highland Games
All the athletes on their way home from Braemar stop off for this event.
Bogles Field, Essendy Road, Blairgowrie, PH10 6QU.

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OCTOBER

The time of year for a relaxation holiday. Peace & scenery, cosy evenings at an open fire.
This is the month when Highland Perthshire really is at its most stunning. The autumn colours are often at their very best.
View the colours varying from the dark greens of some foliage, through the lighter greens, to brown, orange and bright reds of the rowans.
Weem Rock - above and behind Castle Menzies and Garden House can look spectacular.
Other spots to visit are special favourites of ours, - Glenlyon, Loch Rannoch & Loch Tummel.

Last Saturday in October.
The All Scottish Accordion Championships. Perth City Halls with Grand Concert in the evening.

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NOVEMBER

1st 11am till 7pm. At Blair Castle the Glenfiddich World Championship Solo Piping.

2nd 11am. At Blair Castle the Glenfiddich Championship Solo Fiddle Championship.

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DECEMBER

Our busiest time of year are, of course, the Christmas and New Year Holiday weeks. New Year especially is an extremely popular time for visitors to come to Highland Perthshire.

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Castle Menzies Holiday Cottages Mrs. M. McDiarmid Castle Menzies Farm Aberfeldy, Perthshire PH15 2LY Tel. 01887 820260