Stirling Highland Games
The Stirling Highland Games is an annual cultural event offering a traditional Highland games experience, held at Stirling Sports Village, in the city of Stirling, Scotland, on the 3rd weekend (Saturday) in August.
Stirling Highland Games is an accredited Member games of the Royal Scottish Highland Games Association [RSHGA] . The RSHGA is the governing body of Traditional Highland Games in Scotland.
The current event plays host to a number of highland games competitions; a food and drinks experience and some creative arts, which can attract up to 8000 visitors.
Stirling Highland Games Memories
History
Recent findings have recorded that a race was held in Stirling in 1805. Highland Games researcher, Alasdair Macdonald, also uncovered that Stirling Chapmen ran the first highland games event in 1818 which included ‘Tilting at the Ring’, ‘Foot Races’ and ‘Horse Races’.
Records indicate from 1985, when the event was run by Stirling District Tourism, that spectator numbers grew to 6,500 but declined dramatically to under 1,000 by 2011 due to lack of support.
In 2013 Stirling District Tourism passed ownership to Matt McGrandles, a local social entrepreneur who has reinvigorated the event to include a number of new attractions, encouraging visitors from all over the world.
Present times
In 2021, Maddiston strongman to compete in gruelling Stirling Highland Games challenge
In 2021, Stirling Highland Games set for online showcase with virtual event
In 2021, Stirling Highland Games is cancelled again due to covid pandemic
In 2020, Stirling Highland Games set to go digital after coronavirus cancellation
In 2020, Stirling Highland Games are axed because of coronavirus
In 2019, Bruce Crawford at the Stirling Highland Games
In 2019, Tourism was top of the agenda with Stirling MSP Bruce Crawford
In 2018, Stirling Highland Games attracted more than 5,000 visitors, with many coming from overseas countries, including Canada, the United States, Germany and France.
In 2016, Stirling Highland Games trialled a virtual event
In 2014, Stirling Highland Games event returned after a 2 year abscence. [1]
Stirling Highland Games Chieftains Past and Present
2019 Games Chieftain – Kieron Achara, GB Olympian and Scottish Internationalist Basketball Player
2018 Games Chieftain – Simone Lahbib, Actress
2017 Games Chieftain – Kari Carswell, Scottish Internationalist Cricket Captain
2016 Games Chieftain – Lesley Paterson, Scottish Triathlete Champion
2015 Games Chieftain – Michael Goodfellow, GB Olympian Curler
2014 Games Chieftain – Ally Hogg, Scottish Rugby Union Internationalists
The new Stirling Highland Games committee will select Games Chieftains for this Honorary role from its famous born sons and daughters of Stirling.
2011 Games Chieftan – Bruce Crawford, Stirling MSP
2010 Games Chieftain – Fergus Wood, Stirling Council Provost
2008 Games Chieftain – Andrew Cameron
2007 Games Chieftain – Ian Bowie
2006 Games Chieftain – Basil L Stewart
2005 Games Chieftain – Colin O’Brien, Stirling Council Provost
2004 Games Chieftain – Alan Rennie, Stirling Observer Editor
2003 Games Chieftain – Anne McGuire, Stirling MSP
2002 Games Chieftain – James McLaren, Scottish Rugby Union & Scottish Rugby League Internationalist
2001 Games Chieftain – John A Doglione
2000 Games Chieftain – Donald E Hay
1999 Games Chieftain – Peter McKenzie
1998 Games Chieftain – John Paterson, Stirling Council Provost
1997 Games Chieftain – Nigel Trantor
1996 Games Chieftain – Frank W Sanders
1995 Games Chieftain – John Rodgers
1994 Games Chieftain – Pat Greenhill, Stirling Council Provost
1993 Games Chieftain – J Stirling
1992 Games Chieftain – Manuel Koutsourais
1991 Games Chieftain – James Fraser
1990 Games Chieftain – Jack Smith
1989 Games Chieftain – Michael Connarty
1988 Games Chieftain – John Hendry
1987 Games Chieftain – Rennie McOwan
1986 Games Chieftain – Ian Wyles
1985 Games Chieftain – James N S McEwan
1922 Games Chieftain – Major Murray of Polmaise
1872 Games Chieftain – Col McPherson
1871 Games Chieftain – Col McPherson
1870 Games Chieftain – James Graham 4th Duke of Montrose
