Visiting The Gathering
7th September 2024
Welcome to the historic village of Braemar
The home of the Gathering is a picturesque village in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park — a stunning, mountainous region of Scotland that attracts over 2 million people every year, from near and far.
Whether you’re a regular visitor or a first-time attendee, the below information offers a quick and easy guide to travelling to Braemar and what facilities we have on site at the Gathering — including car parking, accessibility information and toilets.
BY CAR
Braemar is located approximately 60 miles west of Aberdeen, on the A93 route through scenic Royal Deeside.
Allow plenty of journey time. As there is only one main road (A93) leading to and from Braemar and the Braemar Gathering is one of the busiest days of the year, traffic delays are likely. Please be patient and follow instructions from police and event/parking stewards.
From the South: Join the A93 Deeside Tourist Route at Perth and drive north into the Cairngorms National Park, via Blairgowrie and Rattray and Glenshee.
From the North: Inverness is approximately 78 miles by car from Braemar. When driving south, Braemar can be reached via the A939 over the Lecht and through Gairnshiel before meeting the A93 at Crathie (9 miles east of Braemar).
From the East: Join the A93 (from Aberdeen) and follow the route through Royal Deeside, passing through Banchory, Aboyne and Ballater on your way to Braemar.
CAR PARKING
No on-street parking is permitted in the village of Braemar, however the organisers of the Gathering provide parking for visitors and competitors alike. This car park is free and does not require prior booking. There are no time restrictions and you can be confident that there is enough room for everyone.
As you arrive in the Braemar area on the day, please follow the directional signage, instructions and advice given to you by police and stewards. The car parking for the Braemar Gathering is on a grass surface. Please only park in the designated event car parks — do not park on grass verges.
Once you have parked your vehicle, signs will direct you towards the Gathering, which is approximately 10 minutes walk from the car park. Participants and spectators are free to come and go from the event whenever they wish — please retain your ticket to ensure re-entry.
Delays may be experienced when exiting from the car parks, and the organisers kindly ask that visitors remain patient and courteous with our car parking attendants, who will be working diligently to clear the car parks as quickly and safely as possible.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
A public bus (Stagecoach route 201) operates between Aberdeen and Braemar. There are no public bus services from Perth or the south.
EVENT INFORMATION & FACILITIES
TOILETS
Toilets are available within the Braemar Gathering grounds. These include disabled/accessible toilets and baby-changing facilities. Temporary toilets are also located at the event car parks and Aberdeenshire Council operate public toilet facilities on Balnellan Road, in the centre of Braemar village.
MEDICAL SUPPORT
An event doctor, Scottish Ambulance Service paramedics and first aiders from the St Andrews Ambulance Association will be available at the First Aid Post adjacent to the Highland Games Pavilion. First aiders are also on patrol throughout the grounds, and are contactable via the first aid tent or Secretary’s Tent.
OFFICIALS & ATTENDANTS
Event Officials and Attendants will be on duty throughout the grounds and Braemar village. They will display a lapel badge identifying their role and will have access to a fluorescent armband or jacket. If you have the opportunity, please thank them individually for their efforts. They are all volunteers and the organisers would like to record our enduring thanks for their vital role in making each Gathering day run smoothly.
BAGGAGE & LOST PROPERTY
Please ensure you keep your property with you at all times. The organisers accept no responsibility for any lost or damaged items. Upon entering the grounds, visitors may be subject to a security search. Enquiries regarding lost property will be handled at the Secretary’s Tent.
SCOTTISH WEATHER
Please ensure you are properly hydrated and come prepared for the extremes of weather we can often experience in Scotland. It may be very warm and sunny, and in that case we strongly advise use of protective sun cream and clothing.
Conversely, early September can also be cold and wet, in which case we strongly advise wearing warm clothing with a waterproof outer layer.
GROUNDS & CAR PARK
FAQs
As you can imagine, accommodation is highly sought-after on Braemar Gathering weekend. That doesn't mean it's impossible to find, but we recommend booking as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
A few good places to explore accommodation information include VisitScotland, Braemar Scotland and Braemar Caravan Park.
With the exception of Guide Dogs and Assistance Dogs, dogs are not permitted within the Games Park. This includes keeping dogs in vehicles which are making use of the event parking facilities.
The Gathering begins at 9am and is scheduled with an intended finish time of around 5pm.
The Massed Bands parade starts at 11.30am at the Invercauld Arms Hotel and parades through the village to The Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park where the Braemar Gathering is held.
They parade again at 3pm from Auchendryne Square. The various Pipe Bands will also parade individually through the village throughout the day.
There will be a number of local food suppliers on site throughout the day — serving hot food and refreshments — as well as a beer tent (proof of age may be required). There are also a selection of local cafes, tea rooms and restaurants to choose from in Braemar. Where possible, making reservations in advance is highly recommended.
There are assisted parking facilities in the car park and no-step access to the games park is available. There are designated areas for wheelchair users in the A, C, D and E ringside seating sections. Please include a note with your ticket order if you wish to utilise these wheelchair areas or have any other specific access requirements.
If you wish to speak to someone about accessibility at the Braemar Gathering prior to booking your tickets, please contact us.
Information on the various competitions taking place and the event order will be released closer to the day.
In the event that the Braemar Gathering is cancelled, tickets purchased will automatically roll over and be valid for the following year's Gathering.
Refunds may be issued on application and at the discretion of the Braemar Royal Highland Charity (BRHC) Board. Any refunds processed will be subject to an administration fee set by the BRHC board due to the costs involved with carrying out a refund transaction.
Any concerns you have prior to purchasing a ticket should be made by contacting the Secretary of the Gathering.
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