Junior
Highland Games

Braemar Junior Highland Games is the wee brother of the world-famous Braemar Gathering and takes place on Saturday 6th June 2026. The action kicks of with a pipe band march past at 10.50am and the event closes at 4.30pm.

Entry to the Junior Games is by donation.

All competitions are held under the Society's regulations. There is no pre-entry requirement or entry fees for any of the events – registration takes place on the day.

The Games will take place on Saturday 6th June 2026 in the Duke of Fife and Princess Royal Memorial Park, Braemar. The event starts with the march of pipe bands through the village at 10.50 am and will finish at 4.30pm.

We are delighted to welcome the Ballater and District Pipe Band and also the Huntly and District Pipe Band.

Background

Braemar Junior Highland Games is the wee brother of the world-famous Braemar Gathering. The Junior Games was introduced in 2005 to provide a funday out for families, to give young people the chance to try out traditional highland games events and to provide the opportunity for young pipers, drummers and dancers and athletes to show off their skills. The Junior Games now has a hill race which forms part of Scottish Athletics Junior Hill Race calendar.

Events

There are a number of running and fun races for different age groups including toddlers.

There is also a long jump competition.

Primary and secondary pupils will be able to try some of the traditional ‘heavy events’ such as tossing the caber and putting the stone. Instruction is provided by an experienced professional.

The provisional timetable for the day, which also constitutes a list of events, can be found here and will be confirmed two weeks before the Games.

The final event of the day is our popular tug-o-war which sees keen competition between groups, some of which we get together on the day and which may include two adults.

There is no pre-entry requirement or entry fees for any of the events – registration takes place on the day.

Spectators

Are encouraged to be in the arena and up close to the action. Entry to the event is by donation.

There is ample car parking adjacent to the arena which will be clearly sign posted. Travel details are detailed in the main

Market and Catering

There will be a Gillies Market in the driveway into the park and a number of catering outlets.

Fundraising Dinner

To be confirmed in due course.

Programme & Events

Note – all timings are approximate.

The final Programme will be posted 2 weeks before the Games.

Provisional:

10.00 Track races registration opens

10.50 March into arena - Pipe Bands and Scouts

11.15 Toddler Running Race

11.20 220 yards sprint for secondary pupils

11.30 HEAVY EVENTS FOR SECONDARY PUPILS

11.30 Flat Races for primary pupils

11.30 PIPING COMPETITIONS COMMENCE

11.30 DANCING - Come and Have a Try for young dancers

11.45 Cub and Scouts Relay races heats and final

12.00 Toddler Hoop Race

12.00 DANCING COMPETITIONS COMMENCE

12.00 Hill Race Registration opens

12.15 100 years sprint for secondary pupils

12.30 Long Jump for secondary pupils

12.45 Hoop and Bean Bag Races for primary pupils

12.45 Alford School Pipe Band

13.00 HEAVY EVENTS FOR PRIMARY PUPILS

13.00 Inter-Primary school relay races

13.15 Sack Race secondary pupils

13.45 Medal Ceremony 1

13.45 Ballater and District Pipe Band

13.45 Sack Race for primary pupils

14.00 HILL RACE 5K - U18, U16, U14

14.00 Tug-o-war Registration opens

14.45 Huntly and District Pipe Band

14.45 Medal Ceremony 2

15.00 HILL RACE 2K - U12

15.30 Medal Ceremony 3

15.40 Tug-o-war competitions, Scout Inter-Group Tug-o-war

16.20 Medal Ceremony 4

16.30 Bands March Away

Final confirmation of dances will be two weeks before the Games.

The dancing competitions take place from 12.00pm. Please register at the dancing boards from 11.00am on the day.

Piper: Lynne Ramsay (Dufftown)

Under 7

16 Pas de Basque

6 Pas de Basque & 4 highcuts (4 times)

Fling 4 step

Age 7-8

Fling 4 step

Swords 2 slow & 1 quick

Sean Truibhas 3 slow & 1 quick

Age 9-12

Fling 4 step

Swords 2 slow & 1 quick

Sean Truibhas 3 slow & quick

Half Tulloch

Age 13-16

Fling 4 step

Swords 2 slow 1 quick

Sean Truibhas 3 slow & 1 quick

Half Tulloch

Hornpipe 4 step

All dancing competitors should be in appropriate Highland dress and dancing pumps.

There will be 6 placings in each dance and section.

A trophy will be presented for each age group to the best overall dancer.

The piping competition starts at 11.30am. There are opportunities to play in the chanter class, strathspey, march and piobaireach. Pipers up to the age of 19, at all stages are welcome.

The drumming competitions for side, tenor and bass drums.

Registration is on the day.

Judges - Piping: Neil Selbie (Culter) Drumming: Andrew Braidwood

Trophies Piping and Drumming
Chanter Meldrum Memorial Chanter Shield
March Chanter on Wood
Strathspey Elizabeth Hunter Memorial Quaich
Piobaireach David Geddes Trophy
Side/Solo Danny Bennet Memorial Shield
Tennor Russell Memorial Shield
Bass Alister MacAlister Memorial Shield

The tug-o-war is a fun family event. We are looking for teams of eight (generally 2 adults and children under 14). If you have a ‘ready-made team’ then come and register at the tug-o-war desk from 2.30pm.

If you don’t have a team but would like to take part – come and tell us and we will do our best to make up teams.

Referees: Jeff Gaskin, Derek Mutch

Trophies

Tug-o-war Shield
Grampian Police Tug-o-war Shield

Here is an opportunity to try out some of the classic highland games events with our expert tutors.

For secondary school pupils you can throw the hammer, putt the stone and toss the caber – join us in the arena from 11.15am.

For primary school children – putt the stone and toss the caber – in the arena from 12.45pm.

Trophies

Under 13 Boy Under 13 Heavies Trophy
Under 13 Girl Susan Anderson Trophy
13-15 Boy Trophies International Cup
13-15 Girl Barbara Anderson Trophy
16-17 Boy Under 18 Heavies Trophy
16-17 Girl Committee Cup

The Under 18 hill race is over 5Km, 110m elevation and requires proper running shoes.

Hill Race Winners Trophies

Junior Girls Champion (Under 12) - Mike Grant Memorial Cup
Junior Boys Champion (Under 12) - Mike Grant Memorial Cup
Local Boys (Under 12) - Mike Grant Memorial Cup
Local Girls (Under 12) - Tillycroy Services Cup
Senior Girls Champion (Under 18) - Morag Armour Cup
Senior Boys Champion (Under 18) - Indicator Challenge Cup
Local Boys (Under 18) - Indicator Challenge Cup
Local Girls (Under 18)

Hill Race – Age definitions

In order to comply with the Scottish Athletics Association age bands the age of the competitor at 31st December 2026 defines which age group they should run in. For example, if you are 11 on race day but turn 12 by 31st December you should be in the U14 group.

There are four age bands: Under 12, Under 14, Under 16 and Under 18.

For all ‘local’ trophies – definition is living in AB35 postcode.

Races – Overall Winner Trophies

Results are aggregated over the track events to identify winners