With two days left until Inverness Highland Games on Saturday 11 July, preparations are nearly complete and organisers are advising people to buy their tickets now before the ceilidh sells out.
Provost of Inverness and Area, Councillor Glynis Campbell Sinclair said: “It’s not too late to get your tickets booked for the main Games and Evening Ceilidh, however the hospitality suite is now sold out.
“New for 2026 we have an exciting Children’s Programme partnered with The Gathering Festival with woolly workshops, ceilidh tots, mini highland games, circus skills, puppet fund and a come and try music session for kids. Also for families from 11am to 5pm there will be free fruit for kids, colouring and crafts, a chill out zone and a baby sling library.
“There really is something for everyone in a fantastic day out with the Clan Tent and The Largest Gathering of Clans in Scotland; Pipe Band parades and the Local Market showcasing creative makers and traders from across the Highlands. To keep your strength up the Taste of the Highlands food and drink village will cater to all palates with artisan producers serving quality street food and locally crafted drinks.”
The Highland Games start at 10.30am and run through an event-filled day till 6pm followed in the evening with a Highland Ceilidh from 7pm till 10:30pm.
Provost Campbell Sinclair added: “Games Day is shaping up to be a fantastic celebration for both residents and visitors. We’re thrilled to showcase the very best that the Highlands has to offer and will be delighted to welcome Bruce MacGregor and the Stoltman Brothers to this key Inverness Common Good Fund event.”
Included in the Games programme will be all the colour, sound and spectacle of:
• The Heavies – caber tossing, hammer throw, weight for distance and weight over the bar.
• Highland Dancing – Highland Fling, Sword Dance, Seann Triubhas, Hornpipe and Irish Jig.
• Piping Competitions – Piobaireachd, March, Strathspey and Reel.
• Track and Field Events – sprint and middle-distance races and long/high jump and shot putt.
To secure your tickets for the Games and Ceilidh go online at invernesshighlandgames.com
No visit to the Highlands is truly complete without joining a lively Highland Ceilidh where traditional music fills the air and people can have a dance and enjoy themselves. To the un-initiated don’t be shy as other dancers - along with the music of Bruce MacGregor and Friends - will guide you through the steps You’ll learn some of the great ceilidh dances – the Gay Gordons, Strip the Willow and the Eightsome reel. Ceilidhs are some of the best sessions you can have in Scotland.
A free shuttle bus service to the Games will run between The Highland Council Headquarters on Glenurquhart Road and Bught Park from 10am – 6:00pm. Dedicated disabled parking is available at the event and is allocated on a first come, first served basis.
For more information on Inverness Highland Games visit invernesshighlandgames.com and Facebook and Instagram @InvernessHighlandGames.