Highland Games originated among the Scots’ Celtic ancestors and became a customary part of their life. Events such as tossing the caber and putting the stone, and competitions in playing bagpipes and Highland dancing form the core of the festivities.
Pipes, Drums & Bands
The most common form of pipe band, the Scottish pipe band, consists of a section of pipers, a section of side drummers known as a drum corps, several tenor drummers and a single bass drummer. Watch some of pipe & drum bands compete, along with solo pipers. Administered by the British Columbia Pipers’ Association.
Heavy Events
Heavy Events are among the oldest contested sports in the world encompassing a series of nine feats of strength events. Many of the events are derived from the Scottish military weapons of war, while others came directly from every day life. Events include Stone Putt, Weights for Distance Throws, Hammer, Weight for Height/Weight over Bar, Sheaf Toss and Caber Toss.
Highland Dance
Highland dance is a style of competitive solo dancing developed in the Scottish Highlands in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. It is often performed to the accompaniment of Highland bagpipe music and is now seen at nearly every modern-day Highland games event.
Pìobaireachd
The highest level of piping competition, the Pìobaireachd competition takes place the night before the BC Highland Games officially opens. Some of the best pro players from the Pacific Northwest are competing in this classical form of highland bagpipe "big" music.
