The Skye Highland Games Association particularly welcomes all visitors to Skye. The Games were inaugurated in 1877 by the Skye Gathering Committee, who also own the field and still support the Games. Except during the World Wars and more recently during the Covid pandemic they have taken place annually in this natural amphitheatre from which some of the stones used to build the Gathering Hall were quarried.

The Games consist of Heavy Field Events, Athletics, Piping and Highland Dancing.

These events, unique to the Scottish Highlands, are an illustration of a way of life as well as being sporting events and entertainment conducted in a traditional manner.

There is also a Sailing Regatta, which consists of a single race for all classes of yacht.

The Games are one of the highlights of the Skye calendar and are enjoyed by thousands of visitors each year as well as the local population who come from all corners of the island, and beyond, to witness or to participate in this authentic expression of Highland tradition and culture.

A day at the Skye Highland Games is guaranteed to live long in your memory.

Although the Skye Games in their present form were inaugurated in 1877, the tradition which they represent goes back hundreds of years before that, with clan celebrations that included fiercely contested feats of strength and endurance, together with piping and other forms of entertainment similar to those that can be enjoyed at the games today.

Piping forms an important part of the Games. Competitions are held in the Skye Gathering Hall and St Columba Parish Centre, with piping information available in the Royal Hotel, Portree. The Games attract Pipers from Scotland, Australia, New Zealand, France and the USA. Competitions for local pipers are held on the field where the Isle of Skye Pipe band plays at regular intervals. It is natural that piping should be important in Skye where the famous piping family of the MacCrimmons taught Piobaireachd at their college in Boreraig, Glendale.

Athletic events are open to professional athletes from all parts of the world. Separate local events are restricted to those from Skye, islands adjacent and part of the mainland.

Highland Games evolved locally from informal feats of strength, speed and stamina. Huge stones were used for lifting and throwing. These have generally been replaced by standard equipment, but the highlight is still Tossing the Caber. The object is to toss the tree over so that the bottom end finishes up in line 180° from the competitor.

WARNING:

THE FIELD AND TRACK MUST BE KEPT CLEAR AT ALL TIMES AND SPECTATORS MUST NOT SIT OR STAND ON ANY FENCES OR WALLS. THE COMMITTEE CANNOT ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY LOSS OR INJURY DURING THE GAMES.