Welcome from the

Ardrossan Highland Games Committee

Failte !

A warm welcome to this years very special Ardrossan Highland Games Celebrating it’s 30^th Anniversary.
As the current Ardrossan Highland Games Committee it is our pleasure to be involved in organising this successful and prestigious annual social event in the Highland Games Calendar.
We could not achieve any of this success without the ongoing help and support given in so many different ways from local companies, business and individuals towards all the ongoing running costs incurred in staging this very popular community social event which is appreciated by us all The Ardrossan Highland Games are eagerly awaited on by young and old alike from spectators to participants from near and far.
We are also very grateful to the “army” of volunteers who work quietly away behind the scenes prior to and on the day of the Ardrossan Highland Games ensuring a smooth running and safe event for the general public.
Our thanks also to the Ardrossan Rugby Club Committee for once again allowing us the use their Memorial Playing Field – to all our competitors from near and far, judges, participants, stallholders and arena attractions and last but not least to YOU, family and friends for coming along to support your local Ardrossan Highland Games ~ let’s hope the weather will be kind to us and that you are reading this basking in brilliant sunshine !!

The Ardrossan Highland Committee

Ardrossan Highland Games 30th Anniversary Tune Competition

The winner, Mr John Gerard McClumpha of Saltcoats, is playing the tune on the video below.

Dusty is a local folk singer and was Chieftain of Ardrossan Highland Games in 2004. Check out his new CD - all funds from which will go to charity.

Situated on the West Coast of Scotland, around 30 miles south west of Glasgow, Ardrossan has hosted a highland games since 1979.

The games have always been held on the Second Sunday in June and are now located on the field of Ardrossan Academicals Rugby Football Club located on the border of the town with Saltcoats.

The first Ardrossan Highland Games took place in June 1979 and have taken place almost every year since. The games are organised by a group of hard working volunteers from the local area who manage to create one of the major annual events in North Ayrshire.

The first games in 1979

Ardrossan Highland Games 30th Anniversary Tune Competition

Winner of the tune competition is

Mr John Gerard McClumpha

of Saltcoats

Second Place:

Mr George Johnstone of Glasgow

Third place:

Mr Ian M. C. Mathieson of West Kilbride

Post code for Sat Nav and directions software:

KA22 8AP

A brief history of the highland games in Scotland

Highland Games date back to the reign of King Malcolm the third who reigned in Scotland from 1057 to 1093.

Malcolm came to the throne after he had avenged the death of his father by slaying Mac beth at the battle of Lumphanon on the 15th of August 1057. Following the battle, Malcolm decided to have a foot race up the scenic slopes of Craig Connich close to the village of Aberdeen. The fastest were enlisted to be his couriers to relay messages across the glen. This contest is described as being the first Highland Gathering.

The clan chieftains had their gatherings, to select their champions. The best in the strength and throwing events became his bodyguards or his henchmen the fastest became their couriers.Pipers and dancers added to the entertainment of the games.

After the defeat in 1746 at the battle of Culloden the “ACT OF PROSCRITION” was introduced banning the carrying of arms, wearing of the Kilt, playing the bagpipes, and any gathering of persons. If caught the guilty would be deported or voluntary sent to the colonies and enforced executions. Most of these cultural traditions were kept behind closed doors.

The first society Gatherings was held in Falkirk in 1781 this encouraged other games /gatherings to be held and the revival of the gatherings as we know it today. In 1848 Queen Victoria visited the Braemar Gathering and to this day royalty still visits annually. Ceres Highland Games is said to be the oldest games existing today, dating back from 1314 just after the Battle of Bannock burn. These games are still held on their traditional day the last Saturday in June.

The famous Cowal Gathering is the largest and most prestigious games in the world today. Over a 1000 pipers and hundreds of dancers from all over the world come to compete at the Cowal Gathering. Traditional heavy events also take place attracting top class athletes the most spectacular, being the tossing of the Tillhill Caber.

Copyright (c) 2009 Ardrossan Highland Games