Invergarry, Scotland – 4th July 2026

Despite a daunting weather forecast predicting a washout, the 54th annual Glengarry Highland Games defied expectations to deliver a historic day of celebration at the Invergarry Shinty Field. After a few light morning showers, the clouds parted to reveal a largely dry afternoon with bursts of sunshine, drawing a record-breaking crowd of more than 1,100 attendees that briefly pushed the parking capacity to its absolute limit.

This year’s event marked a milestone as the Games celebrated its first official year as a member of the Royal Scottish Highland Games Association (RSHGA). It also marked the 54th Games since the event's reinstatement in 1972 and, according to historic RSHGA records, the 99th Modern Highland Games ever held at Invergarry. With this landmark behind them, the committee will very soon begin planning the major celebrations for the historic 100th Glengarry Games on record.

Presiding over the day's festivities was Chieftain Tim Perkins, Principal Teacher of Invergarry Primary School. Known to regulars for his years hosting the children’s races, Tim brought his trademark warmth and community spirit to the role. In his opening address, he captured the essence of the day:

"Highland communities have never been defined by their size. We are defined by our resilience, our character, and our ability to achieve great things together... We gather to celebrate our traditions, but not to live in the past. We gather to honour our heritage while looking confidently towards the future. We gather to enjoy each other's company, to cheer each other on, and to showcase the very best of Highland life."

The Glengarry Games Committee extends its heartfelt thanks to the public for their patience and good spirits, and to the dedicated team of volunteers who worked tirelessly to keep everyone safe and moving in an orderly fashion.

History Made on the Field: Four Records Broken

The athletic competition reached unprecedented heights this year, particularly in the Omexom Heavy Events. Mhairi Porterfield of East Kilbride put on a masterclass performance to claim the Eric McKenzie Trophy for Best Lady in Heavy Events. In an astonishing display of power, Mhairi shattered four Glengarry field records:

• 13lb Hammer: 79'8"

• 9lb Shot: 36'1"

• 28lb Weight over Bar: 15'0"

• 16lb Weight for Distance: 60'7"

On the men's side, James Dawkins from Aboyne put on an exceptional display of strength to be crowned the Best Man in the Omexom Heavy Events.

History was also made away from the main heavy ring; the Novice Strongman competition proved incredibly popular, with Tristan Mackinlay dominating the field to take first place overall. Meanwhile, Izzy Tait from Dundee wowed onlookers by becoming the first woman ever to successfully lift the historic 131kg Invergarry Lifting Stone, which was returned to the Games in 2024 by Stuart Whyte.

Race Results and Local Champions

The grueling Leac Farm Hill Race - this year on a new route - saw good competition, with top honors going to:

• Men’s Winner: Esmond Tressider (Banavie)

• Women’s Winner: Fiona Tinnions (Roy Bridge)

• Junior Male Winner: Aaron Tressider (Banavie)

The coveted title of Best Local Athlete was awarded to Sarah Pocock from Cannich for her outstanding performance across the day.

Unmissable Entertainment and a Voice of the Games Passing the Baton

Spectators were treated to top-tier entertainment throughout the day. The Lochaber Schools Pipe Band provided a much loved musical backdrop, with the committee noting special gratitude to the students who gave up their summer holiday time to perform. The Skye Circus Skills troupe delighted families with the premiere of their enchanting "A Midsummer Night's Dream" performance, while the Muckmedden Bike Track, bouncy castle, and face painting kept smiles bright across the field.

The day's entertainment peaked with a fantastic, lighthearted Tug O' War competition. A team of local underdogs took on the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. To the roaring delight of the crowd, the local underdogs managed to win one end in the best-of-three showdown. Ultimately, the Fire and Rescue Service claimed the overall victory, only to face a final challenge from all the children on the field—a showdown the children, of course, won comfortably.

This year also marked an emotional transition for the event's commentary. The committee recognizes the immense contribution of John Hutchison, who has served as the beloved voice of the Games since 2023. John has guided the event through a major period of growth and reinvigoration. The committee is incredibly grateful for his thoughtful, kind, and comprehensive commentary that helped make the Games what they are today. John is passing the microphone to the presenters at Nevis Radio, who broadcasted live from the field throughout the day.

An event of this magnitude takes months of preparation. The committee wishes to highlight the phenomenal efforts of the volunteer committee who have worked since last winter to pull the logistics together, as well as the army of local volunteers on the day who managed everything from gates to safety in an incredibly busy environment.

A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Sponsors and Partners

The success of the 54th Glengarry Highland Games is entirely dependent on the outstanding generosity of our sponsors and partners:

• For Supporting Event Operations: Our Highland Home Design, Sarah Ford, Iron Therapy Gym, Glengarry Trust, RSHGA, Highland Club, Dundreggan Rewilding Centre, Balfour Beatty, Arena Strength & Fitness, and Pure Leisure Loch Ness Highland Resort.

• For Sponsoring Prizes: Highland Crepe and Coffee, Leac Farm, Omexom, Alvance, Great Glen Sauna, Petstop, Lochaber Dog Services, Highland Broadband, Ardochy House Cottages, and Cruise Loch Ness.

• For Infrastructure and Practical Support: Aberchalder Estate (use of the grounds), Sunbelt (essential equipment), SSE Transmission, Fort Augustus Community Company (transport support), Glengarry Shinty Club (use of the playing field), Hilltop Construction, Glengarry Community and District Hall Association, Bowman Skip Hire, and Steve Whyte.