Glenurquhart Highland Gathering & Games
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About the race
The Glenurquhart Highland Gathering & Games takes place on 22 August 2026 at the Games Field in Drumnadrochit, set against the backdrop of Loch Ness. The programme combines traditional Highland sport, piping, dancing and athletics under formal competition rules. A flagship event is the World Female Heavy Events Championship, sanctioned by the Royal Scottish Highland Games Association and run under RSHGA rules and Clean Sport standards. The championship is limited to 10 places; automatic qualification is available for athletes meeting listed standards in at least one event: Shot Putt (9 lbs, 36 ft), Weight for Distance (16 lbs, 56 ft), Scots Hammer (13 lbs, 85 ft) and Weight over the Bar (28 lbs, 14 ft 6 in).
Entry deadline for the World Championship is 1 July 2026 or earlier if places are filled. Open Heavy Events follow RSHGA rules with athletes competing across five traditional throws; the open heavy events are limited to 8 competitors due to the championship schedule. Junior Heavy Events cover four throwing events for athletes born between 31/12/2008 and 23/08/2014, with a maximum of 6 competitors. Track and field competition runs under SAL rules and includes sprints, middle distance and jumps with female and open categories plus some Under-14 events for athletes born after 01/01/2013. Piping competitions include Piobaireachd for senior and junior pipers.
Local events and tug of war form part of the programme with separate local-entry conditions. Registration fees cover gate entry; a range of ticket prices and waiting list procedures apply for specific events. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
