Games are held in a wide variety of locations at various times of day and night. Here are some things you may want to have on hand:

• Folding chair
• Ground cloth if you plan to sit on the ground
• Flashlight if attending evening events
• Sturdy walking shoes
• Cash for tickets, parking, food, and shopping.
• Not everyone takes credit cards.
• Sunscreen
• Rain gear
• Backpack or rolling tote bag to carry your gear and purchases

Parking at a highland game can be an adventure in itself. Usually, the best parking spaces are reserved for those who purchase Patron or Sponsor packages. For everyone else, parking options vary. Smaller games may allow you to park next to the field but larger ones may require you to park offsite and take a shuttle. In either case, be prepared to walk some distance and carry whatever items you’re bringing…which is why we recommend backpacks or rolling totes. Make sure to bring money for parking or the shuttle if you don’t have a parking pass.

Games officials are happy to provide services for those with special needs. Often, this includes transportation to your clan tent via golf cart. Keep in mind that games aren’t always 100% handicapped accessible but motorized scooters and wheelchairs navigate many areas without difficulty. If you have special needs, contact the games office before you arrive. They’ll do everything possible to assist and make your visit a pleasant one.

Food selections vary significantly depending on the vendors present. In many cases, you’ll often find traditional Scottish fare such as meat pies, scotch eggs, fish & chips, scones and shortbread.

Beyond this, food choices vary significantly. Persons with special dietary preferences may find it difficult to locate appropriate items. If you’re in this category, it may be best to bring your own snack.

Concerning Alcoholic Beverages: Alcohol consumption is regulated by county law and the games committee. Some games are alcohol-free while others allow it to be served by vendors, in hospitality tents, or at whiskey-tasting seminars. The only way to know is to check with the games office in advance.

Final Food Note: Don’t forget to bring cash. Not all food vendors accept credit cards.

The variety of events offered at a highland game depend largely on size. The larger the attendance, the more activities available.

Many games include some type of heavy athletics, such as the caber toss, sheaf toss, and hammer throw. These athletics can be for amateurs or professionals. Entertainment can range from bagpipe, harp, or highland dance competitions to bands playing Scottish folk songs or Celtic rock. Often, there are demonstrations by Scottish country dancers, historical re-enacters, or border collie teams. For a full schedule of events, check the games website. Better yet, purchase a souvenir program when you arrive.

As you might expect, highland games are full of ceremony that produce goose bumps and raise your Scottish pride. Most games open and close with an impressive event involving all participating bagpipe bands – called a “massed band”. Some hold a Parade of Tartans where the members of each clan are announced to spectators and honored guests as they march together around the parade field. Still others hold a Torchlight Ceremony or Calling Of The Clans. Usually held on opening night, this program recalls the ancient days when the clans gathered in Scotland. Clan representatives come forward to the sound of bagpipes; announcing their clan’s arrival at the games while adding their torch to a large bonfire or Saltire cross. It’s a beautiful thing to see.

Once you arrive at the game, make your clan tent the first stop. Here, you’ll be greeted by friendly faces who want to extend a warm welcome and also learn invaluable information about your family’s Scottish connection.

Most clans have a guestbook they’d like you to sign. This keeps a record of how many people stopped by and clarifies demographics for that particular event. Signing does not obligate you to join the organization but some clans will use the information to add you to their mailing list. If you don’t want to be contacted, just let them know.

Clan societies are all-volunteer organizations and generally have small operating funds. They live and die by their paid memberships so if possible, make the effort and join while you’re there. Annual dues are inexpensive (about the cost of a simple dinner for two people) and membership offers wonderful new friends along with continuing information about your heritage.

One of the most frequent questions we hear is, What do I wear to the games?” The answer? Anything you want to! Now that we’ve settled that, here are some things that can help you blend in with the locals.

First of all, we recommend that both men and women get a copy of “So You’re Going To Wear The Kilt”  by J. Charles Thompson. This is the definitive reference for proper Scottish attire and will keep you from making many social and stylistic errors connected with Scottish clothing. This information can be essential if you choose to dress in a more traditional manner or attend formal Scottish events. Reading it will help you know the rules before you decide to break them and will help you avoid fashion faux pas.

Let’s get this out of the way now: The majority of men at the games will be wearing a kilt but there are still a number who do not. If you’re uncomfortable wearing a kilt, you may find khakis or jeans along with a shirt embroidered with your clan insignia to be a popular alternative. These shirts can be purchased online (see our Links page) or from vendors at the games.

Another popular option is a vest over a Jacobite or Kilt/Clansman shirt (period-style muslin shirt that laces up with leather or fabric). This lends a more historic look while still working well with either jeans or kilts. And don’t forget your hat. A Balmoral or Glengarry with clan badge pin is worn by many men – kilt or no kilt. So the choices are varied and up to you.

If you choose to invest in a kilt, do some online research and talk to the many vendors at the games before buying. A kilt is an expensive investment but one that will offer many years of wear if cared for properly.

Several variations of kilt-wear are seen at the games. Some men stick to traditional styles but others prefer the look made popular by “Braveheart” and “Rob Roy” known as the great kilt, highland kilt, or breacan feile. Another type of kilt that’s quickly gaining popularity is the Utilikilt. These are very trendy and often less expensive; however, they’re only appropriate for casual situations and should not be worn as formal attire.

The great kilt is worn in lieu of a traditional kilt and is essentially a 4 – 6 yard long piece of tartan fabric that’s 55 – 60 inches wide (length depends on body size). It’s gathered and pleated around a belt; wrapping the body in such a manner as to finish by hanging from the shoulder. The great kilt is normally worn with a Jacobite/Clansman shirt. It takes a good bit of practice to get it laced correctly and you might need assistance the first few times.

Questions? You’ll find plenty of helpful advice by asking around the games.

When worn properly, the great kilt is a very unique method of historical dress but can require periodic attention throughout the day to stay neat. A two-part lengthy but detailed video on how to make the great kilt can be found on YouTube here and here.

There are a number of kilt accessories you’ll see at the games. Some are appropriate for everyone but others are worn only by clan chiefs, drum majors or to extremely formal events. So, don’t get a ticket from the fashion police! Check with your kilt supplier or refer to “So You’re Going To Wear The Kilt“.

A Final Note: Jokes are never ending about what a gentleman wears or doesn’t wear under his kilt. You’ll find that the choices range from nothing at all (often called “going regimental”), to bike shorts, regular shorts, swim trunks or boxers. The choice is most definitely up to you.

You’ll see a wide variety of everyday clothing at the games; from jeans to jumpers and everything in between. Clan-wear accessories such as tartan sashes, tams and clan crest pins are worn by almost everyone. These items are readily available and aren’t terribly expensive. A frequently seen item is a cape, shawl or ruana in tartan fabric. Another favorite is a pleated skirt; found in knee length (“kilted skirt”) or ankle length (“hostess skirt”) versions.

For those who sew, tartan material can be made into a number of unique items that are both appropriate and comfortable. Tartan skirts, jumpers, vests and blazers are frequently seen at the games. Fabric is available from a number of online sources and comes in various weights of wool, cotton and occasionally, raw silk, flannel or taffeta. Looking for fabric? One highly recommended vendor is The Scottish Weaver.

Finally, women who attend formal Scottish affairs or who are involved in Scottish Country Dancing usually have specific dress requirements.  These are well explained in “So You’re Going To Wear The Kilt”.

Many women enjoy wearing period/historical costumes to the games. While occasionally cumbersome, it’s quite striking and looks good on all body types. If you choose to wear period costume, you won’t feel out of place because there are women of all ages – teens to great grandmothers – who’ve chosen to do the same.

Generally, there are two approaches you can take if you want to wear costume. For lack of a better term, we’ll describe them as the “popular” style and the “re-enacter” style. Both have components that date between the mid-1600s to the late 1700s and both appear to be historically accurate; however, students of costume history will find errors in the “popular” style. So, decide which way you want to go before you buy anything. Either way, you can often find wardrobe components at the games or online at Chivalry Sports Renaissance Store, Museum Replicas Ltd., or Jas. Townsend and Son.

If you choose the “reenactor” style, a good starting point is “Dressing for the ’45: Assembling A Basic 18th Century Scottish Woman’s Costume“.

If you opt for the “popular” look, you’ll need the following wardrobe components:

Chemise: a long-sleeve muslin or linen shift with gathered neckline and sleeves. Looks like an old fashioned nightgown. Usually ankle length but women who attend games in hotter climates have been known to cut them off at the waist. Color should be natural muslin or complimentary to your tartan.

Bodice: a lace-up vest that’s worn over the chemise. Usually made from heavy cotton, tartan, velvet, suede, or tapestry. Solid color bodices should match the clan tartan. At highland games, the bodice is more conservative as opposed to the lower-cut style frequently seen at Renaissance faires.

Skirt: ankle length and very full. Worn over the chemise. Made of heavy cotton or tartan. Solid colors may match or contrast the bodice as long as they’re compatible with the clan tartan. Skirts can be split down the front to reveal the long chemise underneath and can also have a contrasting overskirt. Hoops should not be worn with this style of period dress.

Bonnet (hat): usually a tam (beret) in solid wool or tartan. Sometimes, a snood is worn in place of a bonnet.

Arisaidh: (pronounced air-say). An outer wrap made from tartan material. Almost identical to the man’s great kilt, the main difference is that the women’s version is ankle length instead of knee length. Arisaidhs are made from two to three yards of 45 – 60″ wide tartan fabric (amount varies according to the wearer’s height and size) and require a leather belt or tie at the waist.

Making the Arisaidh: At one end of the fabric, the left and right corners are tied together in a small knot and the right arm is run through the opening; allowing the yardage to hang from the right shoulder. A belt is secured at the waist on top of the fabric. The fabric is then pulled up under the belt until it lines up with the bottom of the skirt (or a few inches higher). This will create a large, draping fold. Then, the fabric under the belt is spread evenly around the waist in soft gathers all the way to the front; essentially creating an overskirt with a front slit and a large, draping piece hanging from the right shoulder. Finally, a clan pin, brooch, or penannualar can be added at the shoulder to secure everything in place.

In Conclusion: there are some negatives to wearing costume; most notably restrooms, weather conditions and driving. However, despite the potential drawbacks, wearing period costume makes the event even more special and ultimately, you’ll be glad you made the extra effort.