The 160th Scottish Highland Gathering & Games, California’s longest-running and largest Scottish Games event, is quickly approaching.
The games take place on Sept. 5 and 6 at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton. Hosted by the Caledonian Club of San Francisco, the Highland Gathering & Games was started to perpetuate Scotland’s ancient customs, games and costumes, while spreading Scottish literature, music and art. The first Highland Games in California were at Hayes Park in San Francisco but have been at the Alameda County Fairgrounds since 1994.
ZstudioZ
ZstudioZ
According to public relations and communications chair Sabine Zimmerhansl, attending both days of the games is necessary. “It’s not possible to [do it all in one day],” she said. “There’s always something going on.” Zimmerhansl said this is the largest event of its kind on the North American continent. “It really takes some time to see everything.”
New to this year’s games are the attendance of Lairds all the way from Scotland. Lairds are the nominal leaders of a Scottish clan, according to Zimmerhansl.
“It’s a very special occasion to meet the head of your clan in person, and not just see him on the website or know about him by name,” said Zimmerhansl. “For a lot of the clan families, this is a really big event when that happens.” McGrahm, McTavish, McGordon and Campbell are all examples of Scottish clan families.
For animal guests, among the other farm animals present, a highland cow and her baby will be at the games. There will also be three more Scottish food vendors this year, with two of them coming to the games from Scotland. Vendors will be selling fish and chips, sausage rolls, Scottish meat pies and more.
Happening again this year to kick off the games is the Kilted Mile Race, the only kilted race in the United States. “It was always part of the competitions that the Caledonian Club had when it started from a family picnic,” Zimmerhansl said. “When we moved over to the fairgrounds, it was a natural fit to use the horse track for the race. It became a standing thing that starts right after the opening ceremony.”
Zimmerhansl said everyone from three-year-olds to adults runs the mile-long kilted race, cheering on each other the whole way.
Scottish Heavy Athletics competitions for both men and women are happening simultaneously during the games, which is rare, as typically only men compete in these events. Athletic events in the competition include hammer throwing, caber toss and sheaf tossing.
The final thing to look out for is the numerous bands and live performances happening throughout the weekend. Participating bagpipe bands and over 200 solo pipers and drummers will be competing for honors during the games. At the closing ceremony, this year’s guest pipe band, the LA Scotts, will perform with the guest military band.
“We have the largest assembly of bagpipe players in the mass band at the end [of the games]. You have about 700 bagpipes playing at the same time,” shared Zimmerhansl. “People should stay until the end because, when you hear ‘Amazing Grace’ played by 700 pipes at the same time, it kind of rumbles through your whole body. It’s an utterly amazing experience.”
According to Zimmerhansl, no one can even get this experience in Edinburgh, Scotland, where annual military music shows are held.
“Come have authentic food, meet your clan and enjoy the music and the sports that you don’t see anywhere else in the world other than if you’re in Scotland,” she said.
Can’t make it to the games? The Friday Night Concert at the fairgrounds offers a preview of the bands playing throughout the weekend.
Scottish Highland Gathering & Games
Saturday, Sept. 5–Sunday, Sept. 6
Gates open 8am–6pm
Alameda County Fairgrounds
General daily admission: Senior: $44.80, youth: $28, child: $5.60
Parking: $15
thescottishgames.com
