Braemar Highland Games – Scotland 2025

Background & History

The Braemar Highland Games, officially the Braemar Gathering, is Scotland’s most iconic Highland Games, held annually on the first Saturday of September at the Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park, Braemar, Aberdeenshire. Originating over 900 years ago with King Malcolm III’s foot races to select couriers, the modern event, organized by the Braemar Royal Highland Society since 1815, has been held in its current form since 1832. Granted Royal status by Queen Victoria in 1866, it attracts 16,000 attendees and is regularly attended by the British Royal Family, with King Charles III as patron.

The 2025 Gathering, on 6 September, celebrates Scottish heritage through athletic competitions, Highland dancing, and piping, set in the Cairngorms National Park. The Duke of Rothesay Highland Games Pavilion, opened in 2019 by Queen Elizabeth II, showcases the event’s history and supports the Braemar Royal Highland Charity (BRHC).

Event Highlights

• Heavy Events: 6 September, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, Memorial Park, $18.30–$73.20 USD, featuring caber toss, hammer throw, and stone put.
• Highland Dancing: 6 September, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM, Memorial Park, $18.30–$73.20 USD, with over 100 dancers competing for silver medals.
• Pipe Band Performances: 6 September, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, Memorial Park, $18.30–$73.20 USD, including massed bands at 11:30 AM and 3:00 PM.
• Tug o’ War: 6 September, 1:00 PM–3:00 PM, Memorial Park, $18.30–$73.20 USD, with InterServices Unit Championship.
• Hill Race: 6 September, 11:00 AM–1:00 PM, Creag Chòinnich, $18.30–$73.20 USD, open to the public.
• Duke of Rothesay Pavilion Exhibition: 6 September, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, Pavilion, $5–$10 USD suggested entry, Games, history, and artifacts.

City

• Braemar: A historic village in the Cairngorms National Park, known for Braemar Castle, proximity to Balmoral Castle (15-minute drive), and scenic Highland landscapes.

Main Event Address

• Primary Venue:
  • Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park: Broombank Terrace, Braemar, AB35 5YX, Scotland (all main events).
• Secondary Venue:
  • Duke of Rothesay Highland Games Pavilion: Broombank Terrace, Braemar, AB35 5YX, Scotland (exhibition, cafe).
• Administrative Contact: Braemar Royal Highland Society, c/o The Secretary, Braemar, AB35 5YX, Scotland.
• Note: Full details at www.braemargathering.org.

Date & Duration

• Date: 6 September 2025 (Saturday).
• Duration: 1 day.
• Opening Times (Confirmed):
  • Gates Open: 9:00 AM.
  • Events: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM.
  • Pipe Band Parades: 11:30 AM (Invercauld Arms Hotel), 3:00 PM (Auchendryne Square).
• Note: Full schedule TBD August 2025 at www.braemargathering.org.

Venue / Location

• Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park: Outdoor venue with grandstand and ringside seating, accessible toilets, and food trucks. Free parking at village entrance (10-minute walk); no on-street parking. Shuttle bus for the elderly/infirm.
• Duke of Rothesay Highland Games Pavilion: Adjacent to Memorial Park, houses a heritage exhibition, cafe, and a gift shop. Accessible facilities are available.
• Additional Venues: Speculative post-event ceilidh at local venue (e.g., Braemar Village Hall) TBD August 2025.
• Note: Accessibility and venue details at bookings@braemargathering.org.

Contact Information

• Email: bookings@braemargathering.org (ticketing); secretary@braemargathering.org (general, Sheena Fraser); hazel@brhcharity.org (Pavilion); braemargatheringmedia@brhcharity.org (press).
• Phone: +44 (0)1339 741 098 (ticketing); +44 (0)1339 749 220 (Pavilion).
• Website: www.braemargathering.org (main); www.eventbrite.co.uk (ticketing); braemarhighlandgamescentre.org (Pavilion).
• Social Media: Follow @braemargathering on Facebook; check www.braemargathering.org for updates.
• Ticketing: Purchase via www.braemargathering.org or www.eventbrite.co.uk. Groups (10+) email bookings@braemargathering.org.

Ticket Information

• How to Book: Purchase via www.braemargathering.org or www.eventbrite.co.uk from 1 November 2024. Allow 28 days for processing. Refunds at BRHC discretion, with £5–£5.50 booking fee ($6.10–$6.71 USD). Contact bookings@braemargathering.org for accessibility or groups.
• 2025 Pricing (USD, 1 GBP ≈ 1.22 USD):
  • General Admission: £15 ≈ $18.30 USD (non-seated).
  • Seated Tickets (Ringside): £25 ≈ $30.50 USD (sold out as of August 2025).
  • Seated Tickets (Covered Grandstand): £50–£60 ≈ $61–$73.20 USD.
  • Family Ticket (2 adults, 2 children): £45 ≈ $54.90 USD.
  • Booking Fees: £5–£5.50 ≈ $6.10–$6.71 USD per order.
  • Concession (Under 5): Free.
• Additional Notes:
  • Seated tickets include General Admission. Pricing from provided data (£15–£45) and web results (e.g.,,,). Grandstand pricing (£50–£60) from prior listing for consistency. All seated tickets sold out. Full pricing TBD August 2025 at www.braemargathering.org.

Cultural Significance

The Braemar Gathering, with over 900 years of history, is a cornerstone of Scottish culture, showcasing clan traditions, tartans, and athletic prowess. Attended by royalty since 1848, including King Charles III, it draws 16,000 visitors to Braemar’s 400-person village, boosting tourism. Its foot races, dating to 1832, inspired the modern Olympics, per Baron Pierre de Coubertin. The Duke of Rothesay Pavilion, opened in 2019, educates on Games history, reinforcing its cultural legacy.

Food & Drinks

• Festival Venue: Food trucks at Memorial Park (fish and chips, burgers, ice cream, beer, $5–$15 USD). No outside alcohol or hot food permitted.
• Duke of Rothesay Pavilion Cafe: Snacks and drinks ($3–$10 USD).
• Nearby Dining (Braemar):
  • The Fife Arms: Chapel Brae ($15–$40 USD, 5-minute walk).
  • Braemar Lodge Restaurant: Glenshee Road ($10–$25 USD, 7-minute walk).
  • The Gathering Place Bistro: Mar Road ($8–$20 USD, 5-minute walk).
• Alcohol Policy: Available on-site (18+); no external alcohol allowed.

Family & Accessibility

• Family-Friendly:
  • Free for under 5s; Family Ticket ($54.90 USD) for 2 adults, 2 children. Children’s sack race included. Loud pipes may affect young children.
• Accessibility:
  • Accessible toilets and a shuttle bus for the elderly/infirm at Memorial Park. Grandstand seating is recommended for limited mobility. Guide/assistance dogs only; no other dogs permitted. Pavilion has accessible facilities. Contact bookings@braemargathering.org or +44 (0)1339 741 098 for accommodations.
  • Full details TBD August 2025 at www.braemargathering.org.

Getting There

• By Air: Aberdeen Airport (ABZ, 60 miles, 90-minute drive); Inverness Airport (INV, 80 miles, 2-hour drive).
• Public Transport:
  • Train: Aberdeen Station (60 miles, 90-minute taxi/bus to Braemar).
  • Bus: Stagecoach Bluebird to Braemar (from Aberdeen, $10–$15 USD, 2 hours).
• By Car: Free parking at village entrance (10-minute walk); use AB35 5YX for sat nav. No on-street parking on event day.
• By Taxi: Braemar Taxis (+44 13397 41222) from Aberdeen ($80–$100 USD).
• Rideshare: Limited; Uber from Aberdeen ($70–$90 USD).

Program Details (Confirmed for 2025)

• Heavy Events: 6 September, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, Memorial Park, $18.30–$73.20 USD, includes caber toss, hammer throw, and stone put.
• Highland Dancing: 6 September, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM, Memorial Park, $18.30–$73.20 USD, over 100 dancers.
• Pipe Band Performances: 6 September, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, Memorial Park, $18.30–$73.20 USD, parades at 11:30 AM (Invercauld Arms Hotel) and 3:00 PM (Auchendryne Square).
• Tug o’ War: 6 September, 1:00 PM–3:00 PM, Memorial Park, $18.30–$73.20 USD, InterServices Championship.
• Hill Race: 6 September, 11:00 AM–1:00 PM, Creag Chòinnich, $18.30–$73.20 USD, open to the public.
• Duke of Rothesay Pavilion Exhibition: 6 September, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, Pavilion, $5–$10 USD suggested entry, Games history and artifacts.
• Hypothetical Events:
  • Children’s Sack Race: 6 September, 12:00 PM–1:00 PM, Memorial Park, $18.30–$73.20 USD, family-friendly.
  • Ceilidh/Disco: 6 September, 7:00 PM–10:00 PM, Braemar Village Hall, $10–$20 USD (speculative).
• Note: Programme confirmed except speculative events; full schedule TBD August 2025 at www.braemargathering.org.

Past Notable Performances

• 2024 Highlights: King Charles III and Queen Camilla attended; massed pipe bands and tug o’ war drew 16,000 attendees.
• Past Achievements: Royal patronage since 1848; world’s oldest foot races (1832); inspired modern Olympics.

Sustainability Initiatives

• Eco Practices: Recycling bins at Memorial Park; digital tickets via www.braemargathering.org; Pavilion promotes sustainable heritage education.
• Note: 2025 details TBD at www.braemargathering.org.

Educational Impact

• Duke of Rothesay Pavilion: Exhibition on Games history, costumes, and trophies ($5–$10 USD suggested entry).
• Cultural Performances: Educates on clan heritage, piping, and dancing, free with ticket ($18.30–$73.20 USD).
• BRHC Mission: Promotes Scottish history and community development.

Cultural Activities

• Heavy Events: 6 September, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, $18.30–$73.20 USD.
• Highland Dancing: 6 September, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM, $18.30–$73.20 USD.
• Pipe Band Performances: 6 September, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, $18.30–$73.20 USD.
• Tug o’ War: 6 September, 1:00 PM–3:00 PM, $18.30–$73.20 USD.
• Hill Race: 6 September, 11:00 AM–1:00 PM, $18.30–$73.20 USD.
• Pavilion Exhibition: 6 September, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, $5–$10 USD.

Travel Tips

• Book Early: Tickets on sale 1 November 2024 at www.braemargathering.org; seated tickets sold out.
• Weather Prep: September (45–55°F, rainy); pack waterproofs, sturdy shoes.
• Explore Locally: Braemar Castle ($10 USD, 5-minute walk); Linn of Dee (free, 10-minute drive).
• Public Transport: Stagecoach Smartcard ($10 USD) for Aberdeen–Braemar.
• Festival Info: Digital schedules at www.braemargathering.org; no dedicated app.

Local Attractions

• Braemar:
  • Braemar Castle: Chapel Brae ($10 USD, 5-minute walk).
  • Linn of Dee: Scenic river (free, 10-minute drive).
  • Duke of Rothesay Highland Games Pavilion: Broombank Terrace ($5–$10 USD, 2-minute walk).

Accommodation Options

• Braemar:
  • Hotels: The Fife Arms ($150–$300 USD/night, 5-minute walk).
  • B&Bs: Braemar Lodge ($80–$150 USD/night, 7-minute walk).
  • Airbnb: Braemar cottages ($50–$120 USD/night).
• Ballater (15 miles):
  • Hotels: Darroch Learg ($100–$200 USD/night, 20-minute drive).
• Booking Tip: Reserve 6–12 months for the September peak; check www.scotlandsbestbandbs.co.uk.

Safety & Health Measures

• Medical Support: First aid at Memorial Park; Braemar Health Clinic (5-minute walk).
• Security: Bag checks; no sharp objects or large bags.
• Health Protocols: Sanitizer stations; optional masks outdoors.
• Weather Preparedness: Outdoor venue, rain or shine; waterproof clothing advised.