Stirling, Scotland- The Stirling Highland Games saw another successful gathering on Saturday, August 15th at Stirling Sports Village, with a total of 6125 visitors. The annual event, which has become a staple in Stirling’s calendar, brought together competitors, traders, choirs, reenactments, pipe band performances, storytelling, and volunteers for a day filled with traditional Highland competitions, athletics, cycling, Highland dancing, food, drink, and family entertainment.
This year’s Games Chieftain, Jackie Pirie, expressed her honor in being invited to oversee such an important event. “It is a true privilege to serve as Games Chieftain and be a part of an event that brings together Stirling’s sporting heritage, culture, and community. The Stirling Highland Games has grown into a wonderful celebration that welcomes people from all over Scotland and beyond, and I am honored to have been able to help lead this year’s gathering and celebrate the achievements of our competitors, performers, and volunteers.”
The sporting program showcased the breadth and international appeal of the Highland Games, with competitors coming from various parts of Scotland, the UK, and overseas to take part. The track and field program, which included open and youth competitions, was highly competitive. Some of the highlights included Greg Kelly of East Kilbride AC winning the Open 90m in 10.21 seconds, and Freddie Owsley of Edinburgh AC taking the Open 200m in 22.40 seconds. Stirling’s own Amadou Sury Sou won the Open 400m in 50.62 seconds, while Ruaridh Miller of Kilbarchan AC took first place in the 800m with a time of 1:55.73.
The youth competitions were equally impressive, with Fionn Mallon winning the Youth 90m in 10.96 seconds and Olly Banks taking the Youth 400m in 48.18 seconds. The cycling program featured races of 800m, 1600m, and 3200m, while Josef Ingham emerged victorious in the Long Jump with a distance of 18ft 3in, and Alex Parkinson took the Triple Jump with 35ft 8.5in.
The traditional heavy events were also a major attraction, with Aaron Castle claiming first place in the Heavyweight competition, followed by Kyle Randalls and Shaun Gunn. The Games also featured an adaptive heavyweight competition, which was won by Jim Holburn, with David Dent in second place, Chris Allsop in third, and Kevin Wood in fourth.
The Stirling Stones Challenge saw Tim Meadows record a distance of 84ft 7in, ahead of Bradley Mitchell at 81ft 7in, and Amy McLellan in third place with 40ft.
Highland dancing added an international dimension to the Games, with competitors from Canada, the USA, and England among those taking part. In the Premier 12-and-under Highland Fling, Jessica Copland of Canada took first place, while Clara McKee of Aberdeen won the 13-15 years competition.
Matt McGrandles, President of the Stirling Highland Games, remarked, “The 2026 Stirling Highland Games once again demonstrated the success that can be achieved when Scotland’s sporting heritage is brought to life in a modern, welcoming, and ambitious event. With over 6,000 attendees this year, it was fantastic to see competitors traveling from all over Scotland, the UK, and internationally to be part of the Games.”
“What makes Stirling particularly special is the combination of traditional Highland events with athletics, cycling, Highland dancing, music, food, and entertainment. It creates an event that is genuinely accessible to everyone, whether you are a lifelong Highland Games supporter or experiencing it for the first time,” he added.
McGrandles also took the opportunity to thank all the competitors, traders, performers, volunteers, officials, partners, and members of the organizing team for their contribution to making the 2026 Games a success. He emphasized their commitment as the driving force behind the continued growth of the Stirling Highland Games as one of Scotland’s leading celebrations of sporting heritage and culture.
The 2026 Games also provided a platform for Scottish traders, performers, and community organizations, further solidifying its role as an annual gathering for both local audiences and visitors to Stirling. The organizers are already looking ahead to the 2027 Stirling Highland Games while continuing to strive towards their wider ambition of demonstrating the significant role that Highland Games can play in Scotland’s cultural, sporting, and tourism landscape.
