Bute Highland Games

Bute Highland Games Competitors and spectactors come from all over the world to enjoy Bute Highland Games. www.butehighlandgames.org

Saturday 23rd August 2025

The origins of Highland Games in Scotland can be traced back many hundreds of years. Clan Chiefs used the Games to recruit staff. Winners of races made excellent couriers, whilst winners of strength events made fine bodyguards and soldiers. Rival Clan Chiefs often used to match their champions against each other at important Highland Gatherings and great status was placed on winning and losing. Da

ncers and pipers also became part of the household staff of Clan Chiefs, not merely for their entertainment value but also for the esteem and glory which their skills and success inevitably reflected on their masters. King Malcolm is thought to have begun the Royal association with the Highland Games at Braemar during the 11th Century. It was Queen Victoria, who dearly loved Scotland, who later made modern Highland Games so universally popular from the 19th Century onwards. Although Games were held on Bute in earlier times, their exact history is unclear. The modern Games, as we know them, began in 1947 under the auspices of Bute Shinty and the Amateur Athletic Sports’ Club. The Founder Secretary, Tom B McMillan, served as Honorary Secretary from 1947 till 1989. He remained active on the Organising Committee as our Vice Chieftain until his sad death during 1993. In 1989 Gordon Sutherland was appointed Honorary Secretary until he stepped down at the AGM in June 2008. At the same AGM David Anderson was unanimously appointed Honorary Secretary continuing in that role until Steve Hollliday 'took up the gauntlet' in 2015 to become only the fourth holder of that post in 68 years! These Games have gradually grown in status and strength to their present position as one of the major events on the Highland Games’ calendar. All competitions at the Bute Highland Games are run in accordance with Amateur Rules and Regulations. The preparatory and organisational work is all carried out by volunteers.

We couldn’t have done it without you! 🪵🥁A massive, heartfelt THANK YOU to the incredible army of volunteers who made the...
23/08/2026

We couldn’t have done it without you! 🪵🥁

A massive, heartfelt THANK YOU to the incredible army of volunteers who made the 2026 Bute Highland Games an absolute triumph yesterday!

An event of this scale simply cannot happen without the dedication, energy, and community spirit of our volunteers. Whether you were with us for a few hours or have been working all week and beyond, your hard work allowed the day to run smoothly from start to finish.

We want to send a special shout-out to everyone who pitched in across the board:

🏗️ The Build Crew: For doing the heavy lifting to set up and tear down the site.

🎟️ The Gate Teams and Treasurer’s Team: For welcoming thousands of visitors with a friendly smile.

🏃‍♂️ The Road Race Stewards: For keeping our 10k runners and athletes safe and motivated.

☕ 🍺 The Hospitality Heroes: For keeping everyone watered, and looked after.

🧹 The Litter Pickers: For working tirelessly to keep our beautiful venue looking great.

🥇 To all the Event Officials, Stewards and Coaches: Thank you for your expertise to allow each competition to go off with a bang.

🧍 And anyone else who has contributed in some way, thank you ❤️

You are the beating heart of our community, and the games are a success because of people like you.

And that’s a wrap, thank you to all that came to Bute Highland Games 2026, whether to spectate, compete, officiate or to...
22/08/2026

And that’s a wrap, thank you to all that came to Bute Highland Games 2026, whether to spectate, compete, officiate or to be the support crew, you helped create an excellent day.

Thank you from all at Bute Highland Games for making today another one to remember. 👏

We hope to see you again on Saturday, 21st August, 2027 - Save the date. 📆

22/08/2026
Bute Highland Games - Honorary Chieftain 2026Maureen Beattie OBEActress and local community groups member Maureen Beatti...
22/08/2026

Bute Highland Games - Honorary Chieftain 2026

Maureen Beattie OBE

Actress and local community groups member Maureen Beattie OBE will be today’s Bute Highland Games Chieftain.

Maureen trained at what is now the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland graduating in 1974 with the James Bridie Gold Medal and she has been working as an actress and director ever since. She was President of Equity, the union for performers and creative practitioners, until 2022 and was made OBE in the 2020 Honours List for services to the entertainment industry.

Maureen received an Outstanding Woman of Scotland award from the Saltire Society in 2018. It was through her late father, the actor and comedian, and former Bute Highland Games Chieftain, Johnny Beattie, that her love for Bute really began and she has had a home on the island since 2004.

Maureen is proud to follow in her father’s footsteps as a member of the Winter Garden Steering Group and as a Champion of the Pavilion but most especially as Chieftain of the Bute Highland Games 2026.

Welcome to Bute Highland Games Maureen.

It’s almost time - See you tomorrow 😎.Timings are approximate and subject to change, please listen out for the tannoy an...
21/08/2026

It’s almost time - See you tomorrow 😎.

Timings are approximate and subject to change, please listen out for the tannoy announcements 📣📢.

Bute Highland Games - 10K Road Race - Runner information! On the day - 🏃‍♂️ 🏃‍♀️ Please ensure that you register yourse...
21/08/2026

Bute Highland Games - 10K Road Race - Runner information!

On the day - 🏃‍♂️ 🏃‍♀️

Please ensure that you register yourself at the Athletics tent between 12 Noon and 14.00hrs where you will be given your race number with timing chip attached.

The race is due to start at 15.00hrs sharp, please make sure you are ready to go no later than 14.45hrs at the entrance to the arena. A marshall will meet you there and es**rt you to the start line for a safety brief.

🚨For your safety and the safety of other road users, as the course is not on a closed road, please ensure that you run on the 'safe' side of the cones and using the pavements, you must not run on the roadway unless within the cones.

Bute Highland GamesPolite reminder that as we are a licensed event no alcohol can be brought into the games site, only t...
21/08/2026

Bute Highland Games

Polite reminder that as we are a licensed event no alcohol can be brought into the games site, only the alcohol purchased within one of our dedicated bars may be consumed on site, anyone found to be drinking alcohol other than that purchased at one of our dedicated bars will be asked to leave the games site, as per the requirements of the licence.

Our bars run by Rothesay Brandanes AFC will take both cash and card, though card preferred.

Bute Highland Games - Junior ShintyShinty is a fast, physical, and highly skilled traditional Scottish team sport played...
21/08/2026

Bute Highland Games - Junior Shinty

Shinty is a fast, physical, and highly skilled traditional Scottish team sport played with curved wooden sticks and a small leather ball. Primarily played in the Scottish Highlands, it is a precursor to modern ice hockey and shares ancient Celtic roots with Irish hurling.

Our competition for Juniors is a great showcase for the upcoming stars of the future 🏑, make sure to give them a cheer and show them your support.

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