Oldest Highland Games??

[OC Richard]

I've been going to the Caledonian Club of San Francisco's Highland Games since the 1970's. These were held for years in Santa Rosa but now are held at Pleasanton.

They have been going on since 1865.

I was a bit surprised when our pipe band went to Scotland and found out that one of the Highland Games we attended there had only been going on since the 1920's if I recall correctly.

But that makes me wonder, what are the oldest Games in the USA? Canada? New Zealand? Australia? Scotland?

[Jock Scot]

Good question and I have no idea of an answer, but I will be interested to find out.

[JSFMACLJR]

A quick search found this:

Argyllshire Gathering: founded in 1871
Braemar Gathering: the Braemar Highland Society was founded in 1815 as the Braemar Wright Society. A gathering has been held from at least 1832.
Lonach Highland Gathering: The Lonach Highland and Friendly Society was founded in 1823.
Aboyne Highland Games: 1867
Northern Meeting: The Northern Meeting was founded in Inverness in 1788. Although I do not think the Meeting involves games anymore, it is one of the premier piping competitions in the world to this day. I am sure Jock Scot can tell us more about the goings on of this august society. I do know they do put on a delightful ball!

[Jack Daw]

I found several webbies that said the SFO games and the Detroit games were the oldest in the U.S. with events dating back to the Civil War period. The website for the St. Andrews Highland Games (Detroit) held in Livonia, MI, indicated that 2009 was the year of the 160th game.

[macwilkin]

I found several webbies that said the SFO games and the Detroit games were the oldest in the U.S. with events dating back to the Civil War period. The website for the St. Andrews Highland Games (Detroit) held in Livonia, MI, indicated that 2009 was the year of the 160th game.

If I remember correctly, these are the two games mentioned as the oldest in the United States in Emily Donaldson's history of the Highland Games. I'll have to look at my copy tonight.

T.

[Macman]

The first games in Victoria, B.C., were held in 1864, and it looks like they've been held continuously by the Victoria Highland Games Association since 1938.

http://www.victoriahighlandgames.com/about/history/

[Jack Daw]

If I remember correctly, these are the two games mentioned as the oldest in the United States in Emily Donaldson's history of the Highland Games. I'll have to look at my copy tonight.

T.

I've been to the SFO games in Pleasanton (as a solo pipes competitor) a few years ago, but I haven't been to Livonia, except for business. As nice as I know Livonia to be, I'd like to go to those games sometime.

[cessna152towser]

Another long established games is Bridge of Allan, near Stirling, held within sight of the Wallace Monument and claimed to have first taken place before 1823 and become organised and known as the Strathallan Highland Games by 1848. The games were held until 1858 and then revived in 1863 since when they have been held every year except during the two World Wars and 2002 when the games field was flooded.

[Detroitpete]

I've been to the SFO games in Pleasanton (as a solo pipes competitor) a few years ago, but I haven't been to Livonia, except for business. As nice as I know Livonia to be, I'd like to go to those games sometime.

Jack,
If you ever get the chance to get here, the Livonia/Detroit games are a blast.

[Highland Logan]

The Antigonish Highland Games, in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, claim to be the oldest continuous highland games in North America. First held in 1863, they are preparing for their 150th anniversary in the 2011.

Frank