| Where: | New Galloway, Dumfriesshire at the Catstrand Art Gallery & New Galloway Park, High Street |
| When: | Sunday in early August (usually 1st Sunday) |
| Time: | 2pm |
The Scottish Alternative Games held at New Galloway each August are a Lowlands equivalent to the better known Highland games held around the country – so if you fancy a change from tossing the caber and throwing the hammer, perhaps the Gird ‘n’ Cleek championship will appeal. Gird ‘n’ Cleek is the main event at the games, and the competition here is the World Championship of the sport which involves bowling along a large metal hoop (the gird) with an attached propulsion rod (the cleek) – competitors push the hoop along using the rod, which is a skilled test of balance and frequently results in wobbles and tumbles. There are heats for different age groups, then the winners of each section take part in the World Championship final. Other attractions at the games include tractor pulling (fastest pull over the set distance of 20 yards wins), snail racing, archery and tossing the sheaf over a high bar, which are run while the heats are ongoing throughout the afternoon, as well as plenty of food, drink and crafts in the marquees and a pipe band. The event began as a charity fundraiser in the 1970s and it raises considerable sums for good causes.
Helpful Hints
In 2025 the games should be held on Sunday 3rd August (to be confirmed)- check the link below for full details and up-to-date timings.
It lasts all afternoon with exact timing dependent on the number and speed of competitors in the various contests. Entrants may register on the day for all the competitions.
Free car parking is signposted on approaches to the village – look out for the signs showing a figure bowling their hoop! The Catstrand Gallery just over the road from the events field is usually open all day (loos are available here). Entry for adults in 2022 is £6 each which is excellent value for such a packed afternoon’s entertainment.
This event is still difficult to find far-in-advance online details for, though now has its own Facebook page (link below) which is very well updated near to the event.
If the weather is very wet, occasionally the Gird ‘n’ Cleek has to be cancelled but most of the events go ahead whatever the weather.
Click here for the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/The-Scottish-Alternative-Games-New-Galloway-275903176494927/
Click here for the local events listings site: https://www.facebook.com/DGWGO
hi we had a great time here last year and would like to attend again,we live in England do would appreciate it if you could e mail me with the date as soon as you can many thanks mrs jan williamson
Hi Jan,
Thanks for your inquiry. While I fully expect the games will be on the usual weekend, I don’t have any connection to the organisation of the event and would strongly advise you to contact them direct just in case there’s some reason why it might move date this year that I don’t know about (this can happen occasionally with even usually very predictable dates!). You can message them directly from their own Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/thescottishalternativegames . Sadly we don’t offer an email alert service for the individual events on the website as there are over 800 up there, but I’ll be checking the Games page for updates nearer the time- they usually don’t put anything up until early summer- which is when I’ll confirm the date on calendarcustoms.com.
Best wishes,
Averil