| Where: | Blair Castle - Parade on the Castle forecourt and Games in the grounds |
| When: | Spring Bank Holiday Saturday and Sunday |
| Time: | Saturday Parade 2.30 ; 10 am Sunday Games |
The Atholl Gathering kicks off with a parade on the Saturday by the Atholl Highlanders, the only private army in Europe, accompanied by pipes and drums. The Highlanders strut their stuff in the courtyard by the castle; awards are given for long service and marksmanship, and new recruits are presented with a sprig of juniper to wear in their glengarry caps. The troops are inspected and colours presented, and the band plays a selection of favourites like Amazing Grace. Events at the Gathering include all the traditional Highland Games on the Sunday like tossing the caber and throwing the hammer, as well as piping and dancing, a funfair and stalls; the games open with a “march on” by the Highlanders. Some of the field events are between members of the Highlanders only, like the tug-of-war.
Helpful Hints
In 2025 it should be held on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th May, with the Parade on the Saturday and Games on Sunday.
Normal admission charges apply – the Castle and cafe are closed during the parade (though open the rest of the day), and if you just want to view the Parade you need a garden ticket. A large and incredibly loud field gun is fired during the Parade – you have been warned!
If you have any questions, the contact for the Estate (which isn’t very obvious on the website) may be found at https://atholl-estates.co.uk/contact/
Click here for the website and click for Whats On : https://atholl-estates.co.uk
Do you need tickets to attend the Sunday events, and is there transportation from Pitlochry?
Hi Kathie,
Yes, you need to buy tickets for the Sunday- if you follow the link to https://atholl-estates.co.uk/events/atholl-gathering-2022/ you can buy them now, and they’re £9 per adult and £4.50 for children. Be aware that there may be some differences to the event from previous pre-covid times (we visited in 2019, which was the last time it went ahead) but the Blair Castle website should have on it all you’ll need to know. Sorry I don’t know anything about transport from Pitlochry but I expect if you contact the Castle they’ll be able to advise.
Hope you enjoy it!
Averil
Are you allowed pets
I’m pretty sure there were people there with dogs when we went a few years ago but I’d definitely recommend you check direct with the organisers as here at calendar customs we don’t have any connection with the running of the event. If you click through the links under Helpful Hints I’m sure they’ll be able to advise the current rules-hope you enjoy it!
Are there trade stalls at the games? If so, how do we apply to take our stall there this year?
Hi Adrian,
You’ll need to contact Atholl Estates directly ( calendarcustoms.com isn’t connected to the organisation of the Games) and if you click this link it’ll get you all the contact details: https://atholl-estates.co.uk/contact/
Best of luck with it!
Averil
Are dogs allowed at the Blair Atholl Highland Games on 26 May 2024?
Hi Julia,
Thanks for your message- sorry but I really don’t know whether dogs are allowed or not. You’ll need to check with the organisers at https://atholl-estates.co.uk – I had a quick check on their page and there was nothing obvious. You’ll get all the up-to-date info from them for this year if you ask direct,
Best wishes,
Averil
Is there parking at Blair Atholl for the Highland Games?
Hi Sheila- there was plenty of parking when we visited a few years ago. If you have any specific questions you can contact the Estate directly at https://atholl-estates.co.uk/contact/
Hope you enjoy it!
Best wishes,
Averil