SHG Timeline
History of The Stirling Highland Games
Welcome you to our timeline feature on the history and news about the Stirling Highland Games.
Since 2014 we have commissioned a few pieces of research including with the University of Stirling MSc Environment, Heritage, and Policy dissertation project undertaken by Ian Mackintosh. Research from Alasdair Macdonald has now also uncovered Stirling’s place in highland games dates back to one of the earliest in Scotland.
We are excited to keep exploring where Stirling sits in the history and culture of highland games and will continue to support ongoing research. If you would like to contribute some time into this, please get in touch with us.
Kevin McKenzie
Stirling Highland Games Chieftain
Kathryn White
Stirling Highland Games Chieftain
Alison McGrandles
Stirling Highland Games Chieftain
May – Plant a Tree Initiative
Apr – Rugby Star Ali McGrandles Named Chieftain of Stirling Highland Games
Mar – Stirling Highland Games offers more than just a highland games
The SHG Committee organise another virtual Stirling Highland Games event due to COVID-19.
Are you strong enough to impress Robert the Bruce?
Stirling Highland Games event cancelled due to covid-19 pandemic.
Stirling Highland Games to hold virtual event in 2020
Kieron Achara
Stirling Highland Games Chieftain
Oct – Stirling Highland Games President, Matt McGrandles voted onto the General Council of the Scottish Highland Games Association
Simone Labib
Stirling Highland Games Chieftain
Kari Carswell
Stirling Highland Games Chieftain
Lesley Paterson
Stirling Highland Games Chieftain
Michael Goodfellow
Stirling Highland Games Chieftain
Stirling Highland Games committee engage with Active Stirling as part of the Junior Games, an event to encourge all S1 pupils in the Stirling District area to particiapte in sport. The SHG committee provided opportunities for the pupils to try out several highland games events throughout the day.
Ally Hogg
Stirling Highland Games Chieftain
Aug – Stirling Highland Games President Matt McGrandles announces that future Games Chieftains will be selected from nominated famous sons and daughters of Stirling that have achieved success at the highest level in their fields.
Apr – Stirling Tourism Association pass, at their AGM, full ownership of Stirling Highland Games to local Stirling resident and social entrepreneur, Matt McGrandles.
Jan – Stirling Highland Games event cancelled due to low visitor numbers, reduced sponsorship and lack of interest and support from Local Authority.
Stirling Highland Games event cancelled due to bad weather
Bruce Crawford
Stirling Highland Games Chieftain
Fergus Wood
Stirling Highland Games Chieftain
No games
Andrew Cameron
Stirling Highland Games Chieftain
Ian Bowie
Stirling Highland Games Chieftain
Basil L Stewart
Stirling Highland Games Chieftain
Colin O’Brien
Stirling Highland Games Chieftain
Alan Rennie
Stirling Highland Games Chieftain
Anne McGuire
Stirling Highland Games Chieftain
James Mclaren
Stirling Highland Games Chieftain
John A Doglione
Stirling Highland Games Chieftain
Donald E Hay
Stirling Highland Games Chieftain
Peter McKenzie
Stirling Highland Games Chieftain
John Paterson
Stirling Highland Games Chieftain
Nigel Tranter
Stirling Highland Games Chieftain
Frank W Saunders
Stirling Highland Games Chieftain
John Rodgers
Stirling Highland Games Chieftain
Pat Greenhill
Stirling Highland Games Chieftain
Manuel Koutsaurais
Stirling Highland Games Chieftain
J Stirling
Stirling Highland Games Chieftain
James Fraser
Stirling Highland Games Chieftain
Jack Smith
Stirling Highland Games Chieftain
Michael Connarty
Stirling Highland Games Chieftain
John Hendry
Stirling Highland Games Chieftain
Rennie McOwen
Stirling Highland Games Chieftain
Ian Wyles
Stirling Highland Games Chieftain
James N S McEwan
Stirling Highland Games Chieftain
Not Known
Stirling Highland Games Chieftain
Major Murray of Polmaise
Stirling Highland Games Chieftain
Not Known
Stirling Highland Games Chieftain
In 1920, the Railwayman’s Union, held Games in Stirling.
Not Known
Stirling Highland Games Chieftain
Not Known
Stirling Highland Games Chieftain
Not Known
Stirling Highland Games Chieftain
Not Known
Stirling Highland Games Chieftain
Col. McPherson
Stirling Highland Games Chieftain
Col. McPherson
Chairman of SHG Association
Col. McPherson
Stirling Highland Games Chieftain
Col. McPherson
Chairman of SHG Association
James Graham 4th Duke of Montrose
President of the SHG Association
Col. McPherson
Chairman of the SHG Association
Charles Murray 7th Earl of Dunmore
Steward
The Stirlingshire Highland Games went ahead on Saturday 23rd July 1870 at Wellgreen, St Ninians. The Competitions began at 10 am [except Quoits which began at 9 am]. Entertainment was provided by a Brass band Music and refreshments were available. The Stirling Journal reported July 30th 1870, “newly 4000 people congregated at St Ninians Well Green to witness the inauguration of Highland Games in Stirling. On several previous occasions games had taken place which were contained to particular regiments stationed in the town and in which few favoured citizens were allowed to take part in as amateurs. These events had taken place in Queens Park. It is well known that many of the local villages had celebrated their annual holiday with a form of games.”
In 1865, between 2000 – 3000 miners held Games in Stirling.
In 1859, an exhibition of Highland Games was held in Stirling.
In 1858, full Garrison Highland Games were held in the King’s Park.
In 1851, full Highland Games were held in Stirling, under the patronage of the Provost of Stirling.
By 1850, the 27th Regiment, who were based in Stirling Castle, held a competition at the following Games in King’s Park – Football, Running Races and Putting the Stone.
The Stirling Journal & Advertiser and Stirling Observer noted that these Highland Gatherings incorporated Highland games (HG) sports such as races and heavy events such as “Puttin’ the Stone”, “Tossing the Caber” and “Throwing the Hammer”. These early HG were a competition for serving soldiers of the Highland Regiment based at Stirling Castle. Occasionally local sportsmen could enter by invitation as an amateur and were barred from winning any prizes. Research also highlighted a link between the Highland Regiment HG and the Stirling Highland Games established in 1870, via Col. McPherson who as Commander of the Regiment in 1870 was one of the instrumental supporters of a HG in Stirling.
In 1845, the events horse racing was added to their events.
In 1842, after a 15 year gap, the Chapmen Games were re-started. Events included, Tilting the Ring, Greased Pole, Foot, Hurdle, Wheelbarrow, Sack and Pig Races.
Stirling Chapman highland games included: ‘Tilting at the Ring’, ‘Foot Races’, ‘Horse Races’ and ‘Putting the Stone’. Hammer throwing, caber tossing and wrestling was now included.
Stirling Chapman highland games included: ‘Tilting at the Ring’, ‘Foot Races’ and ‘Horse Races’ Putting the Stone was now included.
Stirling Chapman highland games included: ‘Tilting at the Ring’, ‘Foot Races’ and ‘Horse Races’.
Stirling Chapman highland games included: ‘Tilting at the Ring’, ‘Foot Races’ and ‘Horse Races’.
Stirling Caledonia Society was established. This society met annually to celebrate the victories of William Wallace and Andrew de Moray (Stirling Bridge, 1297) and Robert Bruce (Bannockburn, 1314), and within a few years the meetings would honour prominent citizens of the Burgh.
Stirling Chapman highland games included: ‘Tilting at the Ring’, ‘Foot Races’ and ‘Horse Races’.
Stirling Chapman highland games included: ‘Tilting at the Ring’, ‘Foot Races’ and ‘Horse Races’.
Race at Stirling
To be run for at Stirling on 12th day of October next,
A purse of 10 guineas given by the society of chapmen, the belt of three four mile heats.
The horses to be entered at Gibbs Inn, on the Friday before, and to pay five shillings each to the Clerk of the Society.
The Caledonia Mercury – Stirling, Sept 21st 1805
The Stirling Highland Games committee would like to thank Alasdair Macdonald for his research on highland games in Scotland as well as the University of Stirling MSc Environment, Heritage, and Policy dissertation project undertaken by Ian Mackintosh.