HIGHLAND GAMES 101
We’re just as excited as you are to see the Highland Games making their way back this year. While you don’t need a Scottish Highland Games, Celtic Festival, Irish Fair, or Renaissance Faire as an excuse to wear your kilt, it doesn’t take a second thought to wear your kilt to any of these events. So throw on your Highland Games attire from Sport Kilt and visit a local event, or make plans for an epic road trip to an in-person festivals.
If you’re competing in the 2022 Highland Games for the first time, not to worry, the athletes and judges are friendly and you’re guaranteed to have a great time. Wondering what to wear? A lot of athletes prefer our Original Sport Kilt with Sewn Down Pleats and a Sport Kilt t-shirt, however, a tank top or event t-shirt will do. Don’t worry about having spiked shoes if it’s your first time, any athletic shoes will do. We recommend our Diamond Cuff kilt hose which will look great and not get too hot. A pair of matching kilt hose flashes won’t get in the way, will look sharp, and will keep your hose in place while you throw for distance and toss the caber. Remember to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and be ready to have a good time testing your physical ability alongside your new kilted friends! You may find Highland Athletic clubs in your area that practice on weekends with the same implements used in competition.
If you’re going to watch, know that the Highland Games is an ancient sport and a precursor to Olympic events like shot put, weight, and hammer throwing. In Medieval times, the Scottish Clans would gather to compete against one another in sports involving strength and skill for bragging rights and to prepare for battles.
UPCOMING 2022 HIGHLAND GAMES
The competitions are set. Are you ready? Check out all the upcoming games below.*
*For more about in-person protocols or virtual attendance, please visit the links below for the most up-to-date information.
Northeast Florida Scottish Highland Games & Festival
Feb 26
Northeast Florida Scottish Games and Festival are bringing a “Wee Bit o’ Scotland” to the Northeast Florida area. Each year residents of Northeast Florida and the surrounding areas gather and enjoy the athletics, music, food and fun of the games.
Arnold Sports Festival
March 3 – 6
The Indoor Scottish Highland Games return to the Arnold Sports Festival in 2022 inside the Arnold Expo at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. More than 50 athletes will compete in 6 divisions in Hall A of the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
Salt Lake City St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 12
The St. Patrick’s Day Parade returns to SLC in 2022!
Redstone Highland Games & Festival
April 8 – 9
From the heather-laden highlands of Scotland, to the red cliffs of St George, Utah – mark your calendars for REDSTONE – Highland Games & Festival April 8th – 9th 2022!
Great Scott Highland Games
April 30
The Great Scots Highlander is an event featuring the Celtic Highland games and are in support of local charities.
Highlander Assault Obstacle Race
May 14
Highlander Assault was born in 2017 as an alternative to the big box obstacle races and mud runs who have saturated the industry with high prices and cookie cutter obstacles. The Highlander Team set out for something new and ever evolving.
Grand Valley Highland Games
May 14 – 15
3rd annueal Grand Valley Highland Games.
Port City Highland Games
May 14
Pipes, bands, heavy athletics, dancing, food, beer, merchandise, clans, societies and more! Check out the Facebook event page here.
Black And White Days Highland Games
May 21
Utah Heavy Athletics (UHA) was organized to support community diversity, heritage awareness, good sportsmanship and healthy living through participation in Heavy Athletics throughout the state of Utah, specifically Strongman and Highland Games competitions.
Pikes Peak Charity Games
May 28
In it’s fourth year, the Pike’s Peak Charity Games is a Highland Games competition that doubles as a fundraiser for the Wounded Warrior Project.
No Fame Games
May 28
Valhalla awaits you in Milford, MA for this year’s No Fame Games.
Classes: Open Women’s, Open Men’s, Master’s Women’s, Master’s Mens, Lightweight Men’s
Rio Grande Valley Celtic Festival
June 4-5
The Rio Grande Valley Celtic Festival, New Mexico’s oldest Celtic Festival and Scottish Highland Games.
FitCon – Utah’s Strongest Man
June 4-5
First Event will be Friday evening in conjunction with Day of the Dead. Start time will be 4pm.
Cheyenne Highland Games
June 11-12
Don’t miss the 17th Annual Cheyenne Celtic Festival – June 11,12 2022 at Lions Park – Dunbar Softball Field 408 S. lions Park Dr. Click here to register
Utah Scottish Festival
June 11-12
The largest Scottish Festival in Utah. Come immerse yourself in the Scottish culture during this 3 day festival.
Cortez Celtic Fair
June 25
The Cortez Celtic Fair will host a Highland Games competition, Highland Dance competition, Celtic bands, Clan tents, an animal exhibit, and kids activities.
Payson Scottish Festival,
July 8 – 9
One of the best Festivals, and Payson City’s largest annual event. Come see Strongman and Highland Games athletes battle it out while you sit in the shade of the large trees.
Elizabeth Celtic Festival
July 16-17
Join us for some authentic Scottish food, Irish whiskey ice cream, great beers & ales, fantastic local Celtic music, dance, piping, Scottish Heavy Athletics, local artisans, merchants, Living History Reenactments, and find your family clan!
Utah Highland Fling
August 5-6
A festival put on by Highland City, UT, culminating with the Strongman Competition and the Scottish Highland Games.
Colorado Scottish Festival
August 5-7
The Colorado Scottish Festival in Snowmass Village, Colorado, celebrates Scottish heritage and culture with activities and traditions of yore.
THE KILT’S A GIVEN. BUT WHAT ELSE TO WEAR?
Complete your Highland Games look with accessories to match your tartan and make the ultimate Celtic statement.
Kilt Hose
Whether you’re competing or milling about the grounds, keep your shins cool and dry with a Scottish version of a sock.
Flashes
Fancy up your kilt hose cuffs with these tartan “flags” or “tassles” that poke out and say “I really put some thought into this whole get-up today” They also have the practical benefit of holding your kilt hose in place.
Sporran
You’re going to have your hands full carrying around food, drink, or heavy stones and stumps. A tasteful (or more ornate) sporran is the perfect pouch to hold your pocket-sized items.
T-Shirts
Send a message and rep Sport Kilt on your upper half with a T-shirt that will turn heads and be the envy of lads and lasses at the festival!
Performance Undershorts
Don’t let a fear of slipping out keep you from jumping high or dancing hard. Wrap your kilt around these undershorts and play without restriction.