Highland games are becoming more and more popular across the United States, and if you’re planning to attend one you don’t have to fret about what to wear. The kilt is the perfect thing to sport when you head out to enjoy a day at the games due to the long tradition that the kilt has in Scottish culture. This guide will tell you everything you need to know about choosing Highland Games Kilt.

What are Highland Games?

Highland Games are festivals that originated in Scotland during ancient times. Typically held in the spring or summer, the events include demonstrations of bagpiping, drumming and Scottish dance and athletic competitions.

Participants in the sporting events toss long poles known as capers, stones, hammers, weights, sheafs and other objects to show off their physical prowess. Parades may be held, and there are usually vendors selling merchandise, food, and drinks.

Shinty​​

Shinty is a team sport that, more than most other events, requires a solid, well-planned effort by all members of the teams to succeed. 

The Ba’ Game​

Similar to football, Ba’ is a football game that is played on the streets and is typically observed on New Year’s Day, Christmas Day and most other festive seasons. It is played throughout the entire town, and in Orkney, it starts on Broad Street with the goal post on the other side of town. 

Stone Skimming​​

Though it is played by children at lakes, stone skimming is actually a wildly loved and highly anticipated event at any Highland games. It requires a combination of aim, precision, and skill, and there is even a World Stone Skimming Championship each year on Easdale Island.

Highland Dancing

Sports competitions are not the only events at Highland Games. Highlands Dancing takes place during these events, and it requires a great deal of skill, poise, stamina, and rhythm.

Caber Toss​

The Caber Toss is perhaps the most famous of these games. It is a show of strength where participants launch a massive, heavy wooden post with the goal not of sending it the furthest but by lining it up at the right angle.

Porridge Making​​

Porridge making in itself is considered a sport at Highland Games because of the skill it takes to create the perfect batch. You can go around tasting all of the different porridges that the participants create at these games.

Choosing a Kilt for Highland Games

Men who participate and volunteer at highland games will usually wear Kilts that represent their Celtic heritage, and many attendees choose to wear them, too. When you’re considering kilts for highland games, think about it.

Your Sense of Style

Do you like something classic? If so, a plaid kilt is definitely the way to go and will have you matching the other gentlemen at the highland games. Want something a little simpler? A Utility Kilt in a solid color may be more for you. Like to stand out in a crowd? A Leather Kilt, Denim Kilt or printed kilt will have you attracting attention!

What to be Wear with a Kilt 

Just like pants, kilts usually have storage built in to help you carry your essentials. Sporrans or removable pouches are mini purses worn at the front of a kilt for carrying items. They usually give a kilt a more classic look. Contemporary Kilts often feature pockets like pants. You can find kilts with just a couple pockets or with deep cargo pockets and loops for holding tools. 

Before you start shopping for a kilt, it is a good idea to figure out what you might want to bring to the games, so that you can make sure you choose a kilt with the right amount of pockets or the right size sporran. Want some help selecting the perfect kilt for a highland game? We’ll be glad to assist you. At Scottish Kilt Shop, we have dozens of different kilt designs available to suit your needs and your tastes, and everything that we carry is made to measure to ensure that you’ll look your best at the event. AskHere!