HISTORY
Lesmahagow Highland Games has taken place every year since 1960 and is now the last remaining Highland Games in Lanarkshire. Each June the village comes together for a full day of traditional competition, ceremony, music and family entertainment.
a tradition since 1960
Lesmahagow Highland Games was founded in 1960 and has been held on the third Saturday of June ever since. Today it is the last Highland Games still taking place in Lanarkshire.
Over the decades the Games has evolved from a small local gathering into a full day of competition, ceremony and entertainment. While the events and attractions have grown, the purpose of the day remains the same, bringing the village and welcomed guests together to celebrate community, sport and Scottish tradition.
Many families in the village have been connected to the Games for generations, whether through competing, volunteering, as a Tartan Queen, taking part in the parade or serving on the organising committee.
THE CHIEFTAIN'S PROCESSION
One of the most anticipated traditions of the Lesmahagow Highland Games is the Chieftain’s Procession, which takes place through the village on the morning of Games Day.
Beginning on Main Street at 11:30am, the procession marks the ceremonial opening of the day’s celebrations. Pipe bands, decorated floats, community groups, parade through the village in fancy dress, creating a lively and colourful spectacle for spectators lining the streets.
At the heart of the procession are the Games Chieftain, the Tartan Queen, and her Court, who lead the parade as it makes its way towards The Glebe Park, where the Highland Games take place.
For many visitors, the procession is the first opportunity to experience the atmosphere of the Games. The sound of the pipes, the gathering crowds and the sense of community pride signal the start of a day that celebrates local tradition, sport and culture.
The procession concludes at the park shortly before the Games officially begin at 12 noon, when the Chieftain formally opens the event and the competitions get underway.
the court
One of the most recognisable traditions of Lesmahagow Highland Games is the Court, which sits at the ceremonial heart of the event. Each year a Tartan Queen is chosen to represent the Games, accompanied by her Court of Princesses and Clansmen.
The Tartan Queen and her Court are selected at an annual event for young people in the village. Those chosen are recognised as individuals who show the qualities expected of good representatives of the Highland Games and the community of Lesmahagow. It is a tradition that many local families have taken part in over the years, and being selected as part of the Court is a moment of pride for those involved.
Alongside the Court, the Highland Games committee appoints a Chieftain each year. The Chieftain is chosen as someone who has made a significant contribution to the village or wider community, often through outstanding achievement, charitable work, public service, or long-standing dedication to local life.
On Games Day, the Chieftain, Tartan Queen and her Court lead the Chieftain’s Procession through the village, accompanied by pipe bands, floats and community groups. The procession makes its way along the Main Street before arriving at Glebe Park, where the formal opening of the Highland Games takes place.
This ceremony has been part of the Games since the early years of the event in the 1960s and remains one of the most anticipated elements of the day.
competitions
Competition has always been at the heart of Lesmahagow Highland Games. Visitors to the park will find many of the traditional events associated with Highland Games across Scotland.
The Heavyweight Contest is a highlight of the day, where athletes compete in classic strength events such as caber tossing, hammer throwing and other tests of power and technique.
Alongside the heavyweight events, the Games also hosts a wide range of performances and competitions including Highland dancing, Scottish back-hold wrestling, and appearances from pipe bands that bring music and atmosphere to the arena throughout the afternoon.
Younger competitors also play an important part in the programme. Junior athletics, dance performances, gymnastics, acrobatics and cheer dancing all give local young people the opportunity to take part in the Games.
In recent years, the village has also enjoyed taking part in the funny scarecrow competition.
Together these competitions create the lively mix of sport, performance and community participation that defines the Highland Games experience.
Community and volunteers
Lesmahagow Highland Games has always been a community effort. Behind the scenes, a dedicated committee works throughout the year to organise the event and ensure the tradition continues for future generations.
On Games Day, many more people from the village step forward to help. Stewards, bar staff, stallholders and volunteers all play a role in making sure the day runs smoothly and safely for everyone attending.
From setting up the park in the morning to welcoming visitors throughout the afternoon, the Games relies on the time, energy and goodwill of the local community. It is this shared effort that helps keep Lesmahagow Highland Games such a special and enduring event.
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