This year’s games took place on 17th Aug 2024, and next year’s date is already set for the 16th Aug 2025.
Always one of the largest and most popular amateur gatherings in the North, the Games have been an annual feature on Nairn’s calendar for over 150 years. First held in 1865, the only interruptions have been the World Wars of the 20th century, and the pandemic in 2021/22. Games Day in Nairn is like New Year elsewhere – it is the time and the place to meet up with old friends, catch up with relatives and make new friends.
On the day itself, you will see some Piping and Junior Athletics in the morning. Then comes the March of the Massed Pipe Bands, which leaves Viewfield at 12.30pm and marches down the A96 and into Crescent Road. On their arrival in the arena our special guest and Chieftain, Lord Cawdor performs the opening ceremony. Then the afternoon programme begins at 1pm containing the usual thrilling mix of Track and Field, Piping, Dancing, Heavy Events and the Tug of War.
The ever-popular “Showies” (Fairground rides to those from other places!) are also on the Links for Games Day – and will all be gone the following day, as if by magic! The Games Arena is surrounded by local stalls for charities and businesses. There are also plenty of places to get food and drink around the Links – including the Strathnairn Beach Cafe, James’ at the Putting Green, and the Sun Dancer cafe. You will find every cafe in Nairn busy for breakfast before the games, and every licensed premises in town busy after it. Many families bring picnics and make the day of it, but if you want to eat dinner out, make your bookings early! Nairn family High St businesses have traditionally closed at 12 noon to let their staff enjoy the day.
As far as we know, Nairn is the last remaining free Games in the Highlands – although you can pay to enter the areana and have a ring side seat. It is therefore the generosity of those who feed the buckets that help to make the whole event possible, and the organisers are delighted to say that they have always found Nairn folk & visitors to be deeply generous. An enormously busy and fun day in Nairn!
Find out more on the official games website here. For the latest updates check Facebook, and other Nairn Events can be found here. Enjoy a wee video below which encompasses the wonderful atmosphere of the games, credit to Alexander Williamson