What would you like to do?
In This Section:
Highlights on the day:
Chieftains' Parade
From Balbardie Hotel to Meadow Park, beginning at 10.30am lead by Torphichen & Bathgate Pipe Band.
Massed Bands
Prizegiving begins at 4.30pm in main arena, then bands parade through the streets, finishing around Marjoribanks Street.
Visit the games
The next Bathgate & West Lothian Highland Games takes place on Saturday 30 May 2009, beginning 11am in Meadow Park, Bathgate. Click here for directions on how to find us.
A great day out for all the family...since 1973
Bathgate & West Lothian Highland Games takes place on the last Saturday in May in Bathgate's Meadow Park and has done so since 1973. Click here to read our history.
We are proud to host highland dancing, solo piping, pipe band and heavy athletics competitions, as well as offering a great family day out with lots to do for both young and old.
What's on:
Heavy Athletics Contest
Highland Gatherings or Games of today uphold an old tradition dating back centuries. The first athletics contests were held under the sponsorship of the Kings or Clan Chieftains who used them to recruit staff for many duties. Bathgate's Heavy Athletics competition is by invitation only and includes the North versus the South team challenge. Our events include putting the shot, putting the stane, throwing the 28lb weight for distance, throwing the 16lb Scots hammer, throwing the 56lb weight and tossing the caber.
Click here for more details.
Highland Dancing
Our highland dancing competition incorporates fling, highland laddie, swords, special fling, sean triubhas, hullachan reel, pas de bas, special barracks johnnie and pas de bas high cuts as well as a prize for the best dressed dancer. The competition is regulated by the Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing (SOBHD Registration Number: AA2)
Click here for more details.
And for the kids...
In 2003, we set up a 'Youth Forum' to modernise the games and make them more appealing for children, young people and families. Each year, they hold many events in the build up to the games including a ceilidh and schools poster competition and on games day their Youth Marquee is always popular. Events for kids and families include free craft workshops, magic shows, face painting, games and balloon modelling to name but a few.
For more information, visit: www.bhgyouth.co.uk
Pipe Band Contest
This pipe band contest started in 1972, one year before the Highland Games started. During our history we have held the several British Championships and the European Championship. Our present pipe band contest is still well supported we can have as many as eighty bands playing in grades NJ, 4, 3, 2 and 1. Our pipe band contest is supported by the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Lothian and Borders Branch who supply the judges and make up the results of the various grades.
Click here for more details.
Solo Piping Contest
The solo piping competition has been running as long as the games themselves. Some well known pipers have competed at the games: Gordon Walker and Alistair Gillies to name but two. Many talented young people have also come through the ranks, such as Clare Lynas and Chris Armstrong. This is a very popular event, often with too many pipers applying.
Click here to enter.
Golden Lions Scottish Infantry Parachute Display Team
We are proud to announce that the Golden Lions Scottish Infantry Parachute Display Team will be performing at the opening of the games. There will be many other armed forces displays including recruitment stands and a climbing wall. More details will follow in due course.
Drum Majors' Contest
Incorporated in our pipe band championship is our drum majors contest, which is also well attended. The competition is divided into two sections: adult and juvenile. Just as with the pipe bands, the drum majors contest is supported by the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Lothian and Borders Branch who judge the competition. At the 2008 games, we added a novelty competition: throwing the mace over the heavies bar for height. This was warmly appreciated by both competitors and spectators alike.
Click here for more details.
Cairnpapple Hill Race
Our Cairnpapple Hill Race is run from the field to the top of Cairnpapple Hill and back. The race always proves very popular, with the number of entries rising each year. Times to run the race have varied from half an hour up to almost two hours! The race is supported by the Scottish Veterans Harriers Club and has prizes in open and veteran categories.
Click here for map of route.
BHG Youth
Events for kids
BHG Youth put on lots for kids to do at the games: face painting, craft workshops, magic shows, colouring in, treasure hunts, games...and lots more. Even better...it's all FREE!