The 2026 games will take place on Saturday 11 July.  A full programme of junior and open competitions are scheduled.

Highland Games - general information: -
Details of the competitions and prizes on offer are available below and under the sub-page 'Inverness Prize Money'.

The Highland Games are run by Highland Council, with Inverness Piping Society organising the piping competitions.  The Games commence at 11.00am. The Games organisers allow entry for competitors from 10.30am.  It is likely the junior piping competitions will be held first, followed by open competitions, however we would kindly request all competitors to register at the piping stewards' tent promptly from 10.30am.  Please allow plenty time to park and gain entry to the ground.

The bulk of prizes will be awarded at the close of the open competitions, though junior prizes may be awarded earlier.  The Council and Games organisers prefer that the overall champions receive their prize from the Games Chieftain at the main arena.  The open Champion may be requested to play a tune at the main stand.

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Important information

The Junior Piping Competitions consist of :
  1. under 15 March Competition - competitors play one 4-part 2/4 March of their own choice in front of an adjudicator.
  2. under 18 MSR Competition - competitors play a four part 2/4 March, four part Strathspey & four part Reel set of their own choice with no breaks between tunes (straight through). This is judged as one competition.
  3. A Piobaireachd competition whereby competitors submit one Piobaireachd of their own choice to be played in front of an adjudicator.
The Senior Piping Competitions consist of :
  1. March, Strathspey & Reel Competition whereby competitiors submit for selection by the adjudicators three Marches, three Strathspeys and one Reel.  The chosen set is played straight through.  This is judged as one competition.
  2. Piobaireachd Competition whereby competitors submit three Piobaireachd for selection by the adjudicators.
  3. Hornpipe & Jig Competition in which competitors play to the adjudicators their own choice of tunes, one of each.  This is judged as one competition.