Catherine McKinley
The famous Royal Braemar Gathering, is the final, and premier, event of the Grampian Highlands Games. Always held on the first Saturday in September, Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, is the Chieftan. The Royal connection with the festival first occurred in the 11th century when King Malcolm Canmore visited Braemar and handed out the prize to the winner of the (then) main event which was a race to the top of Craig Choinnich (below right).
Much later, Queen Victoria (above) ensured the success of the games into modern times by attending them in 1848. The Royal Family has been, officially, connected with them ever since.
The Royal Braemar Gathering started in the 11th century. Unlike today, when the emphasis is on dancing and piping as well as feats of strengths (caber toss, hammer throw, tug of war) the original focus was on hunting and feasting along with feats of “skill & strength” (straw sheaf bundle toss, sledge hammer, best runner). It was the hunting aspect that is the reason they were held in Autumn. That is when the deer were fat. While hunting is no longer a main part of the Braemar Gathering, it is still held in early Autumn (1st Saturday in September.)
