The Braemar Gathering and Highland Games. This has been an annual event since 1832 and is attended by royalty always. The top athletes from all over Scotland and some from other countries compete in racing, high jumping, caber tossing, hammer throwing, weight tossing, tug of war, and Highland dancing. It is done with lots of pomp and ceremony by bands and famous people.

The pipe and drum marching bands begin their march around the arena at the beginning of the games.

This official posed for me. When I asked him he answered "If I must".

Racing wearing kilts! So Scottish.

Tossing the caber. It had to go end over end and land as close to "12 oclock" as possible. This man was from California and won.

Pipe and Drum marching band from the Isle of Skye. I put this one on for Rob who traveled with us to the Isle of Skye in 1997.

One of the officials greeting spectators. There were many older gentlemen dressed similarly in the old Scottish tradition.

Carrying in the huge rope for the tug of war.

Caber tossers, hammer throwers, weight throwers were all in their kilts for the entire competition.

This group of marathon runners ran up a high hill, more like a small mountain and back in less than 24 minutes. There were about 4 men who looked to be over 60 in the race.

The Queen of England

The Queen of England entering the special viewing house. She is in the salmon coat. She comes every year and hands out the first place trophies at the end of the games.