Highland Games and Bagpipes

Perhaps if you could let us know when you intend travelling we might point you in the right direction. If you're travelling in August then there is no need to venture outside Glasgow to hear all the pipes you could handle. World Pipe Band Championships are held in Glasgow Green usually midmonth.

I don't think it is just one set of highland games. I believe that they are held in various places throughout Scotland during the summer.

>>Where is the best place to hear bagpipes?<<

From about half a mile away (boomtish!).

If that is they are the standard military band issue. Small pipes are a much nicer sound, in my view; I'm more familiar with the Northumbrian pipes (look up Kathryn Tickell on Youtube).

Back to the OP: here's the official calendar for 2010:

http://www.shga.co.uk/visitor-events.php

"How difficult would it be to get to the Highland Games by public transportation from Glasgow? . . . . Does anyone know the exact dates for 2010?
"

There are LOTS of different highland games. Any particular one(s) you had in mind? Or, what dates are you in Glasgow? Also, are you visiting any other parts of Scotland -- games are held all over the place.

From your other thread, you're planning to come in September, in which case all the planned games are the other side of Scotland. It looks as though the nearest would be Pitlochry on the 11th, but I have no idea about public transport options to get there.

Thanks, Patrick -you know me so well. I am trying to make definite dates. Right now it looks like the beginning of September. I feel kind of stupid about the Highland Games but you have directed my research.

I was posting the same time as Patrick -- since you are going in Sept . . . On your other thread I suggested using a few days to stay somewhere outside of Glasgow/Edinburgh. This is where Pitlochry fits. If the dates match, you could take the train and see the games and some of the highland countryside.

And now I was posting the same time as you

Looks like you can get a bus from Glasgow to Pitlochry in about 2 hours or by the train to Inverness in about 1hr30.

www.transportdirect.info

Pitlochry is a very pleasant place to stay at any time. It is full of tourists, but they aren't American tourists, so they are a bit exotic.

In summer, they have a good repertory theatre, usually doing about five plays in turn. Don't know if they are still going in Sept.

Yes - The Pitlochry Festival Theatre runs all summer and finishes up in early October.

You can find the Games listed here:-

http://www.albagames.co.uk/Highland_games2000.htm#SEPTEMBER GAMES.

The early September Games are:-

THE BRAEMAR GATHERING Saturday 4th September 2010

BLAIRGOWRIE HIGHLAND GAMES Sunday 5th September 2010

PITLOCHRY HIGHLAND GAMES Saturday 11th September 2010

PEEBLES HIGHLAND GAMES Sunday 12th September 2010

INVERCHARRON HIGHLAND GAMES Saturday 18th September 2010

Now, you could do any of them by public transport. Peebles is probably closest, and Pitlochry is probably easiest. Braemar is probably biggest and has the added "attraction" of the the Queen. Blairgowrie is probably the couthiest.

My niece will be piping at Pitlochry

Wow! Thanks for all your help. I am going to try to fit Pitlochry in.

PatrickLondon

We have made definite plans now. We will be in Glasgow Aug.18th and 19th, Inverness August 20 and 21 and Edinbough on Aug 22, 23 24.

There is a Highland Game in Helmsdale on the 21st, Grantown on Spey on the 22nd and Crieff on the 22nd. I went on the national rail link and I found a train from Inverness to Helmsdale but cannot find any route from Inverness to Grantown on Spey or Crieff. Is there a site where you can put where you want to go from and where to and find a bus?

http://www.travelinescotland.com/welcome.do

Inverness/Helmsdale takes more than 2.5 hours each way on the train. 5 hours of travel time is a LOT.

"I went on the national rail link and I found a train from Inverness to Helmsdale but cannot find any route from Inverness to Grantown on Spey or Crieff.

Simple reason -- there is no rail service to either town.

Logistically, I don't think either games will work into your plans.

Here is info about bus service to Crieff

http://tinyurl.com/y2vdt3w

Not sure about Grantown-on-Spey - you'd probably have to travel via Aviemore or Carrbridge.