We will be in Scotland the week of July 19th and have 3 teens who would like to attend a Highland Games event. I looked up the schedule and believe it listed Inverness and Tomintoul (sp). Which one on these would you pick, or is there another you would suggest? Unique events are what they would enjoy (some of the ones I looked up seemed to have a lot of regular track events--100m race, etc.).

Sorry about the double post. I really looked after I posted and decided the message must have been too long. Delayed action, I guess!

Tomintoul without question. And, if you can, stay in or around the village.

I have the definitive list bookmarked on my computer at home. If you can give me your dates, I'll check for other options when I get home tonight.

It would definitely need to be that weekend (July 19th). Is Tomintoul a bigger event, or smaller and more fun? Thanks, Sheila!

If we choose the one in Tomintoul, should I try to change my accommodations from Braemar? If, so, any suggestions for nice, affordable place in Tomintoul? Family of 5. . .would like to stay as close to 100 pounds total as possible. Hey, either Fodors deleted my double post or I was hallucinating last night. . .

I agree w/ Sheils - Tomintoul over inverness. I'ness might be larger, but Tomintoul is in glorious countryside and is just a better place to visit.

if you already have a nice place in Braemar, I'd stay with that. It is about 30 miles from Tomintoul and there is a LOT to see nearby (Braemar Castle, Balmoral, the Dee)

Tomintoul will be smaller; but much more fun and more grass-rootsy. It's always nice to be in a community like Tomintoul the night of its big party.

There are 2 OK hotels in Tomintoul- the Gordon Hotel and the Glen Avon Hotel.

Undiscovered Scotland have a good listing for B&Bs

http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.u...uff/guest.html

I have been trying to finish the last post for about an hour and hadn't seen Janis's input.

Braemar, generally, is a nicer place to stay and has more about it than Tomintoul and the choice really would be based on whether or not you like the buzz of a community having a party, or if you would want to escape from it. There'll almost certainly be a Show Dance- great fun for older teens (Can be a bit boisterous, if you know what I mean)

That's a long, if beatiful, 30 miles.

I just spotted your duplicate post 3 pages down

Your options that weekend are

LOCH LOMOND HIGHLAND GAMES
LOCHCARRON HIGHLAND GAMES
ST. RONAN`S BORDER GAMES
TOMINTOUL HIGHLAND GAMES
STONEHAVEN HIGHLAND GAMES
ROSNEATH HIGHLAND GAMES
AIRTH HIGHLAND GAMES

the last 3 are on the Sunday. Stoneheaven might be an option for you? (Still not as good as Tomintoul, but Lochcarron would be the Business!!)

What is a "showdance?" Would it probably be before or after the games in Tomintoul? How boisterous is it? My teens are older, but should I be worried about bringing them to it?

The Show dance is the dance after the show- I don't KNOW about Tomintoul; but these things follow a pattern. Late afternoon, everyone will repair somewhere for supper and a drink; Late evening folks will aim for the dance. The music will be principally Scottish Country dance music and it will go on till the wee sma' hoors.
I've found another web site

http://touler.webspace.fish.co.uk/touler/page25.html

You'll see the dance is at 10.30pm in the village hall. If you have the brass neck, fall in with some of the folk and see if they'll teach you to dance. The people watching will be great even if you don't dance a step.

I appreciate all the time everyone took to post about the Games and dance.