The Lochcarron Highland Games, affectionately nicknamed “The Friendly Games” is held in Wester Ross in the north-west Highlands, on the third weekend of July every year. It is a traditional Games that welcomes not only Heavies to compete but also hosts a variety of athletics events, light events and children’s competitions for visitors and locals to take part in. Held at the Attadale Estate, with space provided free of charge, the Games is a member of the Royal Scottish Highland Games Association and a key event in Lochcarron’s fundraising calendar.
The Games receive no public funding and must cover all expenses through fundraising and donations. As such, local businesses are relied upon for material assistance to run the Games by providing invaluable support, time and resources. Year on year, the Games depend on volunteers to staff events to enable the Games to run smoothly. For example, DMK Motors runs a minibus service to and from the Games field for visitors travelling from Lochcarron and Strathcarron for a small passenger fee. Jewsons Broadford provides the sand to fill the long jump pit, Lochcarron Weavers supply decorative tartan for stalls and tents, Lochcarron Food Centre donates provisions and fuel, and Strathcarron Brewery equips the bar with kegs and pumps, and many more sponsors assist in various ways.
Now in its 44th year, the Lochcarron Highland Games has become a popular and essential event for fundraising for community groups, organisations and charities working in the area. By keeping costs to a minimum, being 100% organised and staffed by volunteers and receiving a high level of local sponsorship, the bulk of the monies raised are donated to local organisations. Organisations range from the Kishorn Community trust, Kintail Mountain Rescue, Lochcarron Village Hall and Lochcarron Primary School to Macmillan Cancer Support and several village residents. Since 2004, over £55,000 has been awarded to various local associations.
The Games hold international significance too as a meeting point of Clan Matheson, first in 2014 and then in 2024. As Lochalsh is the ancestral home of the Mathesons, the Lochcarron Highland Games are a perfect location to enable international cousins to meet, compete and celebrate with one another.
The Games provide a space for showcasing local trades and food, and socialising in a remote part of the Highlands. Owing to this, free entrance to Attadale Gardens during the Games is also provided by the estate. Stalls range from woodturning, weaving and jewelry to food and drink and a children’s area. There is a fantastic selection of food from local providers, such as homemade cakes and bakes, responsibly sourced coffee and the area’s signature dish: Seafood. By exhibiting the local crafts and delicacies, the Games has bolstered local tourism and demand for the specialty products the area offers, allowing community resilience and continued habitation in the area.
A Games programme is produced in print to provide full information on the day and is distributed free of charge locally in the weeks before the Games as well as being given out to visitors as they arrive. To ensure the event is sustainable, adults of all ages pay £10 to enter while children under 16 go free.