Highland Gathering
The Durness Highland Gathering is one of the most spectacular events held in this North West corner of Scotland. The 2024 Gathering will be held on Friday the 26th of July.
Event 2024
£6000 in Prize Money for 2024!
An amazing £6000 in Prize Money
Track, Field, Heavy Events & Tug O'War
Mass Pipe Bands from Sutherland Schools
Ullapool & Tain Pipe bands.
Children's Events
Various Food and Drink Stalls
Vintage Tractor & Vehicle Display
Connell Outdoor Pursuits Archery, Axe Throwing &
Disc Golf.
Tumbles of Fun with Inflatables & Ball Pool
Evening Dance in the Village Hall with Blue Ridge
The event begins at noon with the chosen Chieftains meeting members of the pipe band in the village square before marching on to the Games Field to declare the games open.
Entry to all competitions are free and open to everyone. If you don't wish to compete just come and watch, and maybe meet up with old friends or make new ones.
This is a day not to be missed when touring this beautiful part of the Highlands. We have much to offer in the way of a Scottish Pipe Band, Highland Dancers, Field, Track and Heavy events.
2024 Admission to Ground:
Adults: £8
Senior Citizens: £4
Under 16: £4
Under 5: Free
Car Park: £2.00 * Pay at Gate, Subject to Availability
Evening Dance in the Village Hall: 10pm
Admission £10
BYOB-No Glass.
Our Chieftains
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Durness Highland Gathering Association are delighted to announce Mr and Mrs Donnie and Katie MacDougall will be our joint Chieftains at the 2024 Durness Highland Gathering.
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Donnie moved to Durness in 1979 having previously worked in the
gamekeeping profession and using his musical talents to play in a Scottish dance band. Since moving to Durness Donnie kept up his gamekeeping pursuits in various guises including running the hatchery for Cape Wrath,re-stocking the lochs, and helping run a local clay pigeon group, where he was always willing to coach anyone showing potential. Donnie is a founder member of the very well-known local band “Blue Ridge”, entertaining at many functions across the Highlands and beyond over the years.
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Before Katie moved to Durness she worked as the Community Midwife
for the Braes area of Falkirk. Having always wanted to work in the
Highlands she moved to Durness in 1998 to continue her nursing career, taking up the position of District Nurse/Midwife in the Durness,
Kinlochbervie and Scourie area. During Katie’s nursing career she has
gone above and beyond her duties and provided excellent nursing skills, delivering babies and helping many families and individuals over the years. With her great knowledge and caring nature she was a great asset to medical care in the North West Sutherland area and beyond.
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Donnie and Katie are very well known for their musical talents. Both
talented accordion players, it was this love of music that brought them
together in Durness before they married in 2004. Generous with their
time and keen to pass on their skills, they were both part of a very
successful “Durness Music Group” which was set up to tutor children and adults in the area to learn how to play various musical instruments. Here Donnie and Katie utilised their talents to provide accordion tuition.
Donnie and Katie also became a very popular accordion duo, playing at many local events and occasions in the North West Sutherland area.
Both Donnie and Katie’s families will be joining them on their big day on Friday 26th July 2024.
Our Sponsors
Many thanks as always to our generous sponsors:
SPONSORS
MR I AND MRS M ANDERSON • LOCH CLASH FISH
MR DAVID MORRISON. SANGOBEG INVESTMENTS LTD.
SANGOBEG PROPERTIES LTD • MR WILLIE MORRISON
MATHERS STORES • MARK MANNING
REAY FOREST ESTATE • MR DONALD COTTAGIE MACKAY
MR K & MRS M MACRAE • CAPE WRATH OYSTERS
MR R AND MRS J TUCKER • SMOO CAVE HOTEL
MR S & MRS A MACKINNON • KEOLDALE SHEEPSTOCK CLUB
MR M AND MRS M MACKAY • CAIRN HOUSE ARTS AND CRAFTS MR DONALD MORRISON • SANGO SANDS OASIS
BELLS SEAFOOD • PAUL MACLELLAN PLUMBING & HEATING •SPARKLING STAR UL290 • THE DURNESS BUS LTD
THE ESTATE OF DONALD JAMES • O’BRIEN CONSTRUCTION
RICHARD MACKAY & SONS LTD • MR & MRS MACDOUGALL
WILD ORCHID GUESTHOUSE
How to Reach Us
The Games are held on the field behind R. Mackay & Sons Shop.
Enter the Postcode IV27 4PN into your navigation system, or use CORK.TRINKETS.LUCKIER with what3words to find us.
Limited parking is available at the event, more is available in the village. Please respect private parking areas and be mindful of local residents.
OUR STORY
There can be little doubt that traditional Games of agility and strength have been practised in the Highlands from very early times. The Durness Highland Gathering is a small event with all the trimmings of traditional Scottish Highland Games.