8 The first Aberdeen Highland Games were held in the year 2000 on the 1st July – also National Tartan Day - and it has gone from strength to strength since. Highland Games Vice President Charles Cook OAM and the 2025 Honorary Chieftain said he can’t believe how big the event has become. “It’s been amazing, when we started there was virtually nothing to the event and it’s just built up over the years. We didn’t ever expect it to grow like this. I expected it to be a one off, but it has blossomed. People know about it, I don’t know how the words gets around but it certainly does!” Charles became a foundation member of the Scone RSL Pipes and Drums in 1996 that eventually led to the establishment of the Aberdeen Highland Games. He was recognised by the Committee in 2025 as the Honorary Chieftain, something else he never expected. “It wasn’t something I ever really sought. I have been organising the Chiefs for the last 25 years and I think the committee decided that I had perhaps overlooked myself,” he said with a smile. The event is only a day, and the organisers certainly pack the events in. From the Parade and Massed Band, band displays, Highland and Scottish Country Dancing, Australia’s Federation Guard and Kilted Warrior events including the Caber Toss, Sheaf Toss and Stones. There’s plenty of traditional food, you can purchase your own Upper Hunter Tartan merchandise and find out if you have Celtic roots. President of the Aberdeen Highland Games Nicola O’Driscoll has a long history with the event. Her father as the Honorary Chieftain in the early days and Nicola herself had the honour in 2019. “From a person who comes from a family that has been around since the early 1800s, I have Scottish blood and when you arrive at the Highland Games, even if you have just a drop of Celtic blood in you, it’s just so exciting. “It gives the town and the whole Upper Hunter region a boost too. That was part of the reason it started all those years ago in the first place, the abattoir closed as well so the town needed something to lift its spirits,” Nicola explained. “We would love to see even more families attend the event, children under 12 can come in the gates for free and we have events that the kids can get involved in. “The Highland Games are an easy event to get to, something you can tick off in a day, it’s flat and family friendly and it’s central to so many other things you can explore in the Upper Hunter.” The Aberdeen Highland Games are held on the first Saturday of July each year at Jefferson Park in Aberdeen. For tickets and details on the 2026 event head to: www.aberdeenhighlandgames.com Photo credits: Amanda Gaffney-Ray The Aberdeen Highland Games are a staple on the Upper Hunter events calendar. Held each year on the first Saturday in July as the frost falls on the grounds of Jefferson Park, the event celebrates the Celtic roots of the region and Scottish traditions that date back generations. EMERSE YOURSELF IN CELTIC TRADITION ABERDEEN HIGHLAND GAMES
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI3ODI1