You must be registered with the Scottish Highland Games Association. This can be via there website or on the day (for a one-day entry, only competing at one game in the 2024 session) a payment is required.
Aberdeen Highland Games - Competition FAQs
To enable that the events to run smoothly we have changed the entry process. By pre-entering for your competitions, you will be sent a free competitor entry ticket. You will also be able to access the games through the competitor entry gate.
This will be an e ticket, you must enter the email address on the entry form for this ticket to be sent to. You will be required to register with Eventbrite to redeem the ticket.
Only one ticket will be given per competitor.
Entry to the event with your competitor ticket will now be through the Competitor entry gate and not through the main entry gate.
Competitors under 17 years (Highland Dancing) and under 18 (Solo Piping) will require an adult to accompany them to the event. This adult will require to have their own purchased e-ticket.
Entry to the event with your competitor ticket will now be through the Competitor entry gate and not through the main entry gate.
Only one adult per accompanied under 17 years competitor will be allowed to enter through the Competitors entry gate.
This ticket is a one-use ticket and is specific to the named person on that ticket.
We strongly recommend that you pre-enter before the 2 June. On the day entry will be at the convenors discretion with limited places available and you will be required to pay the event entry fee into the games when the event opens at 10am. There would be no refund if there were no event places available.
Solo Piping
On the day entry will be at the convenors discretion with limited places available and you will be required to play first, you will also be required to pay the event entry fee into the games when the event opens at 10am. There would be no refund if there were no piping places available.
The Lead Judge will advise you of where you can wait or report to.
You should firstly enter via the Competitor entry gate and check-in to the Competitors tent and sign in at your event.
You will then be given up to date information on the event and told when and where to report for the event.
The Lead Judge will advise of the programme and competition order.
Highland Dancing
The Dance Convener will meet all dancers at the dance stages at 12.20pm and advise of dance programme and dancers order of competing.
The first dances should start at 12.30pm unless otherwise advised at check-in or by the Dance Convenor.
The proposed order of dances: Highland Fling, Sword Dance, Shean Truibhais, Highland Reel, Sailors Hornpipe, Irish Jig.
Solo Piping
The Piping Convener will meet all pipers at the side of Check-in tent at 10.30am and advise of the programme and playing order of competing.
You will be given a prize card from the judges, you are required to hand this to the Results team who will be sitting in the results tent inside the arena at the end of the sprint track.
You will be required to sign for each prize payment in the specific box.
You can collect prize money at any time after you have got the prize card.
All prize money is required to be signed for and collected by 5.30pm, otherwise it is deemed to be forfeited by the competitor.
Please adhere to the Association rules (GGA, SHGA).
Competitors must wear a kilt and either a Glenfiddoch vest/t-shirt or a none logo vest/ t-shirt.
The Lead Judge has the right to disqualify if they deem that the costume or footwear is not suitable.
If the weather conditions are not safe to continue, then the events will either be postponed, or the event cancelled. The Lead Judge will advise.
You will be advised at competitor check-in regarding where this will be. The weigh-in is after 12noon, this will be confirmed on the day.
You will be advised at competitor check-in regarding when it is safe to go to practice.
Please note the area designated for practice is in the arena.
It is not acceptable to warm up beside the piping or dance platforms or near the Heavies area, you could be disqualified for doing so.
This is to make sure that competitors don't need to wait too long to get through to check-in for their events.
You will be advised at competitor check-in regarding when it is safe to go to the dance tent area pre-event opening at 10am.
We have a dedicated area for dance changing tents, this has limited space and is on a first come basis. Tents should not be bigger than a three-person tent or 2metres x2 metres, any tents deemed to take up an unacceptable space will be required to be removed.
Once the area has reached capacity no more tents will be allowed to be used at the event.