AD | Atholl Highlanders Spectacular Parade & Gathering Set for Return at Blair Castle 23-24 May 2026
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The annual Atholl Highlanders Parade & Gathering, a weekend long community event, offering colour, spectacle, and pageantry, together with traditional Highland Games competition, stalls and family races, all of which takes place in the spectacular grounds of Blair Castle, will this year happen on Saturday 23rd, and Sunday 24th of May.
The event attracts people from far and wide, many with a connection to the castle, the estate, or to the Murray Clan.
Kicking off at 11am on Saturday 23rd May in Blair Castle Ballroom, an informative, ticketed talk (costing £5 per adult) will take place on the history of the Atholl Highlanders, with CSM Garry Brailsford, together with Castle Archivist, Keren Guthrie. Their joint expertise will see lots of insight into the role and place of the Highlanders in the castle’s history, over the centuries, passed on to interested parties.
At 2.30pm, the Atholl Highlanders will muster at Blair Castle, their ancestral home. Marching under the command of RSM Graham Jack and Major Aubyn Stewart-Wilson, the officers will fall in, before an official inspection by general Sir Patrick Sanders KCB CBE DSO. Following the Atholl Highlanders arriving on parade, a general salute of field gun fire will take place, before the Parade Commander orders the Colours to be marched on. The parade will finish with music from the Highlander’s Pipe Band, a march past & salute to the inspecting officer, and the presentation of Juniper, Awards and Trophies by The Marquis of Tullibardine.
Such is the enduring appeal of this event, a large audience of both local people, together with visitors from all over the world, is expected at the castle to witness proceedings.
Sunday’s Atholl Gathering and Highland Games, formally opened by Michael Murray, Marquis of Tullibardine, kicks off with the impressive local heavyweights competition, followed by piping and Highland dancing competitions, and an open heavyweights competition. All the usual elements of a vibrant Highland Games are included, such as the light hammer, the shot put, the caber farmer’s walk, and wrestling. Local people can join in with the family races, dancing, and tug ‘o’ war, whilst the Highlanders will take part in their own “dash”.
A piping competition additionally takes place, to identify the best pipers from all over Scotland, and beyond. To take part, simply fill in an online form at https://atholl-estates.co.uk/events/atholl-gathering/
To make sure everyone is fed and watered, local food and drink vendors will man stalls, offering their delicious wares. A series of other trade stands can also be visited.
“Full details of our Parade & Gathering are available online, where the full itinerary can be downloaded, so that visitors can plan what to see and do accordingly,” said Jess Reid, Marketing Manager for Blair Castle & Atholl Estates.
“A weekend long spectacle, which is fun and engaging in so many ways, it’s one of the most popular and eagerly anticipated events we stage,” she said. “The tradition and pageantry will never change, but it’s also fun for the whole family.”
“If you love to watch Highland Games, you really can’t beat the physicality,” added Jess. “For those taking part, it’s a huge test of both physical and mental fitness. The piping contest always attracts some of the very finest pipers from all over the country. They take real pride in what they do.”
Jess finished by saying: “We look forward to welcoming as many people as possible to our beautiful castle. The grounds, playground, restaurant and gift shop can be accessed with a parade or gathering ticket so visitors can really make a day of it. It really doesn't get better than this weekend when the whole castle, together with its incredible heritage, is in the spotlight.”
For further details, specific timings, and prices, please visit https://atholl-estates.co.uk/events/atholl-gathering/. Ticket prices from just £5.
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