163 days until Games Day

Highland Games

Fun & games for all ages

Location

Dundonald Ayrshire KA29HD

Date

Saturday 2nd August 2025

Saturday 2nd August 2025

Dundonald Highland Games is one of Ayrshire’s premier cultural events. It is unique in capturing traditional Scottish heritage and strong community spirit within the picturesque setting of Royal Dundonald Castle. Admission to the Games is completely free and offers a whole range of entertainment and activities.

The festivities begin at 11.30am with the Children’s Fancy Dress competition at the Montgomerie Hall followed by the Street Procession through the centre of the village to the Playing Fields. At 12.30pm, during the Opening Ceremony watch the coronation of the Games Queen and the Chieftain’s Address.

Throughout the day the Piping Arena is home to the RSPBA Pipe Band and Drum Major contests where highly skilled local, regional and international bands compete from Grades 1 to 4. Elsewhere, the Solo Piping and RSOBHD Highland Dancing stages will showcase some of the finest Scottish and global talent. The Events Arena will provide a range of alternative entertainment including our burly Scots competing at the Heavy Events. Royal Dundonald Castle and the Visitor Centre is open all day and the castle will also provide a magnificent background for the Solo Lament during the Prize Giving and Closing Ceremony.

Visit the Stalls & Craft Fayre where you will find a fantastic blend of commercial stalls and local clubs and organisations from throughout the village.

Later on why not enter our popular Open Events competition which is free for members of the public to join in a variety of fun games and activities. Then watch the locals battle it out during the Tug-o-war and marvel in awe as the Massed Pipe Bands Parade marches through the village from the War Memorial.

Finally, round the day off by following a well-respected local tradition and drink a toast to the Chieftain in the local pub and continue the festivities in good company.

We hope you enjoy our Highland Games and all the events and activities held during Dundonald Games Week.

Haste ye back!

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Dundonald Highland Games Schedule

Window Art Competition

Friday 25th July to Friday 1st August Help transform Dundonald into an outdoor gallery! Pre-entry by 25th July 2025, art to be installed from 25th July with judging taking place around the 1st August, but please leave your art up until after the Games. Link to entry form coming soon

Scarecrow Competition

Before 31st July Get creative and build a scarecrow in your garden! Pre-entry is required by Monday 28th July 2025. Your scarecrow should be given a name and be in position and visible from the road on Thursday 31st July when judging will take place. Link to entry form coming soon    

Family Fun Day

Sunday 27th July, 1-3pm Dundonald Castle This year to kick off Games Week, Friends of Dundonald Castle will be hosting a fun and interactive event for all our young history and archaeology enthusiasts! Come along to this free event and take part in a variety of hands-on experiences, artefact handling, short castle tours and more! There’s also plenty of space for a family picnic and you can top these up with a great food and drink selection in the visitor centre. No tickets needed, just pop along on the day!  

Car Treasure Hunt

Monday 28th July, 6-7pm Make up a team of family and friends and explore and solve clues that will take you on a local adventure. Register at Dundonald Primary School car park between 6pm and 7pm.

Walking Treasure Hunt

Tuesday 29th July, 7pm - 9pm Starts at Dundonald Castle Visitors Centre with the route taking you on foot around the village to solve the clues around a secret path. Walking distance is approx two miles. Register at Dundonald Castle and Visitors Centre at 7pm. Free Entry

Pet Show

Wednesday 30th July, 7pm - 8.30pm Dundonald Playing Field - Proudly sponsored by Dundonald House Care Home The Pet Show is on Wednesday 30th July at 7:00pm at the Playing Fields below Dundonald Castle (registration from 6:30pm). There are various entry classes for all the local talent from the animal kingdom. Classes are as follows:
  • Best small furry animal
  • Best puppy (3 months-1 year)
  • Best Adult dog (2-6 years)
  • Best Veteran (7 years and older)
  • Best Rescue dog
  • Fancy dress
Rosettes 1st - 6th place Best in Show - first in classes 1-6 All pets and owners receive a certificate of entry. Entry: Entry is free and made at the event.

10K

Wednesday 30th July 6:30pm registration with race start at 7:30pm The 10K Race is proudly sponsered by SBF Next Level Gym & Bootcamp. Registration from 6.30pm at Dundonald Activity Centre The Race starts at Drybridge Road, Dundonald, and finishes at Dundonald Castle. Dundonald 10k is a well-attended road race which is organised by Dundonald Games Society. Pre-entry only via Entry Central - entry link coming soon

Kids Fun Run

Wednesday 30th July. Registration is at 6pm, with the first race starting at 6:15pm The Kids’ Fun Run is on Wednesday 30th July 2024 from 6:15pm in the Playing Fields below Dundonald Castle (registration on field from 6pm). Primary 3 to secondary run out playing field and around Kilnford estate. From Toddlers to Teens the Fun Run is open to kids of all ages. Categories are:
  • Primary 7 and Secondary (out of field)
  • Primary 5 and 6 (out of field)
  • Primary 3 and 4 (out of field)
  • Primary 1 and 2 (flat race in field)
  • Nursery (flat race in field)
Entry is free and registration made at the event.

Over 16’s Football Competition

Thursday 31st July 6:30-9pm 7 a-side Football Tournament - Dundonald Playing Field, Winehouse Yett, Dundonald, KA2 9HD Open to anyone aged 16+. Entry is £10 per team, and pre-registration is required. A cash prize of £100* is awarded to the winning team. All Teams must pre-register - entry link coming soon *The amount awarded is subject to change depending on entries received.

Fancy Dress Competition

Saturday 2nd August 11:30am Fancy dress competition takes place on Saturday morning at the Montgomerie Hall, Main Street. Age categories for this competition are:
  • 0-2 years
  • 3-4 years
  • 5, 6 and 7 years
  • 8 years and above
  • Groups
Free entry on the day.

Dundonald Games Day

Saturday 2nd August, 12noon Games day starts with a parade down our Main Street to Dundonald Playing Field, at the end of Games Day there is a massed pipe band display in the field, followed by a parade back up the Main Street.
  • RSPBA Pipeband competition 
  • RSPBA Solo Piping competition
  • RSOBHD Highland Dancing competition
  • Stalls
  • Events
  • And so much more….

Event Sponsors

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AGM REMINDERA warm invitation is open to EVERYONE to attend our Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 25th February at the Caste Visitors Centre (7pm start)If you're interested in volunteering or finding out a little bit more about what's involved in organising our Games then come along and chat to some of the committee members. This is a great opportunity to give feedback and perhaps get more involved. ... See MoreSee Less
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🦺 Volunteer Appeal 🦺Volunteers are the lifeblood of Dundonald Highland Games and we are always looking for helpers to help with the year round coordination of the Games itself. Can you spare a couple of hours every month? If you're interested then please get in touch via email : info@dundonald-games.org.uk or drop us a comment/DM here. ... See MoreSee Less
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DUNDONALD GAMES SOCIETY AGM NOTICELOCATION: DUNDONALD CASTLE VISITORS CENTREDATE: TUESDAY 25TH FEBRUARYTIME: 7PMEVERYONE WELCOME!!!! ... See MoreSee Less
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Event Location

Dundonald Playing Fields
Winehouse Yett
Dundonald
Ayrshire
KA2 9HD