Kirkcaldy 4 All - Beach Highland Games

Kirkcaldy Waterfront Beach Highland Games 2015 - photographs

Kirkcaldy Beach Highland Games Programme 2015

Kirkcaldy Waterfront Beach Highland Games 2015

Featuring a unique combination of culture, sport and social entertainment from heavy athletics to Highland dance, Highland Games are a must for any visitor to Scotland. But how many are held on a Scottish beach? The answer to that is none.

Kirkcaldy’s Waterfront is set to present the very first Beach Highland Games in Scotland on Saturday 15^th August, hosted by the local BID Company, Kirkcaldy 4 All. A sight not to be missed! What’s more, the event is free to watch and participate in!

The idea of Kirkcaldy as the location for the first Beach Highland Games has its origins as far back as 30 years ago; when at that time training partners Don Campbell from Lochgelly and Andrew Bowie from Kirkcaldy discussed the possibility during many training sessions on the beach. Then, when 4 years ago the pair met up again, the topic of the “Games” came up - by this time Andrew had established a thriving business in Kirkcaldy and Don had moved into the administration side of the Highland and Border games which covers over 30 games every summer from Braemar to Tobermory via central Scotland /Fife and the Borders.

During their initial conversation, Andrew was able to advise that Kirkcaldy “Prom and Beach” were shortly undergoing a massive upgrade and after that would be the time to highlight the new waterfront complex at its finest. Both the guys spoke early with Kirkcaldy 4 All, who fully embraced the concept!

Don Campbell said ‘Kirkcaldy is the perfect location for a Beach Highland Games with its long sandy waterfront and natural viewing area from the promenade. The only other Highland Games in the world held on a beach are in Australia, so this will be an exciting unique event’

Bill Harvey at Kirkcaldy 4 All added ‘we are delighted that we can host this event in Kirkcaldy and make the most of our recently upgraded Waterfront. Events like the Highland Games are ideal for showcasing Kirkcaldy as a location to visit for entertainment, culture and retail. We would hope that this event becomes a part of our annual events calendar and attracts locals and visitors to enjoy Kirkcaldy’s assets.’

Kirkcaldy Waterfront Beach Highland Games will be unique in two major aspects -

It will be the first ever full highland games on a beach. With a full programme of running, highland dancing, heavies events (which includes tossing the caber), pipe bands and a stunning backdrop second to none!
As the Newest Highland Games in the world, it sits geographically exactly between the two oldest highland games, as this year Ceres Highland Games celebrates its 701^st and Burntisland Highland Games celebrates its 363^rd anniversary!

Highland Games originated in Scotland going back centuries ago when shortly before going into battle the clan chiefs would prepare their men by putting them through feats of strength and fitness and would pick ‘The fleetest of foot’ to be their messengers on the battlefield. The strongest would become their personal bodyguards. From these early beginnings the Highland Games gradually developed into the events Scotland is now famed and admired for all over the world - attracting competitors from around the globe, as well as locals – so why not join in yourself? There will be kids’ races with prizes and the ‘Kilted Dash’ for adults who fancy a wee run in a kilt!

With obvious tide restrictions in mind, the Kirkcaldy Waterfront Beach Highland Games will begin at 10am and finish around 1pm – perfect timing to be able to wander up from the beach to the town centre for a bite of lunch in one of Kirkcaldy’s numerous cafes, restaurants and bars.

The Games are a spectacle like no other set against beautiful Scottish scenery – and in this instance, the beautiful and distinctive Firth of Forth - with colourful dance displays and an exciting atmosphere, make sure Saturday 15^th August is firmly marked in your diary!