Scotland is known for many things: the high-pitched tune from bagpipes often played at events, the tartan plaid kilts fashionably donned by all genders, the savory haggis dish comprised of the insides of a sheep, Scottish whisky stocked in every bar… and then there’s the Highland Games.
The centuries-old custom involves competitors going head-to-head in extreme sporting events in exchange for prize money, hardware, and bragging rights. Films like the 2008 romantic comedy Made of Honor have highlighted the harsh games in an exaggerated manner, although their depiction isn’t that far off. The competitions indeed take special skills as participants’ abilities are tested in strength, speed, and stamina. And while Patrick Dempsey isn’t showing off his muscles in the real games as he did in the film, the challenges are no joke.
My Happy Place
Americans got a taste of the games’ intensity while watching the April 27 premiere of My Happy Place, featuring actor and beloved The Traitors host Alan Cumming. In the first installment of the six-episode CNN series — which follows various celebrity hosts as they take viewers around the world on a journey to their “happy place” — Cumming reflected on his childhood in the Scottish Highlands before transplanting to New York City, with a vivid memory of attending the world-famous Highland Games.
To Cumming, the games are a “celebration of community” and something he looked forward to every summer, as they occur from May to September in many parts of Scotland. (Viewers particularly followed Cummings to the games at the Gordon Castle in Moray.) And while they can be next-level rigorous, there are some less physically demanding events, like the Best Rescue Dog competition Cumming entered his Costa Rica-born street dog Lala into and sadly lost to two furry opponents. (Luckily, Lala didn’t seem as heartbroken as her owner over the defeat.)
But are the other events in the Highland Games as fierce as the movies portray, where rivals cast poles like weightless objects and measure their power through seemingly impossible challenges? Cumming gave us a peek at the annual affair in The Happy Place series, which fueled us to dive deeper into understanding the long-standing tradition.
What Are the Highland Games?
Let’s first start by explaining the premise of the Highland Games. The single-day tournaments take place in the summertime and are held nationwide. As per Scotland’s official website, the games are generally comprised of field and track events, piping and Highland dancing competitions, and ritually “heavy events,” such as the tug-o-war and hammer throw (more on this later).
However, the caber toss is known as the most iconic of the games, in which contestants strategically flip an up to 11 stone (154 pounds) log, aiming it to fall away from them in an upright position. (For reference, this is the game Dempsey’s character miserably failed at in Made of Honor.) Other challenges include a hill race, cycling competition, shot put, and a slew of others that strictly examine players’ exuberant energy and toughness.
The first Highland Games of 2025 kicks off in Gourock on May 11, featuring a pipe band, bar, traders, and vendors for those who’d rather sit on the sidelines than partake in the extraordinary matches. But there are many opportunities to compete, with over 30 events each month in July and August alone (via Visit Scotland).
The Origin of the Highland Games
The Highland Games have been around long before the first modern Olympics took place in 1896, pre-the first FIFA World Cup in 1930, and centuries prior to the Green Bay Packers defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in the first Super Bowl in 1967 — all major sporting events that are globally celebrated to this day.
The origin of the United Kingdom games is traced back to the 11th century, during the era of King Malcolm III, who pitted men against each other in search of a personal courier (via Visit Scotland), though they weren’t formalized until much later. They have evolved tremendously since the 1800s into the Highland Games that we’re familiar with today, honoring Highland culture and Scottish roots all over the world.
No, really. It has amassed into a social event that you don’t even have to go to Scotland to enjoy. The United States has jumped on the bandwagon as many areas have hosted their own Highland Games inspired by the Scottish tradition. In January, the 47th Scottish Highland Games was held in Winter Springs, Florida, bringing together hundreds of players and spectators for a weekend of activities. It included many of the games’ authentic events while offering Scottish fare and delicacies (via Orlando Sentinel). Other states like New Hampshire, Texas, and Wisconsin also created their versions of the famed games that have gone on for decades.
Making Strides in the Rulebook
While touring the grounds in My Happy Place, Cumming pointed out a momentous update to the Highlands Games’ rulebook that changed the game for female competitors. He noted that women recently were added to the “heavy” events for the first time in the game’s history after centuries of it being a male-only contest. (Women have been able to compete in the games since 1948, but the “heavy” events have been reserved for men.)
The shift was long anticipated as the number of female athletes competing in the games has risen dramatically. According to an April 2020 article in SB Nation, 201 women took part in the Highlands Games in 2001, and by 2019, the female competitors climbed to 702. The adjustment is said to be an effort to enhance diversity and inclusivity, which is a significant factor in obtaining funding, as per The Scotsman.
However, women don’t fully follow the same guidelines as men, as the weight varies for some events, like the hammer throw, which involves tossing a hammer created from a metal ball attached to a wooden handle. The hammer weight is around 22 pounds for males, while for females, it’s 16 pounds (via Scotland’s official website).
What It Takes to Qualify
You might think that such physically taxing games would have extensive requirements for participants to qualify. And while that might be the case for U.S. competitions, Scotland has fewer restrictions. According to the Royal Scottish Highland Games Association, athletes must register and pay the designated fee (which varies per individual and team) prior to competing in most events, aside from Highland dancing and piping, which do not require registration.
A good attitude and sportsmanship for all competitors are also highly encouraged, but no other provisions are listed.
More About My Happy Place
The Scottish Highlands is just the first stop on the trek through celebrity oases in the new My Happy Place series. Other destinations include traveling to Bali, Indonesia, with Golden Globe winner Taraji P. Henson; Austin, Texas, with decorated musician Questlove; Mykonos, Greece, with Primetime Emmy Award winner Billy Porter; New Orleans, Louisiana, with Oscar-award-winning actress Octavia Spencer; and Bangkok, Thailand, with legendary actor Simu Liu.
The show airs on Sundays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CNN and CNN International.
<p>The post A Deeper Look into Alan Cumming’s ‘Happy Place’ at Scotland’s Highland Games first appeared on Travelbinger.</p>