Creag Dhubh Hill Race
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Event overview
The Newtonmore Highland Games is an annual Highland Games held on the first Saturday in August in Newtonmore. The 2026 edition is scheduled for Saturday 1 August 2026. The event takes place at The Eilan, Newtonmore’s shinty pitch, on the south side of the village and includes a Clan Macpherson Gathering with an organized march into the arena.
Competitions and programme
The Games feature traditional heavy events such as hammer throwing, shot put and tossing the caber, pipe band performances and individual piping contests, Highland dancing judged under the Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing (SOBHD), athletics events, a haggis-eating competition, a shinty veterans six-a-side match and fairground attractions. The Creag Dhubh Hill Race runs over a course of approximately 4½ miles with a vertical ascent of about 1200 feet. The hill race male record is 26 minutes 49 seconds (2019) and the female record is 32 minutes 21 seconds (2006).
Track, field and heavy events are conducted with a Scottish Athletics permit and under UK Athletics rules. Scottish Highland Games Association (SHGA) athletes are eligible but must declare their SHGA registration number at entry. Dancing entries are accepted under SOBHD rules.
Practical information
There is free parking next to the arena. Admission prices listed are: Adults £10, Children £5, Seniors £5 and Family Ticket £25; tickets are available at the gates by card or cash. Event entries for dancing and the hill race are accepted online through the usual Highland Games entry systems. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
