The History of the Games

When Mary Queen of Scots visited her half sister, the Countess of Argyll in 1563, the young men of the district showed off their athletic prowess before the Queen and her entourage. This said by some to have been the start of the Inveraray Highland Games although nothing further documented until 1844 when the Lady Elizabeth Levenson -Gower home to Inveraray Castle. As part of the rejoicings it appears there were held on the Stable Park and again repeated in 1985 when it appears there was an association known as the Inveraray Regatta and Sports Club in existence.

The Club held a meeting on the 20th September 1890 and rules were drawn up and a lust of subscribers donated money to fund the Club. These were mainly members of County families and business men in the area and the total amount raised was £32.16 Patrons were the Duke of Argyll and his son Marquis of Lorne, Secretary was Charles Guthrie, a local baker, and the treasurer David Stewart, whose great grandson is still a member of the present Games Committee

In 1893 gate money was charged for the first time and a wooden hut was erected for the use of the committee and the following year rules were printed on the bills and programmes

A public meeting in 1897 was chaired by Provost Rodger, the local chemist and it was disclosed that the funds stood at £ 36.18.2 The Chieftain at the time was Lord Archibald Campbell, second son of the 8t Duke of Argyll and a well known enthusiast in all things pertaining to Highland culture.

The main attraction of 1898 was a display by the Band and Social Drill Unit of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, who were transported to the games on a free passage on the Lord of the Isles and marched from the pier to the stable park.

Seats in the Grand Stand could be had at 1/- per head and there was accommodation for 600 people in stand. By 1901 two-wheeled vehicles were allowed on the ground at a cost of 2/6 and 5/- for vehicles of four wheels. The cost of preparing the field was £15 and a piping judge fee was £1.1s. A Five a side shinty tournament and tortoise Cycling Race was included in the program. The minutes also note that a case of whisky which had been donated had mysteriously gone astray!!

The Duke of Argyll was appointed Chieftain of the Games in 1904, a position held today by his great-great-great present Duke . Niall Campbell of Strachur was Chieftain and presented the Committee and a cheque for £7.17. 6 to encourage the wearing of the kilt. Sir Andrew Noble of Ardkinglas also donated s prize of £5.5s for the winners of a tug-of-war competition. In 1907 a competition was also included for knitted kilt hose and a discussion took place as to the inclusion of Girl dancers, but this motion defeated.

1908 saw a detachment of the Home Fleet sail into the Bay on Games Day consisting of H.M.S. Sentinel and 3 destroyers. The Bills that year announced a 'Grand Navy Display' and the sailors were allowed free entry to the Games and a Special Fancy Dress Costume race was arranged for them as part of the day's events.

An industrial section was included in 1910, but discontinued in 1924. That year too a handicap was introduced for races . A new trophy was presented in the form of a silver challenge cup for the local section of the bagpipe classes in the age group 18 years and under. The donor of this cup was Mr. Ian Campbell who was to later become the 11th Duke of Argyll. This continued the interest which had always been shown by the Argyll family including Lady Elspeth Campbell who was keen bagpipe enthusiast and who had the ultimate say in choosing judges for the Piobaireachd Competitions.

The Games was discontinued at the start of the second World War and did not recommence until 1958 when a band of enthusiasts headed by the late EX-Provost Alexander MacIntyre met to discuss the possibility of once again having a Highland Gathering at Inveraray. The stable park was not considered a suitable venue and the then Duke of Argyll offered the use of the Winterton, an offer which was gracefully accepted and it is here that the Games continue to be held on the first Tuesday of the Glasgow Fair each Year !!.