With just days to go until the 2024 Cowal Gathering, organisers are looking forward to welcoming visitors from all four corners of the world back to Dunoon to take part in world-class competitions.
This is an historic year for Cowal Gathering as the event celebrates its 130th anniversary. Hundreds of thousands of visitors have poured into Dunoon in the years since 1894 to witness the very best compete in the most famous Highland games competitions.
And this year is no different. Cowal Gathering is the home of the Cowal Pipe Band Champions, the world’s oldest pipe band championship, the World Highland Dancing Championships, where three new world champions will be crowned, all under the eyes of the Cowal Gathering crowd both in the Stadium, and online. Not forgetting the Cowal International Heavy Athletics Championship, Scotland’s only international heavy athletics championship.
But this is only half the story, every spectator who comes through the gates can choose to see or take part in as many of the additional attractions, which make Cowal Gathering much more than ‘just’ a highland games – all included in their entry ticket.
Cowal Gathering has something for every member of the family in the Top Field entertainment area. From axe throwing with Braveheart Axe Throwing and superhuman feats from The Stunt Runner through to stories from Artie’s Singing Kettle, giant games, crazy golf, the come-and-try mountain bike track, clowns and magic tricks, you would be hard pressed to not find something to keep you entertained.
But that’s not all on offer. Also included in the admission ticket is entry to the famous Cowal Live Music Tent featuring the world class traditional Scottish music that Cowal Gathering is famous for. And once again the Cowal Live Music Tent is set to rock the stadium with a fantastic line-up of talent headed up by Cowal favourites and last year’s Gig at the Gathering headliners, Beinn Lee.
Beinn Lee will be supported by Cowal Gathering first timers, Oban’s Ceol an Aire, together with Abigail Pryde Band. Abigail is no stranger to the Cowal stage as part of Heron Valley and this year is the first time she’s played for the Cowal crowd with her own band. Cowal Gathering’s resident ceilidh band the Inverhooley Ceilidh Band make the leap to the Live Music Tent where they will make sure no feet remain undanced!
Of course, all this entertainment is in addition to the traditional events which are the cornerstone of Cowal Gathering – from piping and highland dancing to heavy athletics and wrestling.
Speaking on behalf of the Cowal Gathering Board, Fraser McCowan said he is looking forward to welcoming the crowds back saying: ‘Cowal Gathering is a special event and this year we were determined to put on a party to celebrate our 130th anniversary.
‘Cowal Gathering means so much to so many people and I am mindful, every time I walk through the gates that we are walking in the footsteps of generations of Gathering goers.
‘Every dancer to ever be crowned as a World Highland Dancing Champion, every bandsman or pipe band to win the title of Cowal Pipe Band Champion and every heavy athletics team to lift the Cowal International Heavy Athletics Championship trophy has walked through these gates. So, when we say you’re walking in the footsteps of champions we mean it.
‘Knowing that we have competitors travelling from all across the globe who have spent their careers waiting for this moment, to perform in front of the Cowal crowd, fills me pride, and I am looking forward to welcoming everyone to this year’s event.
‘And for spectators who are also coming for our family-friendly attractions, I can assure you that we’ve put together a package of entertainment to appeal to all age groups. We’re welcoming back some old favourites as well as some new acts.’
Cowal Highland Gathering is supported through EventScotland’s International Events Programme.
For more information about the event, please visit the Gathering’s website at www.cowalgathering.com or contact the event office by emailing info@cowalgathering.com or phoning 01369 703206.