There can be little doubt that traditional Games of agility and strength have been practised in the Highlands from very early times. Formalisation and annual gatherings began around 1820 as part of the revival of Tartan and Highland Culture encouraged by Sir Walter Scott. In 1848 the Braemar Highland Games was attended by Queen Victoria. By this time the competitions were much as they are today with traditional stone and hammer throwing, tossing the caber, piping and dancing along with running and jumping events.
The first Crieff Highland Gathering was in 1870 and has occured every year since with the two exceptions of 1914-18 and 1939-49 when no gatherings took place.
For more history of Crieff & West Perthshire please visit www.strathearn.com or for Perthshire in general please visit www.perthshire-scotland.co.uk.