PROGRAM - 2023
10:30 - Highland Dancing (RSOBHD)
11:00 - Young Heavies - 18/25yrs (16lb hammer, 16lb ball, 28lb weight for distance, 42lb weight over bar, Caber)
12:00 - Ben Rinnes Five Tops Hill Race - 14 miles, 5000ft of ascent
Experienced runners over 18 years of age – must register
13:00 - Heavy Events (16/22lb hammer, 16/22lb ball, 28/56 weight distance, 56lb weight over bar, caber)
Field events (90, 200, 400, 800 and 1600 Meters, High Jump, Long Jump, Triple Jump)
13:15 - Chieftain and Pipe Bands enter the Games Field
13:30 - Opening Ceremony - Chieftain Alex Grant
Tug O’ War: 725 kg followed by 500 kg.
13:45 - Best Presented Pipe Band Competition
For the bands playing in the Massed Bands on the day.
14:50 - Piping and Drumming Competitions.
For members of bands under 16 years who are playing with the massed bands on the day.
Children’s Races - 16yrs and under on the field. These will run as time permits.
Listen for announcements and take care entering the arena.
15:30 - Massed Bands on field
15:45 - Overseas Visitors Race - Competitors MUST be from overseas.
Enter the field with care when the event is called.
Drum Major Competition
16:00 - Draw for the Gallon of Whisky and Lucky Programme
16:30 - Massed Bands on field
17:00 - End of Games
18:00 - "Beating the Retreat" near the town Square (Silver Collection)
NOTICE: A WARNING HORN will sound at the beginning of each race where any danger is foreseen. These times are approximate but we will adhere to them as closely as possible.
HIGHLAND DANCING 2023
There is a full venue of highland dancing beginning at 10.30 for primary, beginners and novices followed by the intermediate and premier categories. All dancers must complete the entry form and show their registration card at the gate. The form can be found on the application forms menu at the top of the page.
HILL RACE 2023
Ben Rinnes 5 Tops Hill Race
All runners must pay the Dufftown games entry fee and submit ticket upon registration.
The route is out and back to Ben Rinnes, the dominant hill of the region, passing the rounded summits of Little Conval and Meikle Conval on the outward and return journeys. Good terrain and easy route-finding most of the way. The only rough heathery section is between Meikle Conval and the road crossing. The race starts and finishes with a lap of the grassy sports track.
Race Date: Saturday, 29 July 2023
Start Time: 12:00 noon
Distance: 22.4 km/14 miles
Climb: 1,520 m/5,000 ft
Male Record: 1:51:29 - Andrew Douglas (2021)
Female Record: 2:12:33 - Georgia Tindley (2021)
Race Guidelines:
The Ben Rinnes 5 Tops Hill Race is for experienced runners over 18 years of age. Runners must carry the following with them:
Full body water proof cover (trousers and jacket)
Map, compass and whistle
Emergency food
Water stations en-route.
Ben Rinnes Hill Race
For previous results please click:
For general information on Scottish Hill Runners please click:
LOCATION
The Dufftown highland games are held in the scenic highland village of Dufftown, AB55 4AP on the last Saturday in July.
The games are held on the Mortlach school field on Hill street. The massed pipe bands start at the clock tower in the town square at 1:00 pm and end the day there for the retreat at 6:00 pm.
Location
PARKING
The highland games have two designated parking lots – one below Balvenie Castle and one in the field just past the turn off to Glenfiddich Distillery coming into town, on the right. These are about a10min walk to the games field.
There is also designated disabled parking at the fire station. Please see the map below for general reference.
Please note that there are several streets in town that are closed to parking as they are parade routes or designated bus parking areas – do not park in areas with traffic cones in place as you will be towed away. Please do not park in the Glenfiddich distillery public parking lot as indicated on the map, this is for distillery visitors only. There is some on street parking in the general area.
SPECIAL NOTICES
Drones
The flying of drones at Dufftown highland games is strictly prohibited, unless prior written authority has been sought and formally granted by the Management Committee of the Games. It should be noted that the use of such equipment is governed by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) under their Air Navigation Order, specifically Articles 166 and 167.