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12.03.2026
The flagship Inverclyde event – which attracted a record crowd of more than 15,000 visitors to Battery Park in 2025 – will take place on Sunday 10 May 2026 from 12noon till 6pm and is completely free to attend.
Locals of all ages will mingle with visitors who travel from far and wide to enjoy the first Highland games of the season
Once again the games will include the popular traditional heavy competition with both male and female competitors taking part in events including tossing the caber and hammer throwing.
Dancers will take to the stage for the Highland dancing competition while pipe bands from across Scotland will travel to the park to take part in their competition and the iconic march past to officially close the games.
The huge Battery Park site on the beautiful banks of the Clyde will once again be full of attractions including arts and crafts stalls from across Scotland, local traders and community groups. There will also be a great selection of delicious food, baked goods and yummy treats for all tastes.
A vintage fire appliance from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Heritage Trust will be on site alongside the return of the popular Come and Try Circus Skills after the attraction was a hit last year.
Inverclyde Council’s library service will deliver fun, family-friendly activities throughout the day including their popular Bookbug sessions for babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers and families.
Pupils from local primaries will take part in Inverclyde Active Schools’ mini Highland games while all ages can enjoy the fair rides, a climbing wall, bungee trampolines and much more.
Provost Drew McKenzie said: “We know that summer is on the way when we announce the date for the Gourock Highland Games.
“It’s a flagship event for Inverclyde Council and rightly so with thousands of locals and visitors enjoying a fantastic day out.
“The event celebrates Scottish culture and really does have something for all ages and interests to enjoy.”
The Gourock Highland Games are the first of the season and are organised in partnership with the Royal Scottish Highland Games Association (RSHGA).
Parking will be very limited on the day but the site is well served by public transport with Fort Matilda train station a short walk away and several bus routes through Inverclyde stopping at Battery Park.
For the latest information about the 2026 Gourock Highland Games, follow the games on Facebook and Instagram.
Campaigning school pupil Cameron McGerr has been announced as the chieftain for the 2026 Gourock Highland Games.
The 16-year-old Clydeview Academy student has been campaigning to introduce CPR to secondary school pupils since he lost his parents, Lynne and Kevin to heart conditions.
He took his campaign all the way to the Scottish Parliament when he addressed MSPs in the chamber last September.
A Gourock boy, Cameron attended the games for many years as a child and in recent years as a member of the 2nd Gourock Boys Brigade
Cameron said: “I’ve got lots of great memories of going to the Gourock Highland Games. Last year I helped at an archery stall with my BB company.
“The atmosphere is incredible, it feels really patriotic with the pipe bands and the setting.
“I’m really looking forward to meeting lots of people and seeing everything happen, it will be fun to see it from a different perspective. It’s an amazing opportunity and I’m honoured to be asked.
“Let the games begin!”
This year’s games take place in Battery Park on Sunday 10 May from 12noon till 6pm and are completely free to attend.
Cameron was joined by the Provost of Inverclyde, Drew McKenzie and young dancers from May Hughes School of Dance at Battery Park to mark his appointment.
Provost Drew McKenzie said:
“Cameron is an inspiring young man and he’s a fantastic choice to be the chieftain for this year’s games.
“He’s come through a lot in his young life and he’s using that as a force for good to empower other young people.
“I’m delighted he’s being given the chance to get his message to an even wider audience and he’ll be a great ambassador for the games.
“The Gourock Highland Games are the first Highland Games of the season and one of the first signs that winter is behind us and summer is on the way.
“Last year we had a record crowd down in Battery Park, helped of course by the great weather, and I’m sure this year will be no different.
“It was a great mix of locals, regular visitors and tourists coming for the first time to experience the day.
“I can’t wait to see the crowds along for another great day on the shores of the Clyde at Battery Park.”
Once again the games will include traditional heavy events like tossing the caber and hammer throwing, including the unique Kempock Stone.
The event will also include Highland dancing and pipe band competitions, finishing with the iconic pipers march past to close the games.
Battery Park will be full of arts and crafts stalls featuring creative makers from across Scotland, local traders and community groups. There will also be a great selection of street food, baked goods and drinks with something for all tastes.
The culture and heritage marquee will have a wide range of activities suitable for all ages including popular Bookbug sessions for wee ones and their families; Love Your Library where you can find out all about what your local library has to offer; Love Local Heritage will explore the history of Gourock Outdoor Pool and also commemorate the 85th anniversary of the Greenock Blitz with a silent disco featuring 1940s music; and Highland folk tales with Archaeology Scotland.
There will be a new birds of prey stand and local Scouts will be serving up hot drinks and treats in the tea tent.
Inverclyde Active Schools’ mini Highland Games will involve youngsters from local schools, and there will be fun for the whole family including fair rides, a climbing wall, bungee trampolines and more.
The Gourock Highland Games are the first of the season and are organised in partnership with the Royal Scottish Highland Games Association (RSHGA).
The Gourock Highland Games is the first Highland games of the Scottish season and every year we attract visitors from across the world to celebrate Scottish culture.
This year, we have chosen the ‘Pride of the Clyde’ tartan for our branding. This beautifully blue tartan embodies the spirit of the iconic River Clyde and reflects the unity and resilience of the people who live along its banks.
Although the identity of the creator remains unknown, it nevertheless stands as a testament to Scotland’s enduring tradition of textile artistry and craftsmanship.
Look out for it when you are at Battery Park for the Games on Sunday May 10 this year.
#GourockHighlandGames
#GHG26
#DiscoverInverclyde
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