Braemar Highland Games, as part of the wider Braemar Gathering, is said to have started in 1832 but the first Press report that we have found is for 1833 when the Perthshire Advertiser of Thursday, 5th September had this to say.
It is perhaps the best known of the Highland Gatherings and Games, partly because of its connection with the royal family (Queen Victoria granted it the Royal title in 1866) but also because it is a fine meeting. This page traces the history and development of Braemar from the mid 80’s through to 2000 via selection of Games from each decade to show how they have changed, but also show how tradition has come down through the ages. We were reminded by a report in the Aberdeen Press & Journal in September 1902 of the purpose and age of the Gathering in the following paragraph.
As is the case today, meetings often clashed with other similar events and the Lonach Gathering was held on the same day as Braemar since the 1840’s, and the Aboyne Games were always the day before Braemar and treated, in the Press at least, as part of the week’s Gathering. Of particular interest may be the first Games after the War: which war? The Boer War meant a two year gap in the Games, the 1914-1918 War meant Games ceased between 1913 and 1918, and the 1939-45 War meant a gap for the duration with the first post-war Games being in 1946.
Braemar: 1844, 1846, 1848 and 1850 Braemar: 1875, 1880, 1885 .Braemar in the Boer War: 1899-1902 Braemar: The First Gathering
Braemar: 1911, 1912, 1913, 1914 Braemar: The 1919 Post War Revival Braemar: 1920, 21 Braemar: 1926 – Centenary Year
Braemar: 1930 Braemar: What Past Athletes Had To Do Braemar: 1938, 1939 Braemar Owes Much To Women
Braemar: 1946, 1947 Braemar Centenary of Royal Patronage, 1948 Braemar: 1950 Braemar 1955, 56 Braemar 1960
Braemar: 1970 Bill Anderson & Arthur Rowe
