What's on in the area

Stirling Highland Games

Jul 2009 (annual)

Cost: £6; seniors, students & 5-12 yrs £4; younger accompanied children free

Hours: 11.30am-6pm; gates open 11am

Although a relative youngster among its fellow Highland gatherings - it was first held in 1985 - the Stirling Games has gone from strength to strength and now attracts well over 5000 spectators from all over the globe to the Bannockburn Heritage Centre.

The one-day event showcases all the traditional Highland Games, harking back to the warrior clan days. The "heavy" events, in addition to the track and field, include those in which large men in tartan sweat profusely as they hurl large objects as far as they can: shots (which are putt), hammers (which are thrown) and cabers (which are tossed). For teams of heavies (if you will) there is a five-a-side tug-of-war competition. Then there are the more artistic activities - Scottish dancing and both solo and massed bagpiping, as well as stalls, falconry displays and the like.

Bannockburn Heritage Centre