History of Spokane Highland Games
Over 900 years ago, Scottish King Malcolm Canmore devised the first Scottish Games. In that tradition, the Inland Northwest has celebrated its heritage through a festival, tattoo or Highland Games since 1959. That was the year of the first Scottish Festival held in Coeur d'Alene, ID, to coincide with the annual Scottish Picnic held in the area every summer since 1935.
For the first few years, the festival or tattoo was merely a Saturday night pipe band contest that attracted pipe bands from Washington, Idaho, Alberta and British Columbia. In 1967, the Coeur d’Alene Summer School of Piping and Drumming became an integral part of the tattoo.
In later years, the tattoo became the Scottish Festival and moved to Spokane, where it has been held every summer since in varying formats – in some years as a full-blown Highland Games and in others as a more modest piping competition.
The 1994 Highland Games marked a renewal in the spirit and enthusiasm of the games with a variety of exhibits, demonstrations, traditional foods and, of course, piping, drumming and dancing.
Coming to the Spokane Highland Games is a great way for the whole family to partake in the fun and excitement of this unique and colorful Scottish event, without having to travel to Scotland.
For the first few years, the festival or tattoo was merely a Saturday night pipe band contest that attracted pipe bands from Washington, Idaho, Alberta and British Columbia. In 1967, the Coeur d’Alene Summer School of Piping and Drumming became an integral part of the tattoo.
In later years, the tattoo became the Scottish Festival and moved to Spokane, where it has been held every summer since in varying formats – in some years as a full-blown Highland Games and in others as a more modest piping competition.
The 1994 Highland Games marked a renewal in the spirit and enthusiasm of the games with a variety of exhibits, demonstrations, traditional foods and, of course, piping, drumming and dancing.
Coming to the Spokane Highland Games is a great way for the whole family to partake in the fun and excitement of this unique and colorful Scottish event, without having to travel to Scotland.
