The 13th Hororata Highland Games promises vibrant blend of traditional festivities and family-friendly fun that will whisk people away to the Scottish Highlands right here in New Zealand! This Scottish celebration, thought to be the biggest in the Southern Hemisphere, offers a captivating blend of sports, culture, music and heritage.
“Our community loves welcoming people from all over the world for the Hororata Highland Games. You don’t have to be Scottish to enjoy the Games, but we find most people leave feeling a bit of Scotland in their heart,” explained Cindy Driscoll, Executive Officer of the Hororata Community Trust, the charity behind the festival.
This year’s celebration will feature an emphasis on music, showcasing the deep-rooted musical traditions of Scotland with performances from the Southern Celtic Fiddle Orchestra and a sing-along with Willie McArther. The Massed Bands March will be a highlight as part of the Chieftain’s welcoming ceremony.
A Scottish gathering would not be proper without a Chieftain. The role of Chieftain is steeped in Scottish history, with each clan led by a strong leader. At the Hororata Highland Games, the Chieftain embodies this tradition, seeking the strongest individuals to stand by his side in battle.
Richard Lang, founding Trustee and former Chair of the Hororata Community Trust has been named as the 2024 Chieftain. Richard has been instrumental in supporting the Hororata community since 2013. As a Partner at Duncan Cotterill law firm, his specialized skills helped the Trust regain ownership of the historic Hororata Hall. Committed to preserving the hall’s legacy, Richard highlighted its history, noting that it was established in 1890 by Sir John Hall to serve as a community gathering space. “It’s an honour to continue Duncan Cotterill’s legacy of supporting the Hororata community,” he stated.
Traditional Scottish competitive events
In the heart of this festival are traditional Scottish competitive events. “We have an impressive lineup of strongman athletes coming to Hororata to compete in the Oceania Heavyweight Championship. Additionally, there will be 19 bands, making this the largest gathering of bands outside of the Nationals in New Zealand. Along with 100 highland dancers, this event is shaping up to be one of the biggest Games we have ever hosted,” said Cindy.
Visitors will have the opportunity to not only watch the competitive events but they can also participate in a variety of activities, including tossing cabers, hurling haggis, Tug O’ War, running a Kilted Mile, and competing for the title of best-dressed lad and lassie in tartan attire.
This festival also offers a delightful Scottish farmyard, sheep shearing, woolcraft demonstrations, medieval Knight exhibitions, a fairground, and over 120 unique market stalls.
The Hororata Highland Games will take place at the scenic Hororata Domain, just 45 minutes from Christchurch. Gates open at 9 am, with a full day of activities running until 4:30 pm.
Discounted tickets are available online now and numbers are limited, with no gate sales on the day. Children under 16 years are free. All profits from the event will be reinvested back into our rural community.
Please note that mobile signal can struggle and EFTPOS machines can struggle to get signal, please make sure you bring cash for purchases. The Games also have ATM machines situated in Event Information Building (entry at rear of building).
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.hororatahighlandgames.org.nz