Dundonald Highland Games

Dundonald Highland Games Dundonald Highland Games is one of Ayrshire’s premier cultural events. Haste ye back!

Traditional highland games with RSPBA Pipeband competition, RSOBHD Highland Dancing competition, solo piping, heavy events, tug-o-war, street parades, stalls & fun fair. It is unique in capturing traditional Scottish heritage and strong community spirit within the picturesque setting of Royal Dundonald Castle. Admission to the Games is completely free and offers a whole range of entertainment and

activities. The festivities begin at 11.30am with the Children’s Fancy Dress competition at the Montgomerie Hall followed by the Street Procession through the centre of the village to the Playing Fields. At 12.30pm, during the Opening Ceremony watch the coronation of the Games Queen and the Chieftain’s Address. Throughout the day the Piping Arena is home to the RSPBA Pipe Band and Drum Major contests where highly skilled local, regional and international bands compete from Grades 1 to 4. Elsewhere, the Solo Piping and RSOBHD Highland Dancing stages will showcase some of the finest Scottish and global talent. The Events Arena will provide a range of alternative entertainment including our burly Scots competing at the Heavy Events. Royal Dundonald Castle and the Visitor Centre is open all day and the castle will also provide a magnificent background for the Solo Lament during the Prize Giving and Closing Ceremony. Visit the Stalls & Craft Fayre where you will find a fantastic blend of commercial stalls and local clubs and organisations from throughout the village. Later on why not enter our popular Open Events competition which is free for members of the public to join in a variety of fun games and activities. Then watch the locals battle it out during the Tug-o-war and marvel in awe as the Massed Pipe Bands Parade marches through the village from the War Memorial. Finally, round the day off by following a well respected local tradition and drink a toast to the Chieftain in the local pub and continue the festivities in good company. We hope you enjoy our Highland Games and all the events and activities held during Dundonald Games Week.

02/04/2026

👏 Congratulations to our 2026 dignitaries! 👏

👑 Queen is Emily Gillon
👯‍♀️ Attendants are Emily Neilson and Isla Croll
🎖️ Junior chieftain is Lochlan Smith

The draw for junior chieftain, queen and attendants is 𝐓𝐎𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 at 5.30 in the visitor centre. See you there 🤩 Good luck ...
02/04/2026

The draw for junior chieftain, queen and attendants is 𝐓𝐎𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 at 5.30 in the visitor centre. See you there 🤩 Good luck everyone!

01/04/2026

👑 The draw for Queen, attendants and junior chieftain is TOMORROW at 5.30 in the visitor centre 👑
Good luck to everyone and we will see you there!

After all the nominations for this year’s Chieftain were reviewed and scored it was a privilege to be able to ask a very...
15/03/2026

After all the nominations for this year’s Chieftain were reviewed and scored it was a privilege to be able to ask a very humble member of the community if they would be Chieftain this year, We are very pleased to announce that The Chieftain for Dundonald Highland Games 2026 is Mr John Mulholland !
John is married to Fiona; they have two sons Scott and Craig and a grandson Finn.
John started working life as an apprentice plumber and worked for Kilmarnock and Loudoun District Council for several years. John thereafter became the coordinator and later the chief executive of Ayr Housing Aid Centre a charity which provides housing and homeless advice and supports vulnerable people, he retired in 2021. John after six years of study (2 days a week) achieved a Bachelor of Laws Degree from Strathclyde University in 2001.
He was a local councilor on Kyle and Carrick District Council from 1988 – 1992. Over the years he has been involved in many community organisations locally and nationally,
He is the Past President of Dundonald Bowling Club and has served on the Bowling Club Committee for many years doing a range of jobs. He has used his experience to support the club and its development.
John is also a Past President and serving committee member of the Dundonald Burns Club Club, where he promotes Robert Burns, Scottish heritage and community engagement. As many people know one of John's passions is the music and writings of Bob Dylan which he will happily tell you about if you ask him !
John is a trustee of Friends of Dundonald Castle and was involved with the Dundonald Highland Games from its earliest days—he wrote our constitution and continues to offer advice when asked.
A lifelong villager and former pupil of Dundonald Primary School, John maintains strong links with the school. He regularly visits with other Bowling Club members to promote bowls to younger generations and represents the Burns Club in introducing pupils to the work of Robert Burns and Scottish culture on visits.
Following an approach from our local minister in 2020 John became involved with the development of local projects linked to the church assisting with grant application and development planning, Floyds Cafe is an example of this work.
On top of all that John is well known in the village for helping people in the community with is knowledge of the local authorities, housing associations and the Law when they are in need.
Please join us in congratulating Mr John Mullholland — a true gentleman and community champion!"
John said “ I am honored that the people of the village have asked me to become the chieftain of the games in 2026. I follow many past chieftains and will do my upmost to promote the games and our village. I look forward to meeting villagers and visitors at the games on the 1st August 2026.”

10/03/2026

👑 DHG 2025 Queen Callie giving us her perspective on what it means to be Queen of the Games! 👑

👸🏼 Applications to be our DHG Queen for 2026 will be sent home from school!
🩷 Nominations open from the 9th March to
27th of March
📆 The draw for Queen, attendants and junior chieftain will be on Thursday 2nd April at 5.30 in the visitor centre

Get your nominations for 2026 chieftain in before Friday 13th March!We are looking for an upstanding, respected member o...
07/03/2026

Get your nominations for 2026 chieftain in before Friday 13th March!

We are looking for an upstanding, respected member of the community of Dundonald, who enriches our village with their personality and community spirit.

Send your nominations in using the link below or using a paper copy from any of these locations:
Dundonald Castle & Visitor Centre
Dundonald Bowling Club
The Auchans, Dundonald
Healing Hair
Keystore Dundonald
Sheltered housing

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfUC8yOItLkEB1ilmn28c5tkIUKE1Hrgq5g6fl6dTzBbG0Ebw/viewform?fbclid=IwVERDUAQW0u5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeEvOFKPtwFluwtm0cZlVF9Hq9A3RBN8f4mMDUo5VlkOC2znivh46GgrYFPBQ_aem_Bg2lX-oOKB7-8yVFwD-f8g

Nominations are now open for 2026 Chieftain !Do you know someone in the Dundonald community who would be a great ambassa...
01/03/2026

Nominations are now open for 2026 Chieftain !
Do you know someone in the Dundonald community who would be a great ambassador for Dundonald Highland Games? If so, please complete this nomination form and submit it before Friday 13th of March 2026

Our Chieftain should be an upstanding member of the community who goes above and beyond on a voluntary basis to give back to the community of Dundonald, where nothing is too much trouble.

Some of the key attributes we look for when choosing a Chieftain is their community work, personality, social skills and length of time in village or surrounding area. Please include details of these attributes in the nomination form.

Each nomination form will be scored on the above and our new 2026 Chieftain will be appointed during the month of March.
You can use the link below to vote or visit one of the locations in the village who will have paper copies and voting boxes.
Dundonald Castle & Visitor Centre
Dundonald Bowling Club
The Auchans, Dundonald
Healing Hair
Keystore Dundonald
Sheltered housing

Do you know someone in the Dundonald community who would be a great ambassador for Dundonald Highland Games? If so, please complete this nomination form and submit it before Friday 13th of March 2026 Our Chieftain should be an upstanding member of the community who goes above and beyond on a volunta...

24/02/2026

‼️ AGM TONIGHT!! ‼️
If you can help support us in making this year’s games the best yet, either as a volunteer or as part of our committee, please come to the castle visitor centre tonight at 7pm.

20/02/2026

⭐️ 𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥 ⭐️- 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗔𝗚𝗠 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆. 𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿’𝘀 𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀, 𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗯𝘆!

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Dundonald Castle Playing Fields, Winehouse Yett
Kilmarnock
KA29HD

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