History of the 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, when the first Scottish Festival was held in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, to coincide with an annual Scottish Picnic held in the area every summer since 1935.

For the first years, the Tattoo was a Saturday night pipe band contest, attracting pipe bands from Washington, Idaho, Alberta, and British Columbia.  In 1967, the North Idaho College bagpipe school became an integral part of the Tattoo.  In later years, the Tattoo became the Scottish Festival and was moved to Spokane, where it has been held every summer in varying formats, from full-blown Highland Games in some years to more modest piping competitions in others.

The 1994 Highland Games marked a renewal in the spirit and enthusiasm of the games with a full menu 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.