Mini Highland Games – friendly competition for groups in the Cairngorms

Mini Highland Games in the Cairngorms

Our Mini Highland Games is a fun, team-based twist on the traditional Highland Games – designed for groups who enjoy a bit of friendly competition and a good laugh. Expect light-hearted challenges, clan-style scoring and plenty of chances to cheer each other on.

The games take place on site at Cairngorms Activities near Grantown-on-Spey, making it easy to combine with other activities such as archery, canoeing, SUP or BattleZone as part of a half or full-day package.

It’s ideal for adult social groups, stags and hens, workplace teams, youth groups and mixed family groups. You’ll all be in one group, moving at a pace that suits everyone, with our team setting the tone for how competitive (or relaxed) you’d like the session to feel.

Our Adult Groups page showcases some of our most popular packages, many of which include Mini Highland Games as a key part of the day.

After your session, you can head to our clubhouse bar – a licensed venue open at weekends – and enjoy drinks and food. Catering can often be pre-ordered during the booking process to keep things simple for organisers.

Pricing

Mini Highland Games sessions run for 2 hours and are priced per person.

Adults

£36 per person

Under 18s

£26 per person

This activity is available for pre-booked groups. If you’re planning a larger group, a mixed-age group, or want to combine Mini Highland Games with another activity on site, get in touch and we’ll help shape the day.

Plan a Mini Highland Games session

What to expect from your Mini Highland Games

When your group arrives on site, we’ll welcome you, run through a quick briefing and split you into “clans”. After a short warm-up, you’ll rotate through a series of Highland-inspired team challenges – caber-style tasks, throwing games, relays, balance and coordination challenges, and a few surprises along the way.

Everyone stays together as one group, moving between activities at a pace that suits you. Some events feel more energetic, others are lighter and more playful, so there’s a good mix for different personalities within the group.

We’ll keep simple scores as you go, building towards a friendly finale where one clan is crowned overall winner – complete with bragging rights and plenty of laughs. If you’re making a day of it, Mini Highland Games fits perfectly alongside another activity on site, with breaks built in for food and time in the clubhouse.

Talk to us about your group

Who Mini Highland Games is best for

A great choice for groups who enjoy light-hearted competition and time outdoors together.

Great fit for

Adult social groups, stags and hens

Workplace and corporate teams

Youth and organised groups

Mixed family groups with teens and adults

Groups looking for a dry, land-based activity

Good to know

No specialist fitness or sporting background required

We match the pace and tone to your group

People can sit out a round and still be involved

Easy to combine with another activity on site

Food and drink available from our licensed clubhouse

Mini Highland Games – FAQs

The questions groups most often ask before they book.

Do we need to be fit or strong?

No. You don’t need to be a gym regular or an athlete. The challenges are designed so that most adults and older teens can take part comfortably. It’s more about having a go and getting involved than raw power.

Is this suitable for mixed ages and abilities?

Yes, within reason. We regularly run Mini Highland Games for mixed groups. We can tweak the difficulty of challenges and keep the focus on light-hearted competition so that different ages and abilities can enjoy it together.

What if some people don’t want to join in?

That’s absolutely fine. People can take a break for a round, support their clan from the sidelines or join in with the challenges they like the look of. Being there, cheering and keeping the energy up is all part of it.

How competitive is it?

It’s up to you. By default, we keep things as friendly competition – enough scoring and rivalry to make it fun, but nothing too serious. If your group prefers a more relaxed or more focused feel, just tell us when you book and we’ll adjust.

What should we wear?

Comfortable outdoor clothing and trainers are ideal. Dress for the Scottish weather – layers and a waterproof are useful if it looks changeable. No specialist kit is required. Kilts are optional, but they do look great in photos!

What happens if the weather is bad?

We can usually run Mini Highland Games in typical Scottish conditions, including light rain. If the weather is particularly poor, we’ll adapt the games, adjust the session or look at alternatives to keep things safe and enjoyable for your group.

Plan a Mini Highland Games for your group

Tell us about your group, what else you’d like to include – archery, canoeing, BattleZone or time in the clubhouse – and we’ll put together a Mini Highland Games package that fits your plans.