# Travel >> Destinations >> Ireland

Highland Games Beyond Scotland: Where They're Held Worldwide

Highland Games—featuring caber toss, hammer throw, piping, dancing, and clan gatherings—have spread globally through the Scottish diaspora. **Over 20 countries** now host regular events.

Major Host Nations (by scale & history)

Country	Key Events / Notes
United States	200+ annual games. Grandfather Mountain (NC), Pleasanton (CA), New Hampshire, Colorado. Largest outside Scotland.
Canada	50+ games. Glengarry (ON), Victoria (BC), Winnipeg. Strong in Nova Scotia ("New Scotland").
Australia	20+ games. Bundanoon (NSW), Maclean ("Scottish Town"), Perth, Adelaide.
New Zealand	10+ games. Waipu, Turakina, Christchurch. Waipu = 1850s Highland settlement.
Ireland	Ulster-Scots heritage. Bangor, Larne, Omagh. Smaller scale.
England	Numerous: Swaledale, Alnwick, Cotswold. Often combined with agricultural shows.
Wales	Bridgend, Llandovery. Celtic cultural overlap.

European Continental Expansion

France: Bressuire, Guérande (Breton-Celtic links).
Germany: Hamburg, Berlin, Bavarian games — growing popularity.
Switzerland: Interlaken, Zurich — alpine affinity.
Austria: Salzburg region.
Netherlands/Belgium: Small but active calendars.
Nordics: Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland — Viking/Scottish ties.
Russia/Ukraine: Niche expat/club events (Moscow, Kyiv pre-2022).

Asia & Beyond

Japan: Tokyo, Osaka — active Scottish societies.
China/Hong Kong: Expat-driven.
South Korea: Seoul — emerging.
South Africa, Brazil, Argentina: Historic Scottish communities.

Governance

Most affiliate with **Scottish Highland Games Association (SHGA)** or **International Highland Games Federation (IHGF)** for standardized rules, records, and judge certification.

Wherever Scots went, the games followed—turning a local tradition into a global cultural franchise.

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