Who can deny that us Kiwis love our Scottish connections and roots? And what’s more, is that even if we are not from Scotland ourselves, we can all respect and admire the hearty humour, the entertaining games, the bonnie animals, and the delicious food that comes from Scotland!
And that is exactly why the Hororata Highland Games is an event that every year attracts more than 10,000 visitors nationally and internationally. It might even well be one of the largest Scottish Festivals in the Southern Hemisphere held annually!
The Hororata Highland Games is best described as a Scottish festival with a Kiwi twist, and it involves all the traditional Scottish entertainment, cuisine, animals and dancing you would expect from a Scottish event plus more.
No matter the age-range of your family, or whether you’d like to check the event out by yourself, or with friends, there is something for everyone. With 38 categories of the Highland dancing divided into age groups, you surely will find yourself up on your feet and joining in with the Highland fling or the sword dance when it comes around.
The Hororata Highland competitions are at the heart of the event. With competitions you can enter in on the day like tug of war, strength events like tossing a caber, pie eating, kilted mile, and so much more, you could leave that day as the new crowned Champion of such an event, and if not, you’ll certainly leave feeling energised and in high spirits! Of course, if you’d rather you can sit back, relax, and watch the international field of athletes battle it out in traditional highland games heavy event.
And, once your appetite has been built up taking part in all the activities and competitions, you can be sure to satisfy your hunger with some traditional Scottish foods including Scottish sweet treats such as Tablet and traditional haggis burgers amongst many more. However, the Hororata Highland Games have not stopped at just the typical Scottish gourmet meals and treats. It aims to make the food on offer a wider cultural experience, with sushi and other well-known appetisers and dishes making an appearance.
However, we must apologise in advance, because after seeing the stall of beautiful Shetland ponies and Scottish Highland cows, you might well find yourself, or your kids more likely, pining after such beautiful animals and wishing you could bring them home. Let your kids experience an up-close encounter with traditional Scottish animals and watch as their faces light up in delight!
The Hororata Highland Games is a community event, and it has a wonderfully special and unique atmosphere about it. It is truly an event that has mastered the art of merging together the Scottish and Kiwi spirit. One of the ways in which they do this and that you won’t want to miss out on, is the Chieftain Welcoming Ceremony which starts with a beautiful waiata. This true Kiwi twist will have everyone feeling part of the community and ready for the games to begin.
And what’s more is that you can leave knowing that you are supporting a good cause. All proceeds go back into the Hororata Community Trust. And with over 200 clan Hororata volunteers working passionately to bring the event together and make the magic happen, the Hororata Highland Games will continue to play a very important role in the community and for its visitors for a long time to come.