Scottish Tradition Meets Athletic Might: Great Basin Scottish Highland Games Return to Virginia City, June 13–14
June 13 @ 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
Ancestral traditions and world-class athleticism will take center stage this summer as the Great Basin Scottish Highland Games (GBSHG) return on Saturday, June 13, and Sunday, June 14, 2026. Presented by the Northern Nevada Throwing Company, this family-friendly weekend celebration brings the vibrant spirit, history, and culture of the Scottish Highlands to the Virginia City Fairgrounds.
Running from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM on both days, the festival offers an unforgettable weekend packed with heavy athletic competitions, traditional music, and immersive heritage displays designed to transform attendees straight to the heart of Scotland.
At the heart of the festival are the legendary heavy athletic events. Spectators will be able to witness elite competitors showcase incredible strength, balance, and skill in iconic ancestral disciplines, including:
The Caber Toss: The signature event where athletes lift and balance a massive log vertically, running forward to flip it completely end-over-end.
The Stone Put: A traditional precursor to the modern shot put, featuring athletes launching heavy, natural stones from a standstill or a dynamic glide.
The Hammer Throw: Unlike track-and-field, competitors stand with feet firmly fixed to the turf, whirling a heavy metal ball on a rigid four-foot shaft before releasing it for a maximum distance.
The Weight Throw: A test of rapid spin technique and raw power, where athletes use a single hand to hurl heavy metal weights equipped with a handle or chain.
The Weight Over the Bar: An explosive vertical challenge where competitors use one hand to swing and toss a massive 56-pound weight cleanly over an increasingly high horizontal crossbar.
The Sheaf Toss: A crowd-pleasing favorite where athletes use a traditional pitchfork to drive a 20-pound burlap bag filled with straw high over a raised bar.
Beyond the athletic field, the fairgrounds will come alive with the soul-stirring sounds of traditional Scottish bagpipes and Highland dance performances. Attendees can explore a bustling Scottish marketplace filled with Celtic merchandise, artisan goods, traditional food, and genealogy displays designed to help visitors research their ancestral roots and discover individual Scottish clan histories.
Since its founding, the Great Basin Scottish Highland Games has continued to grow into one of Northern Nevada’s premier cultural festivals, drawing athletes, performers, vendors, and spectators from across the region to celebrate the enduring traditions of the Scottish Highlands.
Event Details:
What: 2026 Great Basin Scottish Highland Games
When: Saturday, June 13 & Sunday, June 14, 2026
Where: Virginia City Fairgrounds | 435 L St, Virginia City, NV 89440
Tickets: Available for purchase online at www.greatbasingames.com/tickets
For additional event information, vendor applications, sponsorship opportunities, and the full event schedule, visit https://greatbasingames.com/
About the Great Basin Scottish Highland Games
The Great Basin Scottish Highland Games are an annual celebration of Scottish culture, athleticism, music, dance, and heritage held in Virginia City, Nevada. Presented by the Northern Nevada Throwing Company, the event brings together competitors, clans, artisans, performers, and families for a weekend honoring the traditions and spirit of the Scottish Highlands.
