Visitors from overseas are already snapping up tickets for a summer sporting event which is now in its 98^th year.

Tourists from the United States of America, Switzerland, Austria and Germany have already secured their tickets for the Forres Highland Games which will take place on Saturday, July 4.

Last year, organisers of the event had to put tickets on sale early due to the demand from overseas visitors.

Treasurer Alistair Stewart said: “Demand from overseas visitors to the Forres Highland Games is high. Last year, we put them on sale in February, this year, they went live in January and people are buying.

“The Games really are an international affair and last year, we attracted people from Japan, France, Australia and New Zealand, to name just a few of the countries.”

The Forres Highland Games is a popular event with both locals and visitors alike and attracts an audience of thousands. Until the end of May, there are early-bird tickets available at a reduced rate.

Games president, Fred Davidson said: “It is wonderful to see tickets for our event already selling and at the moment, it’s to a predominantly international audience. The Forres Highland Games attracts thousands of spectators and it’s common to have people from across the world. We love to have them and to give them a really authentic Games Day experience.”

The Forres Highland Games are steeped in history and the programme will include track and field events, the 10K road race, Highland dancing, piping and field events such as tossing the caber and the hammer throw.

A recent introduction has been the solo drumming competition which was introduced in 2024 and one of the most popular spectacles is the massed pipe bands.

The Forres Highland Games also successfully introduced four ladies’ heavies’ events in 2025, and last year, the caber toss was added to that too.

Fred said: “The ladies’ heavies’ events have been very popular for competitors and spectators. We are hoping to attract more female competitors this year.” 

Unique to the Forres Highland Games is the message boys bike race where spectators can become competitors.

There are also opportunities for businesses to get involved in the event with stalls and sponsorship available.

“With thousands of people attending the event, the Games are the perfect opportunity to promote your businesses with a stall or through one of our sponsorship packages,” explained Fred. “The Games is run purely by volunteers, and income from these revenue streams is vital to the Games being staged year on year. The sponsorship packages start from as little as £70 and range from sponsoring an event or even one of the popular message bikes, to having an arena banner which we can display year on year.”

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