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Loch Kinord hotel
Major Highland Gatherings in Royal Deeside
Braemar
Braemar is probably best known for its Highland Games, the annual Braemar Gathering which takes place on the first Saturday in September. First held in the 11th Century as a contest between local clans, Queen Victoria became a regular attender. Successive generations of royals since have maintained that tradition.
The modern Braemar Gathering includes a range of traditional and musical events together with stalls and sideshows. Tickets for seating in the stands should be booked in advance. Otherwise entry on the day is available for standing.
Lonach
In recent years Billy Connolly, the famous Scottish comedian, has become the patron of the Lonach Gathering. This small local Highland Games event in the village of Bellabeg, close to Connolly's Highland estate at Candacraig has attracted such celebrities as Dame Judi Dench, Steve Martin and Robin Williams. Photographers and visitors alike have appreciated the effort that these stars have made to dress in kilts and participate in the events.
Connolly won over the hearts of the locals by adopting the role of the laird and taking part in the traditional march of the Men of Lonach, which has taken place annually for the last 159 years.
Ballater
The Highland Games is undoubtedly the most important visitors event which takes place in the Ballater year. The Games attract many hundreds of visitors from around the world. Being held on a Thursday some local people (shopkeepers, hoteliers etc) are unable to attend but local children are there in strength and happily participate in many events.
It's a happy day when kilts are worn by all who are entitled to do so and by many who are not - especially by those who are not! Its a happy day and - tempting fate, - the weather, over the years, has been kind.
Aboyne
Though in point of age the Aboyne Games cannot compare with their sister gatherings of Braemar and Lonach, they are of a respectable antiquity, having been instituted in 1867 and continued without a break, except for two world wars, ever since.
The Aboyne Dress, worn by girl dancers for 'The Lilt', is named for the Aboyne Highland Games in Scotland where it is forbidden for the women to wear the kilt.
The programme, originally a comparatively simple one in1867 when it originated-there were only two flat races, 100 yards and quartermile has grown till it now includes nearly all the major athletic competitions. Since time and space are limited it takes considerable organisation and effort to crowd in all the events.