Bakkafrost Scotland celebrates community culture with 12th Cowal Gathering sponsorship. Tens of thousands of people are expected to head to one of the largest Highland games in the world, which is taking place in Dunoon.

Leading salmon producer Bakkafrost Scotland has been a headline sponsor for the Cowal Gathering for 12 years, and around 10 members of the team helped to set up the site at Dunoon Stadium. Organisers expect around 20,000 competitors and visitors to attend the historic games, which date back to 1894 and have become known around the world as a celebration of Scottish tradition and culture.

Held from Thursday August 27 to Saturday August 29, the games play host to the World Highland Dancing Championships – the ‘Olympics’ of Highland dancing. Dancers will travel from across the globe for the chance to compete for a coveted Cowal medal.

The gathering, known locally as the Cowal Games, also hosts the only international heavy athletics programme in the country, the Cowal International Championship.

Events include the traditional caber tossing and hammer throwing, as well as shot put using the 34lb Cowal Stone. As part of their prize, winners in the heavy events will be presented with Bakkafrost Scotland’s Native Hebridean salmon.

Spectators will also have the chance to sample the salmon, with chef Cat Frankitti giving cooking demonstrations.

Pipers will compete in the solo piping and the Cowal Pipe Band Championship, which culminates with the massed pipes and drums playing to salute the chieftain, before marching through the town.

David Mitchell MBE, Cowal Gathering chairman, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Bakkafrost Scotland back as our headline sponsor for another year. Their longstanding support has played a vital role in the success of the Cowal Gathering, helping us attract thousands of competitors and spectators to Dunoon. Together, we look forward to delivering another memorable celebration of Highland culture and international competition.”

David Morrison, general manager of processing at Bakkafrost Scotland, said:

“The Cowal Games is a key event in the calendar for locals and international dancers, athletes and pipers alike. We’re proud to be sponsoring the games for our twelfth year and it’s great to see our team pitching in to help with the setup. The games are a great celebration of culture and community on the doorstep of where many of our local team members live and work, and we sponsor the event because we want to help that continue to thrive.”

Image: Bakkafrost Scotland