A brief history of the Cowal Highland Gathering

In the Gathering Office, a neatly-bound set of Manuscript Minute Books records over a hundred years of the history of an event which its original founders probably saw as always remaining a local festival but which has instead grown to become the most spectacular Highland Games in the World.

1894 The Argyllshire Standard carried an account of the very first Gathering on 11th August which had been the brainchild of local man Robert Cameron. Fewer than 2,000 spectators attended and the gate receipts totalled less than £60! However, the enthusiasm of the organisers were not diminished and much work was put in to ensure the second Gathering was more successful attracting more than 300 competitors.

1901 marked the start of sustained growth and development, with attendances at 5,000 and the first overseas competitor an American athlete took part.

1906 saw the introduction of a Pipe Band Competition an idea mooted by Malcom McCulloch which was to be the breakthrough that ensured Cowal's place in history and ensure its status as the most spectacular of Highland Games worldwide. Over the years the Gathering's contribution to the repertoire of Bagpipe Music is enshrined in the celebrated Cowal Collections of Bagpipe Music which now run to five volumes the first published as long ago as 1901.

1920 saw the introduction of interest from the 'media' with Cowal being the first Highland Games to be filmed for Pathe News and screened in Cinemas nationwide. A 'live' broadcast was made from the Gathering in 1925 and as the 1920's drew to a close both Paramount and 20th Century Fox were in Dunoon to film the Gathering.

1929 attracted the first approaches from Scottish Societies overseas and this has continued as exiles the world over have turned to Dunoon for advice and practical assistance in setting up their own Gatherings.

1939 was a sombre event where, prior to the march past, the bandsmen and spectators stood in silence as the loudspeakers relayed a recording of 'Land of Hope and Glory'. The threat of war was in the air and within the week Germany had invaded Sudetenland.

1946 After a break during the years of World War II, the first Post-War Gathering attracted attendances of 28,000. However, the record attendance to date at least is 30,000 visitors in 1950 when Prime Minister Attlee was present.

1951 was promoted as the Jubilee Games - perhaps as a result of confusion over the fact that the first official Minute of the event is dated 1901, or because the oldest Cowal Trophy The Burgh Cup was introduced in that year.

2000 Cowal underwent a major overhaul both in infrastructure and competitive elements. Changes to the Highland Dancing format has resulted in the Friday becoming a high profile day for dancing with the top dancers out to qualify for Saturday's finals. The Solo Piping competition introduced a Graded system which has enhanced the competition and increased the enjoyment of officials, competitors and spectators. Shinty was reintroduced with great success, attracting high calibre competitions.

2003 Cowal extended to a 3-day event with the introduction of the Scottish National Highland Dancing Championships and the 5k Cowal Run. Cowal Gathering will continue to go from strength to strength seeking to foster the traditions and match the achievements of earlier generations and provide a mecca for enthusiasts and participants in Scottish and Highland Tradition.

Nowadays Cowal attracts more than 3,500 competitors many from Scottish Communities-in-exile from throughout Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.