Celebrating 150 years

Welcome to The Argyllshire Gathering Trust website

The Argyllshire Gathering was founded in 1871 when several families of Argyll decided they should get together annually to socialise and to compete against each other. It was a forerunner of Highland Games as we know them today. Since then, our association has developed and is now made up of members who have a strong connection with Argyll and are keen to promote Argyll both locally and in the wider world.

The Gathering, through its charity The Argyllshire Gathering Trust (AGT) founded in 2021 as a successor organisation to our previous charity The Argyll Piping Trust, set up in 1979, seeks to advance the education of the public in the art of Highland bagpipes, Scottish dancing, folk music and Scottish heritage and to advance Scottish heritage and culture through organising Highland games and other relevant events.

The current focus of AGT is to sponsor the annual Oban Games and its world class Piping Competitions and to fund, in partnership with Argyll and Bute Council, piping tuition in primary schools across Argyll. Over time AGT has an ambition to broaden further these activities across both existing and other areas of Scottish heritage and culture. Find out more about the work of the Trust here>.

For members, the Gathering holds a Ball and Dance each year in Oban and also hosts a variety of other social gatherings and dinners throughout the year.

To enquire about the Gathering, use the form on our Contact page>

Gathering Members: visit the Member pages here> (login required).

The Trust

The Trust seeks to advance the education of the public in the art of Highland bagpipes, Scottish dancing, folk music and Scottish heritage.

The Trust sponsors the Oban Games and Piping Competition and funds piping tuition in primary schools across Argyll in partnership with Argyll and Bute Council.

Find out more about the work of the Trust here>

Oban Games

We organise the Argyllshire Gathering Oban Games which are held every year on the fourth Thursday of August. The Games are a highlight of the summer for Gathering Members, the people of Oban and visitors from around the world.

Visit the Games website obangames.com

Piping Competition

We run the world's foremost solo Piping Competition. Held annually in Oban alongside the Oban Games, international pipers compete for prizes including the prestigious Gold and Silver Medals.

Visit the competition website pipingcompetition.com

Scottish Charity SC050614, regulated by the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR)

The work of the Argyllshire Gathering

The Trust

Oban Games

Piping Competition

The Argyllshire Gathering Trust