Scottish Games Adorn Sychrov Castle in Cubes

For the twenty-fourth time, the Scots will gather at the Sychrov State Castle for the traditional Scottish Games. These games, along with tartans, kilts, Scottish bagpipes, and whisky, are an important part of Scotland’s rich culture, and they rank among the most significant Scottish Games in all of Europe. The Scottish Games date back to ancient times, with records indicating their existence as far back as the era of the Romans. This year, the event at Sychrov Castle in the Liberec region will take place from Saturday morning until late Saturday night, August 23 2025. Attendees can look forward to both local and international bands performing Scottish and Irish music, traditional dance exhibitions, and exciting weightlifting contests. On the evening of Friday 22 August, the castle courtyard will resonate with the music from the Alastair band, and there will also be guided whisky tastings held in the castle gallery.

Scottish games centuries ago

So how did the Scottish games come into existence? According to historical accounts, in 844, King Keneth MacAlpine of Scotland organized a three-day event to engage his army before battle. During these games, the next leader of the Scots selected the strongest and fastest warriors for his elite personal guard. Besides kings, local clan chiefs and nobles also organized games, and eventually, towns and villages took over the responsibility of organizing them. These games are no longer exclusive to Scotland; the Scots have successfully shared their rich traditions worldwide. The first Scottish Games in Eastern Europe were held in 2001 at Sychrov Castle, and since they were such a hit, they have become a regular event in the Czech Republic. This year marks the twenty-second time Sychrov will welcome the Scots.

Music, dance and whisky

The program on Saturday starts at 9:00 a.m., and promises both visitors and participants a wide array of Scottish and Irish music, traditional Scottish dance, historical displays, and classic weightlifting competitions. Since the very first year, Scottish dancing has been a part of the event, featuring various performances as well as workshops. There will be a special dance stage where people can join in on Scottish dance lessons throughout the day, guided by skilled dancers from the Caledonian, Glen, and Jizerský bodlák groups.

This year, the Scottish Games will be enhanced by the international Scottish pipers and drummers competition – The Silver Reed Competition. This competition will take place throughout the day in the Castle Park and welcomes all levels of Scottish bagpipe and drum players, from beginners to seasoned experts. The event organizers have also planned a special children’s program for the younger visitors, where they can participate in traditional Scottish weightlifting events and various fun skill challenges.

The games also celebrate whisky festivities, where guests can explore a stand operated by Fous Spirit (the team behind the Jindřiška věž whisky club) to sample dozens or even hundreds of Scotch whiskies. This year’s fourteenth edition will feature not just the main offerings from different distributors, but also whiskies from closed distilleries and special older vintages. The whisky program will also include guided tastings in the castle gallery, led by representatives from various brands both from the Czech Republic and abroad.

Traditional weightlifting competitions, golf and veterans

The central portion of the park will host traditional Scottish weightlifting competitions, including events like log toss, Scotch throw, and stone throw. Every visitor is invited to join qualification rounds and compete against both Czech and international participants. Competitions will include various events like weight throws, height challenges, stone throws, log tosses, and throws with a Scottish hammer.

Throughout the day, attendees can admire the elegance of vintage British cars, as the Castle Gardens will feature the 18th yearly gathering of British vintage car enthusiasts. Previous years have showcased classic brands like Rolls-Royce, Jaguar, and Lagonda.

A highlight of the Sychrov Scottish Games is the annual golf tournament, a sport that originated in Scotland. This year, this tournament will take place the day before the 24th Sychrov Scottish Games. Interestingly, male golfers must participate in the entire tournament dressed in traditional Scottish kilts. All day on Saturday, visitors can practice their golf swings under the guidance of experienced players and learn the rules of the game or compete for prizes for the most accurate shot at a distance of 50 yards.

Historical demonstrations and guided tours of the castle

As a tradition during the Scottish Games, all visitors will have free access to Sychrov Castle, allowing them to explore the castle’s exhibitions without needing a guide. This unique opportunity lets guests stop at locations that interest them, while they can quickly move past other areas they may find less engaging. Additionally, this year’s route will be new compared to previous years.

As is customary, the Scottish Games will be hosted by the excellent Marcela Škábová, with her puppet companion “Hamish” (voiced and operated by Tomáš Kapsa). For the third consecutive year, the legendary presenter from the early days of the Games, Tomáš Karger, will also join the Sychrov Scottish Games to guide the evening program.

Tickets for the Sychrov Scottish Games are priced at 1500 CZK at the gate (available until sold out). Children under 15 can attend for free. Children up to 15 years old, as well as those with disability (ZTP) and ZTP/P cards, are also welcome without charge, and dogs can enter for free (as long as they are on a leash, supervised by their owners, and any waste is cleaned up immediately). Additionally, a campsite is available right in front of Sychrov Castle, which can be booked from Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon.