Vintage Cowal Highland Games Sterling Silver Medal Fob

Fully Hallmarked 1949 by Glasgow Maker T S Cuthbert, Buchanan Street, Glasgow - Birmingham hallmark

The Cowal Highland Games

The first record of an organised Highland games in the town is in 1871, the same year as the Argyllshire Gathering in Oban started. In subsequent years games were held at New Year. The organisation of the Cowal events and other games around Scotland was due to a wide interest in Highland sports, partly stemming from Queen Victoria's love of Scotland.

The event that would evolve into the Cowal Gathering was first held on 11 August 1894, and organised by local man Robert Cameron.

1906 saw the introduction of a pipe band competition for Army bands, at the suggestion of Malcolm McCulloch. 25 bands entered in 1909, the first year that civilian bands were allowed to compete. The Argyll Shield, donated in 1906 by Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll, is still awarded to the winning band in the Grade 1 competition.