The Shanghai Highland Games, organised by a small group of Scottish people living in China, will take place on September 12, 2026, in Shanghai, the country's largest city by population with approximately 25 million residents. The event, which debuted in 2025, will feature traditional Scottish athletics, food, and entertainment.
Event details and activities
The 2026 Games will consist of a day of traditional Scottish athletics and community spirit, with entertainment for all ages, including children's Highland Games activities. Traditional Scottish food such as haggis, neeps and tatties, and deep-fried Mars bars will be available.
This year's event will also feature an expanded bagpiping competition endorsed by The National Piping Centre of Scotland, showcasing talented pipers from across China. The competition will include categories for adult amateur pipers, practice chanter players, and more.
Organisers and community
The Games have been organised by Shanghai Scottish, a local community that celebrates Scottish heritage for locals and expats. According to the organisers, Shanghai is home to a "small but active" Scottish community and has its own football teams. In addition to the Highland Games, the city hosts other Scottish-themed events throughout the year, such as Burns Suppers.
The inaugural Shanghai Highland Games were held in 2025 at the Nord Anglia International School Shanghai in the Pudong district. That event celebrated Scottish culture, sport, and community, featuring piping, ceilidh music, and dancing. The Honorary Chieftain of the 2025 Games was 92-year-old Betty Barr, described by Shanghai Scottish as "one of Shanghai's most distinguished Scottish residents". Barr led the procession and officially opened the event alongside a pipe band, with her presence "beautifully bridging Shanghai's past and present Scottish connections".
History and legacy
Shanghai Scottish dates back to 1868, when the Shanghai Scottish Club was founded to field a cricket team against the Shanghai English. Today, it remains an important part of the city's expatriate community, bringing together Scottish, Chinese, and international communities.
The Shanghai Scottish Football Team is among the city's longest-running expat teams, welcoming players of all nationalities. It is an over-35 team that plays competitive football "with a friendly, social spirit, both on and off the pitch", according to Shanghai Scottish. The organisation also has its own tartan, registered in 2012, inspired by the Scottish Regiment of the Shanghai Volunteer Corp, with colours representing both Scotland and Shanghai.
More information about the Shanghai Highland Games can be found on the Shanghai Scottish website.
