Highland Games Canstein

Highland Games Canstein — Scotland in the middle of the Sauerland

Do you imagine Scotland to be cold, foggy, and far away? It can be different in the Hochsauerland. In the tiny Canstein district of Marsberg, somewhere between the Diemel and Eggegebirge, a meadow transforms into an open piece of highlands at the end of June — with kilts, cabers, and bagpipes. The Highland Games Canstein started in 2014 as a small club festival and now attracts several thousand visitors from all over North Rhine-Westphalia, Hesse, and Lower Saxony.

What are Highland Games, actually?

The Scottish Highland Games are a traditional sports competition that dates back to the 11th century and originally served to select the best warriors and messengers of a clan. In Canstein, the participating clans compete against each other in the classic program: caber tossing (Caber Toss), stone throwing, tug-of-war, hammer throw, straw bale throwing. Fun and togetherness are prioritized over sporting ambition — anyone who founds a clan and competes in a kilt is welcome.

Pipe Bands and Live Music

The soundtrack to the event comes from real bagpipes. "The Pride of Scotland Pipes & Drums" accompanies the ceremonial flag raising on Friday evening, and the "Highland Dragon Pipe Band" opens the competition on Saturday. In between, folk and rock bands like "Oak Wood Paddys", "In Search of a Rose", or "Red Cups" play on stage. A cover band takes over late in the evening, transforming the festival tent into a Highland disco until after midnight.

Whisky, Kilt Rental, and Sauerland Beer

Besides the sports program, there's what makes you stay: regional Sauerland beer, a remarkable selection of Scotch whisky, burgers, and pulled pork from a charcoal grill. The kilt rental at the entrance ensures that even spontaneous visitors can join the clans in stylish attire. The atmosphere is warm, familial, and emphatically uncommercial — admission and parking are free.

Camping in the middle of nature

If you don't want to drive back to your hometown every evening, you can camp directly at the festival grounds. Arrival from 11 AM on Friday, no reservation needed, no electricity, but toilets and showers available around the clock. The surrounding Sauerland region offers hiking trails, reservoirs, and castles — an extended weekend is worthwhile.

Marsberg and the Hochsauerland

Canstein is one of twenty districts of Marsberg, a Hanseatic city with around 19,000 inhabitants in the far east of North Rhine-Westphalia, right on the border with Hesse. Marsberg belongs to the Hochsauerlandkreis, the largest district in NRW by area. Canstein Castle and the historic town center form an impressive backdrop for a festival that takes Scotland as its model.