Highland Games Pullman City

Scotland in the Lower Bavarian Western Town

Pullman City in Eging am See (Passau district, Lower Bavaria) is Germany's second-largest "living Western town" — a theme park that has presented a replica of an 1880s American pioneer town with a saloon, sheriff's office, stables, and shows since 1995. Once a year, the Western town becomes the stage for a seemingly foreign themed festival: the Highland Games, the Scottish Highland tradition.

The Scottish Disciplines

The Highland Games are a traditional Scottish sports festival with roots dating back to the 11th century. The focus is on strength and skill disciplines, originally held by Scottish Highland clans as a test of physical fitness:

• Caber Toss — throwing a log (approx. 5–6 m long, 50–90 kg heavy), which must be thrown vertically overhead.
• Stone Put — throwing a stone (approx. 8–10 kg).
• Hammer Throw — throwing a blacksmith's hammer with a handle.
• Weight for Distance — throwing a weight (approx. 12–25 kg).
• Sheaf Toss — throwing a sheaf of straw with a pitchfork over a crossbar.
• Tug-of-War — a team discipline.

Scotland Meets Wild West Atmosphere

The special touch of the Pullman City Highland Games comes from the unusual setting: while men in kilts march through the streets with drums and bagpipes, the replica Western saloons and wooden houses of the pioneer town stand next to them. The saloon serves Single Malts from Scotland instead of Kentucky whisky, traditional Scottish folk bands play, and Highland dances are performed. It's a deliberate, tongue-in-cheek themed week that delights audiences.

Pullman City — Bavaria's Western Town

Pullman City Bavaria (often called Pullman City I or Hauzenberg-Eging-Pullman to distinguish it from its sister city in Hasselfelde in the Harz mountains) is located on the outskirts of Eging am See, about a 30-minute drive north of Passau. Around 40 themed events take place here throughout the year — Western weddings, live concerts, medieval weekends, and also the Highland Games. The park has its own hotels and accommodation in replica pioneer houses.