What to Buy for a Highland Games Event

A Highland Games shopping list needs more than cabers and competition stones. You also need practical equipment for measuring throws, recording results, managing participants, serving refreshments, and keeping the site usable in changing weather. Use your event schedule and participant numbers to confirm quantities before ordering. Check specialist sports equipment early, then buy consumables and refreshments close to the event once registrations and dietary requirements are final.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Foldable tablesqty 10
Folding chairsqty 80
Beer tablesqty 8
Bar stoolsqty 12
Dressing room tablesqty 2

Sports equipment

Cabersqty 3
Competition stonesqty 3
Conesqty 12
Tug of war rope
Vestsqty 30
Conesqty 30
Measuring tapesqty 4
Stopwatchesqty 4
Starter pistol
Rubber throwing ringsqty 6
Exercise matsqty 4
Race numbersqty 40
Scoreboardsqty 4
Prize display

Equipment

Portable sound system
Microphonesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Coolersqty 6
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Gas burnersqty 2
Gas cylindersqty 2
Handheld megaphone

Tableware

Glassesqty 120
Coffee cupsqty 100
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Pouring jugsqty 8
Serving spoonsqty 10

Decorations

Scottish flagsqty 12
Buntingqty 8
Tableclothsqty 12
Race signageqty 12
Chalkboardsqty 6
Cable tiesqty 100

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lampsqty 8
Batteriesqty 24

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Safety tapeqty 6
Work glovesqty 12
Hearing protectionqty 20
Fire extinguishersqty 2

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Serving traysqty 8
Food warmersqty 4
Kitchen scale

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Trash grabbersqty 4
Bucketsqty 4
Spongesqty 12
Dish brushesqty 4
Broom setsqty 3
Mopsqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Hamburger buns - 120 pieces
- Beef burgers - 100 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 20 pieces
- Cheddar slices - 120 pieces
- Bacon - 5 kilograms
- Lettuce - 10 heads
- Tomatoes - 8 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 5 kilogram
- Onions - 5 kilograms
- Pickles - 4 jars
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 4 bottles
- Mustard - 3 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 3 bottles
- Fries - 25 kilogram
- Deep-frying oil - 10 liter
- Salt - 2 packs
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Garlic powder - 1 jar
- Potato salad - 8 kilograms
- Coleslaw - 8 kilograms
- Sandwich rolls for snacks - 100 pieces
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Bar snacks - 5 kilogram
- Cheese crackers - 6 packs
- Apples - 8 kilograms
- Bananas - 6 kilograms
- Grapes - 5 kilograms
- Brownies - 120 pieces
- Cake - 4 kilogram
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Hot chocolate - 6 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 10 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blue - 12 crates
- Spa Rood - 4 crates
- Ginger beer - 4 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 6 crates
- Beer - 12 crates
- Cider - 4 crates
- Red wine - 12 bottles
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Whisky - 4 bottles
- Lemonade syrup - 3 bottles
- Lemons - 3 kilogram
- Ice cubes - 30 kilograms
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 3 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 box
- Cleaning wipes - 4 packs
- Rubber gloves - 12 pairs
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Freezer bags - 2 boxes

Tips

Plan at least one clearly marked competition station for each event running at the same time, and keep spare cones, measuring tapes, and score sheets available for resets or mistakes.
Allow one table for registration and scoring, plus extra folding tables for refreshments, equipment, and prizes. Put chairs where judges, volunteers, and participants will actually wait rather than leaving them all at the finish area.
For a full outdoor day, provide shelter for registration, scoring, refreshments, and changing. Party tents should be secured before the forecast is checked again, because wind and rain can make late setup difficult.
Test the portable sound system, microphones, extension cords, and power strips at the site at least one day before the event. Keep the handheld megaphone as a backup if the main system fails or the competition spreads across a large field.
Separate competition equipment into labelled groups before loading it: cabers and stones, throwing rings, tug-of-war rope, vests, mats, cones, and timing equipment. Pack prizes, race numbers, scoreboards, and the prize display separately so they are not buried under heavy items.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for Highland Games?: For the listed events, plan for cabers, competition stones, a tug-of-war rope, throwing rings, cones, vests, measuring tapes, stopwatches, exercise mats, race numbers, and scoreboards. Add one portable sound system with microphones, plus a megaphone as backup.
How many tables and chairs do I need for Highland Games?: Start with one registration and scoring table, then add separate tables for refreshments, equipment, and prizes. Provide one chair per judge or seated volunteer, and add enough seating for participants waiting between events; confirm the final count after registrations close.
What should I buy for refreshments at a Highland Games?: Plan coolers for chilled drinks, coffee machines and kettles for hot drinks, and gas burners with gas cylinders if food or drinks need heating on site. Buy quantities only after you know the participant and spectator count, and use the collected dietary requirements to avoid last-minute substitutions.
When should I order Highland Games equipment and prizes?: Order specialist equipment, prizes, medals, tents, and sound equipment several weeks before the event so you have time to check delivery and condition. Buy perishable refreshments shortly before the event, after registrations and the weather forecast have been reviewed.

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