History | Halkirk Highland Games, Scotland

The World Highland Games Heavy Events Championships were officially registered at Stationers Hall, London (Reg No: 28203) in 1973 by David Webster O.B.E. (Honorary Life President of the Commonwealth Games Council of Scotland). Webster first became involved in organising Games in 1947 and his first major international Games was in 1963 when 1,500 competitors participated in the Boys Brigade World Highland Games.

In 1964, he took some of the top Scottish “Heavies” on a tour of North America, the line up included the great Bill Anderson M.B.E., Jay Scott, Sandy Sutherland, Louis McInnes, Jock McColl and Andy Robin. They toured major venues in New York State, Baltimore, Washington, Rochester, Toronto and Montreal. This was the first of many world tours and interest was so great that the idea of a World Championship was born during a successful tour of Australia in 1972. With the Championships being officially registered in 1973, Webster consolidated the heavy events over the next few years with numerous international TV appearances to gain the profile sought by sponsors. The profile of the “Heavies” soared after they competed in the Queen’s Jubilee Highland Games at Blair House, organised by Webster.

The World Championships first took place in 1980, in Pomona southern California, near Los Angeles and have been held ever since. It is an invitational event, to ensure that only the best compete against the best. Webster has an Advisory Council who help with organising such a prestigious event. The roll of champions engraved on the Webster Cup is;