Duke of Rothesay Highland Games Pavilion
Exhibition about the Braemar Gathering and the Highland Games, with three galleries and a café, in Braemar’s memorial park.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Duke of Rothesay Highland Games Pavilion stands in the Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park in Braemar, the home of the Braemar Gathering. It was unveiled in 2018 by Queen Elizabeth II and is named after the then Duke of Rothesay, now King Charles III.
The Braemar Gathering has been held in its present form since 1832, and Queen Victoria attended in 1848. The Pavilion tells this story and explains the sport and music of the Highland Games.
Visitors explore on their own, with staff or volunteers on hand to answer questions. The J.S Milne Gallery explains events such as caber tossing and piobaireachd and shows photographs of past Gatherings and trophy cabinets. The Kaufmann Exhibition Hall, with its decorated octagonal ceiling, covers the Braemar Royal Highland Society and the Gathering. The Baxter Room shows the Gathering banner, an honour board of society presidents, archive documents and photographs of recent winners. The historic Inver Stone, a lifting stone, is also on display.
Highlights
- J.S Milne Gallery on caber tossing and piobaireachd
- Kaufmann Exhibition Hall with octagonal ceiling
- Baxter Room with the Gathering banner and archive
- The historic Inver Stone
- The Gathering Café
Permanent exhibitions
- J.S Milne Gallery – Explains Highland Games events such as caber tossing and piobaireachd, with photographs of past Gatherings and trophy cabinets.
- Kaufmann Exhibition Hall – The story of the Braemar Royal Highland Society and the Braemar Gathering in a room with a decorated octagonal ceiling.
- Baxter Room – The Gathering banner, an honour board of society presidents, archive documents and photographs of recent winners.
- Founded
- 2019
- Operated by
- Braemar Royal Highland Society
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Children & teens | £1free up to age 4 · Suggested donation for children aged 5 to 11. |
|---|
Entry is by suggested donation: £5 for adults, £1 for children aged 5 to 11, and free for under-5s.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The Pavilion page gives no access information. For the Gathering in the park, the organisers list a disabled area in the car parks and no-step access to the games park.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 4 |
|---|
Reduced suggested donation for children aged 5 to 11; the Pavilion page mentions a Junior Highland Games section.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Ember coaches serve Braemar from Aberdeen and Dundee, and Stagecoach route 201 runs between Aberdeen and Braemar (as listed on the Gathering website).
By car
Free parking
Free parking for cars and coaches.
Braemar is about 60 miles west of Aberdeen on the A93.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
The Gathering Café in the Wirth Family Room (Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 16:00) serves hot and cold drinks, scones and biscuits; no lunches were offered in 2026. Gifts by Scottish makers are sold through the online shop.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
- Weddings / ceremonies
The Pavilion can be hired exclusively for dinners, intimate weddings and corporate events; smaller groups can use the private dining or meeting room. AV facilities and catering are available, and events can include Highland Games demonstrations for up to 80 people.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Good to know | Visits are self-guided; staff or volunteers answer questions. The Inver Stone can be tried by arrangement via the Pavilion team. |
|---|
