I went to one in Scotland once, or may be twice, with Scottish cousins. It was very different from anything in the US. No admission charge, no food or drink, but everyone had their own flask of whisky. Nothing else going on atall other than the athletics, which actually held my attention. One thing was the same, though - I'm pretty sure most of the men attending didn't wear a kilt the rest of the year!

Here in the US I go to Irish and celtic festivals rather than highland games. I have no Scottish blood, although my wife has. I have offered to go to some Scottish events if she would come too, but she doesn't care to.

The local celtic festival does have highland games, though. I don't know if the Scottish athletes were better, or perhaps it's just that I am older and men throwing telephone poles has lost it's novelty, but I can't pretend that I find that part of it all that rivetting.

I am more interested in the food and drink, the things sold by the various vendors, and just hanging out in a kilt. At the celtic festival I am more than happy to combine Scottish food such as haggis or a bridie with Irish beer!