What is the minimum age to participate?

Minimum age is 12; activities are scaled so younger teens can join with supervision.

Can the event be run at venues other than Duns Castle?

Yes—the provider delivers the program to venues; confirm the exact meeting point when booking.

Are the activities safe for first-timers?

Yes—organizers provide safety briefings, supervision, and coaching for novices to ensure safe participation.

Is whisky tasting included?

Whisky tastings and Glenkinchie distillery tours are optional extras available at additional cost and should be requested when booking.

How long does the session last?

The core program runs about two to two and a half hours; extras extend that time.

What happens in wet weather?

Organizers adapt events to conditions and may modify or postpone elements if turf becomes unsafe; check with the supplier before your booking.

Mini Highland Games at Duns Castle: Caber Tosses, Axe Throwing & Whisky Tasting | Events | Axe Throwing

On the rolling lawns of Duns Castle in Duns, Scotland, the Mini Highland Games turn guests into competing clans for an energetic afternoon. Located in the Scottish Borders at Castle, Duns TD11 3NW, the program runs about two and a half hours and stitches together traditional tests of strength with playful team challenges. Expect caber tosses, axe throwing, wheatsheaf hurling, wellie hurling, simulated alpine-ski relays, and a final tug-of-war that determines the winning clan. Events are scaled so almost anyone twelve and up can take part, making this ideal for family gatherings, corporate retreats, stag and hen weekends, or private castle groups. Each clan is led by a Clan Chief in traditional dress, and optional cultural extras—pipers, a Highland dancer, or a bagpipe workshop—can be added at additional cost to heighten atmosphere. There’s also an option to include a Glenkinchie distillery tour or whisky tasting, a pairing that introduces a local flavor and gives adults a relaxed way to round off the afternoon. Beyond the activities themselves, the site highlights regional character: clipped stone walls and the castle façade provide a dramatic backdrop, while the underlying soil and turf affect footing during heavy weather. Organizers bring equipment and safety briefings, run lightweight coaching for novices, and keep group sizes small (about ten per clan) so every participant gets time and encouragement. Logistics note: meeting details sometimes list Whitekirk Hill, North Berwick, East Lothian, EH39 5PR as a rendezvous point for certain bookings, but the supplier will deliver the program directly to venues including Duns Castle. The minimum age is 12, and organizers recommend comfortable footwear and a willingness to try unfamiliar activities rather than specialized athletic training. Allow two to three hours for the full session; optional extras such as extended entertainment or whisky pairings will add time and cost depending on your choices. Photographers will find bold action shots from the caber and axe stations, while group portraits against the castle keep make for memorable mementos. For visitors staying in Duns or nearby Berwickshire towns, this experience is a compact, highly social way to tap into local tradition while making something new to talk about after dinner. Bookings are tailored to the group; confirm minimum age, exact meeting point, and any extras when you reserve to ensure the right mix of coaching and ceremonial flair. The Mini Highland Games at Duns Castle are equal parts competition and celebration—a rollicking, hands-on introduction to Highland sport framed by historic stone and open sky. Whether you come seeking team bonding, a unique wedding weekend activity, or a laugh with friends, this is one of the most engaging, photo-ready ways to experience Scottish culture in the Borders without complex logistics or physical commitment.