The 1911 Games, held on Thursday 7th September, had 13 athletic events on the programme.   On the track there were a girls race, a boys race, a 200 yards race, a 350 yards race, a half mile, two miles, an obstacle race and a sack race; Heavy events included open events at throwing the hammer, putting the stone, tossing the caber and local events at throwing the hammer, tossing the caber, the Society’s stone and hammer; the jumping events had open competition in the long leap, high jump and vaulting.   The entire Glasgow Herald list is reproduced below but there was a long article on the social side of the meeting at which the King and Queen again in attendance elsewhere in the paper and a good attendance of local people.   Special trains brought people from Aberdeen and Deeside and all roads led to Braemar with other sports including shooting abandoned for the day.   The Royal family were interested in the events and particularly the tug o’war between the Highlanders and the chauffeurs which was won by the Highlanders.   They were present between 3:30 and just after 5:00 pm. 

Another very good day for the Games.   Into 1912 and 

From the Aberdeen Daily Journal, September 5th, 1913

“A brilliant chapter was added to the history of the Braemar Gathering yesterday.   From daybreak until the day closed there no untoward circumstance marred the success of the meeting.   The weather – all important for such an event – was ideal for the great assemblage of spectators, if somewhat warm for the athletes who struggled for supremacy on the green sward of the Princess Royal Park. …….. The beautiful weather seconded the desire of many to be present to witness the clandmen’s welcome to the King and Queen and their family and from all directions – on foot, in horse-drawn vehicle, on cycle, foot-pedalled or motor driven, in motor car or motor ‘bus – thousands of people of both sexes, young and old, converged on the picturesque village of Braemar, nestling in the heart of the mountains. ……. The march of the warlike clansmen, in full Highland garb, led by swaggering pipers, with stalwart bearers holding their standards aloft; the beat of the drums, the skirling of the pipes, the glitter of claymore, Lochaber axe, and pike; the proximity to the historic braes of Mar, all reminiscent of the days when Highlanders fought and bled, and suffered for the Stuart cause, thrill even the time hardened visitor who has seen the muster and the march often before.”   That’s only a taste of the report in the Aberdeen Press & Journal on the day.   It does recreate the sense and atmosphere of occasion – and that’s before the royal family appear on the scene.   Braemar still has the sense of something special and athletes of the 21st century are heirs to that tradition.   The results of the actual games were as follows:

And in the local events –

 

 

From the Aboyne Games but the scenes, away from the Royals, at Braemar would not have been much different

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Hostilities in the First World War began in September, 1914 so there were no Games or Gathering then.   The Aberdeen Press & Journal reported thus:

The Games were of course restarted after the War.