Portmahomack Gala, an annual, week-long event culminating with Gala Saturday.
Gala days remain as much a part of the summer calendar in some parts of Scotland as they did over 200 years ago when they were held to mark successful wins for worker’s rights – or simply to raise some cheer during tough economic times.
The first gala day in Scotland is thought to have been held in the 1770's in Loanhead, when miners - and their children - from the Dryden Colliery were invited to a feast to celebrate the birthday of the landowner, Lord Lockhart of Carnwath. In 1871, the miners of Kirkcaldy celebrated the introduction of an eight-hour working day. Back then, tens of thousands of miners and their families would march to the gala fields in villages across Scotland — ending every year with the mighty miners’ gala in Edinburgh, where crowds could reach six figures.
Today’s galas might be more modest affairs, but they are still key events in local social calendars. Many galas have a week-long programme of events building up to Gala Day. And that’s exactly what you can expect to happen in Portmahomack! Come and join in in the fun and games!
