Home » Bartending News » Panda Highland Games Take Edinburgh by Storm
Panda & Sons, the acclaimed Edinburgh cocktail bar helmed by Iain McPherson, just wrapped one of the most ambitious bar takeovers we’ve seen in years — and it all ended with a Highland Games showdown at a literal castle.
From June 2–5, the first-ever International Panda Highland Games brought together 12 world-class bars from 9 countries for four nights of guest shifts, cultural exchange, and all-out celebration. Panda & Sons became a global cocktail embassy — one that just happened to end with bartenders tossing cabers on the lawn of Winton Castle.
“I’ve been lucky enough to travel the world and soak up the cultures of so many amazing countries,” said McPherson. “It felt right to create something here in Scotland that gives back to the global community — but with our own style of fun, hospitality, and heritage.”
Each night featured guest shifts from four standout bars, each bringing their own energy, story, and menus — all while honoring the unique hospitality DNA of their home cities.
The guest list read like a dream lineup:
Each team brought a bespoke menu, a unique vibe, and a whole lot of love!
“This wasn’t just a bar takeover,” said Freddy Andreasson of El Gallo Altanero. “Behind that secret bookcase is a team that throws you headfirst into Scotland — dram in one hand, Buckfast in the other. It was cultural immersion, hospitality as heritage.”
And yes — the week ended with a full-on Highland Games at Winton Castle, kilts and all.
In true Panda fashion, the Games weren’t just about cocktails. Each guest bartender received a bottle of ‘Unite the Clans’, a limited-edition Scotch whisky created for the event in partnership with Blind Summit Whisky. Proceeds benefit Wildcat Haven, a conservation charity protecting the endangered Scottish wildcat — a species even rarer than the giant panda.
“This was the biggest event we’ve ever done,” said McPherson. “And it’s only the beginning. We want to keep growing the Panda Highland Games, bring even more Scottish hospitality to the table, and continue celebrating what makes our industry so vibrant.”
With packed nights, nonstop energy, and a truly international crowd of talent and brands — this first edition of the Panda Highland Games set the bar high for what bartender events can look like. And if early buzz is any sign, this is just the start of something global.