What are the top Guinness World Records claimed in Scotland?

Guinness World Records is celebrating 70 years as the authority on achievements, including the most kilts put on in one minute and the farthest distance to throw a haggis.

The organisation’s first volume was published on August 27, 1955, and sparked worldwide curiosity about record-breakers.

The book was inspired by a debate at a shooting party in the early 1950s in County Wexford, Ireland, which was attended by Sir Hugh Beaver, the then-managing director of the Guinness Brewery.

In 1954, Sir Hugh had the idea of a Guinness promotion based on the settling of pub arguments, and recruited researchers from Fleet Street to compile a book of facts and figures, before publishing the first volume of the Guinness Book of Records.

Since then, thousands of records and milestones in sports, technology, the human body, collections, and super skills have been authenticated and included in the books, which have sold 155 million copies worldwide.

Over the years, multiple records have been broken in Scotland, including the world’s shortest street, the longest fast without solid food, and being home to the oldest golf course still in use.

Most kilts put on in one minute

The most kilts put on in one minute is five, achieved by radio presenter Jennifer Reoch (UK) in the studios of Heart Breakfast with Des Clarke & Jennifer Reoch in Glasgow, UK, in celebration of St Andrews Day on November 30, 2023.

Most travelled toy ship

Launched in September 2020 by Jax, Kai and Fynn Lewis (Trinidad and Tobago), in collaboration with Ollie and Harry Ferguson (UK), the most travelled toy ship (named Adventure 2) covered 15,439 km (9,593.34 mi) up to November 19, 2021.

The vessel was released off Guyana, sailed through the Caribbean Sea, into the Gulf of Mexico, up the east coast of the USA, then out into the Atlantic Ocean before its signal was lost.

Oldest Man to Ski Solo and Unsupported to the South Pole

As part of the preparation for his demanding trip, James Baxter pulled car tyres for some 5km along a beach.

He also hiked up and down hills near his Edinburgh home carrying a 30-kg rucksack packed with bags of bird seed.

Fastest Solo Munro-Bagging

Jamie Aarons (USA) climbed all 282 of Scotland’s 3,000-ft (914-m) mountains in 31 days 10 hours and 27 min between May 26, and June 26, 2023. She beat Donnie Campbell’s previous record, set in 2020, by more than 12 hours.

Her route involved a total ascent of 135,366 m (444,114 ft) – equivalent to 16 full summits of Everest. She walked 1,315 km (817 mi) on foot, covered 1,249 km (776 mi) by bike and 11.6 km (7.2 mi) by kayak, sleeping around four hours a night.

Fasting Longest Without Solid Food

Angus Barbieri (born 1940) of Tayport in Fife, UK, lived on tea, coffee, water, soda water and vitamins in Maryfield Hospital, Dundee, UK, from June 1965 to July 1966.

During this time, his weight declined from 472 lb (33 st 10 lb; 214 kg) to a healthy 178 lb (12 st 10 lb; 80.74 kg). Barbieri maintained his weight-loss and died in September 1990. 

Most caber tosses in three minutes

Andrew Murphie tossed 26 cabers in three minutes, in Grantown‑on‑Spey, on June 23, 2024.

Farthest distance to throw a haggis

Lorne Coltart threw a haggis 66 m (217 ft) at the Bearsden and Milngavie Highland Games in Glasgow on June 11, 2011.

Largest haggis

A 1,010 kg (2,226 lb 10 oz) haggis was created by Hall’s of Scotland at Fenton Barns, North Berwick, UK on June 18, 2014.

Largest Dashing White Sergeant dance

The largest Dashing White Sergeant dance, including 1,453 participants, was achieved by the Nairn Associated Schools Group on June 22, 2007 in Nairn, Scotland.

Highest-ranking penguin

Edinburgh Zoo’s King penguin, named Sir Nils Olav III, was promoted to Major General, recognized as the highest-ranking penguin in the world. The ranking was confirmed as of 21 August 21, 2023.