Global appeal of Inveraray Games

IT WAS an international affair at the Inveraray Highland Games on Tuesday as hundreds of visitors from all corners of the world flocked to Winterton Park.

The biggest contingent of foreign kilt-wearers was the Clan Campbell Society of North America, who were special guests of the Duke of Argyll.

Society members David and Cari Campbell, from California, explained that the American group are on a two-week tour of Scotland to learn about their Argyll ancestors.

David said: ‘It’s been wonderful and a great way to finish our tour. We’ve seen plenty of rain, which is fine, but we are glad to get some Californian sunshine today.’

A German branch of the Campbell family made the trip to Inveraray to celebrate their family heritage. Michael and Susane Enders, who live near Cologne, represent the Duke of Argyll throughout Germany and Austria as part of the German Clan Campbell Society.

It was fitting an international crowd was there to witness the final of the World Caber Championship.

Thirteen athletes, some from as far away as Germany, Poland and the Netherlands, took turns to toss the 20ft, 140lb caber.

After three rounds of competitive caber-tossing, Lorne Colthart, from Lismore and now Blair Atholl, was crowned world caber champion with an impressive performance in the final round.

Lorne is the first Scot since 2002 to win the World Caber Championship.