Gearing up the Highland Games
This year’s Cumnock Highland Games is taking place on Sunday in the towns Woodroad Park and it is free entry.
The first Highland Games held in the town was in 2005, so it is now in its thirteenth year.
David Morgan, spokesman for the Games, said: “Unfortunately, there was no Cumnock Highland Games in 2017 but the Games are back this year and we hope that, with the support of everyone in Cumnock and the surrounding communities, and of course the many visitors that we welcome from further afield, the Games will go from strength to strength in the years to come.”
The Games have been organised by volunteers who form the organising committee with the aim of not only benefitting the local area but also raising the profile of Cumnock itself.
This Year’s Chieftain is Marion Gilliland. a wellknown businesswoman who has worked in the family business on Townhead Street in Cumnock since she left school.
Marion is chairwoman of Cumnock Business Association and has also spent the last 20 years liaising on behalf of the local business community with East Ayrshire Council and raised a whopping £ 15,000 for MND over the past three and half years.
She said: “It is such an honour to be invited to be this year’s Chieftain “and I am really looking forward to it. Unfortunately even as Chieftain I can’t control the weather but I am sure that the event will be a great success and that everyone who comes along will have a great time.”
Troon Black Rock Pipe Band, Maybole Pipe Band, Biggar Pipe Band and Kilmarnock Pipe Band will provide the entertainment.
Programme of Events: 10.30am Highland Dancing Competition begins 12.30pm Parade Departs Cumnock Square
1. pm Chieftain Marion Gilliland opens the Games 1.15pm Pipe Bands Competition begins 1.45pm Flower Arranging Demonstration organised by Mrs May McCrindle 1.30pm Highland Heavies Competition begins 2.30pm Sheep Dog Display by Neil Gibson of Girvan
3.45pm Flower Arranging Demonstration organised by Mrs May McCrindle 5.00pm Salute to the Chieftain followed by the Massed Pipes and Drums parade back to Cumnock Square.