Organisers hope for good turnout
It’s full steam ahead for this year’s Blairgowrie and Rattray Highland Games as the final plans for the popular annual event are put into place.
This year’s games take place this Sunday, September 3, at Bogle’s Field on Essendy Road on the outskirts of Blairgowrie.
The gates open at 10am and organisers are introducing a number of new events, stalls and attractions this year as well as the return of old favourites ensuring that there will be something for everyone.
This year, Clan Young will be attending the games. They can trace their history back to 1325 and took part in the famous Battle of Glascune, near Blairgowrie.
Charlie Blair Oliphant’s Ardblair Stones are back by popular demand, giving local heroes a chance to try lifting huge, specially-made stones, hewn from a local quarry, on to the top of a berry barrel.
The heavyweight events, including a juniors competition for under 18-year-olds, will test the strength and ability of the competitors and this year, wrestler David Low aka Bravehart, will be the commentator.
There will also be track and field events with running and biking competitions for adults and juniors, and Highland dancing and piping competitions.
The annual Blairgowrie v Rattray tug o’ war challenge - which organisers say involves the longest tug o’war rope in the UK - gives everyone a chance to join in the spirit of the event and take part.
Also back is the companion dog show organised by charity Staffie Smiles Rescue. There are a range of classes for pedigree dogs as well as novelty classes so everyone is in with a chance of winning.
This year the games’ organising committee has also been working with Active Schools coordinator Caroline Lawrie on two new events which they hope will encourage more younger people to take part in sporting events at their annual traditional event.
Primary school pupils from across East Perthshire will be participating in a relay race and while pupils of high school age will have their own hill race.
And the committee is also keen to encourage more people to take part in the traditional hill race wearing their kilts, with a bottle of Glenfiddich up for grabs for one lucky kilted runner.
Tickets for the games can be purchased at the gate of Bogle’s Field on the day, where payment must be made by cash. Entry costs £7 for adults - which includes a games programme and the chance to win one of two golden tickets entitling the bearer to a free lunch - £4 for children and concessions and £18 for a family of two adults and up to two children. Children under five years old are free. Car parking is £1.