Games day is one of the best
dancing Highland Stevie Richardson Organisers of this year’s Blairgowrie and Rattray Highland Games, held on Sunday in Bogle’s Field, have described it as one of the best in recent years.
The day was blessed with good weather and there was a good turnout of competitors and spectators.
The piping, dancing and local heavyweight competitions got under way in the morning before the parade, led by Blairgowrie, Rattray and District Pipe Band, and the official opening of the games.
This year, in a break with tradition, the games were declared opened by Stevie Richardson, a double amputee as a result of being blown up by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan who now competes in adaptive strongmen competitions and took on the Ardblair Stones challenge while at the games.
Stevie said: “I would like to thank the committee for their invitation to be here, and I would like to thank the pipe band - it has been many years since I had the honour of marching with a pipe band.
“Since I have been injured I have done many competitions and events but this is the first time I have come to a Highland games and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Stevie was also presented with a plaque in honour of his efforts by games chieftain Laurence Blair Oliphant who welcomed everyone to the event.
He said: “There are lots of people I have to welcome today but above them all is the sun.
“We are very proud to have Stevie here and all the members of Clan Young, representatives of which took part in the parade, and which has local connections having fought at the Battle of Glasclune - not a mile from here - in 1391.
“We have got piping competitions, dancing, a hill race, the heavyweight competitions, a dog show and much, much more - everything you could want at a games.”
Certificates were presented to four supporters of the games in recognition of their outstanding services to the event.
Jim Lang from Lang’s Catering, Willie Duncan and committee members Margaret Wotherspoon and Bob Ellis were all thanked by the Chieftain for their support of the games over many years.
One of the biggest attractions on the day was the Ardblair Stones challenge, which gives people of all ages and abilities a chance to try lifting huge, specially-made stones, hewn from a local quarry, on to the top of a berry barrel.
Kenny Simm from East Lothian, who previously completed all nine stones at the Blairgowrie Rugby Ale Festival last year, set a new games record on Sunday, lifting the nine stones - the heaviest of which is an incredible 152kg in weight - in 31.89 seconds.
The heavyweight events, which included a junior competition for under 18-year-olds, tested the strength and ability of the competitors.
Christian Ramsay won the junior competition with Pete Hart winning the local competition again this year. This year also marked the 13th year in a row that he has won the Robertson and Black cup for the local caber competition. The open heavyweight competition was won by Lucas Wenta.
There was a good number of entries in the Highland dancing competitions as well, which also drew big crowds.
The annual Blairgowrie v Rattray tug o’ war challenge - which organisers say involves the longest tug o’war rope in the UK - was won by Blairgowrie again this year, while in the open tug o’ war competition, Strathardle were beaten 2-0 in the final by Moffat.
There were also good entry numbers in the track and field events with the running and biking competitions for adults and juniors - including the new primary school relay race and junior hill race - and the piping competitions all well subscribed.
The Rotary Club of Blairgowrie supported the mini Highland Games for youngsters this year and reported that a good number of children enjoyed ‘wellie wanging’, haggis throwing and tossing a mini caber.
President Deborah Rogers said: “It was good to support the games again and we were delighted to be involved in the mini Highland games this year. It was a great day, the weather was kind to us and everyone had fun.”
The companion dog show was once again organised by charity Staffie Smiles Rescue and featured events for pedigree dogs as well as novelty classes.
Organisers said that the show proved to be even more popular than in previous years with over 100 dogs entered in various classes - an increase of around 40 per cent on last year’s entry numbers - and raising around £1000.
Blairgowrie and Glens councillor, Tom McEwan, was at the games with his family. He said: “This has been another very well organised Highland Games.
“It was great to see Clan Young here and lots of visitors to the area enjoying the games as well, which is always encouraging to see. The junior heavyweight competitions and mini Highland Games are a fantastic way to encourage a whole new generation to support their local games and these wonderful traditions.” caber Tossing the