Records broken at Pitlochry
Thousands enjoy events
Thousands turned out to enjoy the sunshine at Pitlochry Highland Games on Saturday.
An 8000-strong crowd gathered on the town’s recreation ground to enjoy the spectacular show of piping and dancing, with brand new trophies presented and records broken.
Lorne Colthard from Blair Atholl broke two of the games’ heavyweight records, in what will be his final Pitlochry games as he plans to emigrate to of Atholl Pipe Band
Vale Canada next year.
Lorne’s throw of 83’10’’ in the local 28lb weight for distance and his throw of 153’3’’ in the local 16lb hammer throw saw him take two coveted records on the day, along with his wins in the local 16lbs shot put, local caber toss, open 16lb hammer throw, open caber toss, and open 56lb weight over the bar.
Games chieftain Lord Charles Butter said it was great to see two records broken.
He declared: “It is great for the games to have two records broken, although sadly Lorne is emigrating next year. As always with Pitlochry, the crowds are loving the games.”
Pitlochry saw two new cycling trophies at this year’s event, with Charles Fletcher taking home both accolades on the day.
He won the De’il Tak the Hindmost trophy, which went missing three years ago and was replaced this year by Australian Norman Gray – who won the event back in 1991.
Charles also claimed a brand new trophy for the Championship of the Highlands, carved from Cluniemore larch in Ballinluig by Kevin Grant from the town’s cycling shop Escape Route. Charles also came third in the 1600m handicap cycle.
The biggest track prizemoney of the day was £200 in the open 90 metres handicap sprint, which was won by a female athlete for the fourth year in a row.
Rianna Sterricks from Leithenburn Harriers took the win in an impressive 9.6 seconds by the narrowest of margins from Calum McWilliam and Greg Kelly from East
There was a bumper crowd at the recreation ground
Charles Fletcher won the De’il Tak the Hindmost and the Championship of the Highlands cycling trophies
Kilbride Athletics Club.
A highlight of the day came with the British Tug o’ War championships, with the winning prize money of £315 won in style by Strathardle.
The local lads faced stiff competition from secondplace Moffat Builders and third-placed Elgin A.
Games commentator, Colin Liddell, said: “This is an excellent games, with a good crowd and good weather with two records broken, and we had 15 bands in the street parade.”
The event, which marks the end of the Highland Games season in Perth and Kinross, attracted an international audience.
Chantal Cormaux travelled from the Netherlands specifically to attend the highlyanticipated event.
She said: “I came to Scotland especially for these games, I thought it was the one thing I had to do. This was on my bucket list.
“I’ve enjoyed myself, it’s such a beautiful day and the people have been very friendly.
“The tug o’ war has been my favourite, I came especially for the strength and heavyweights.”