Perthshire Advertiser

Under starter’s orders for the new season

Highland Games start off in Blackford

- Rachel Clark

The 2018 Highland Games season gets underway this weekend, with two gatherings in Perth and Kinross.

The summer calendar kicks off with Blackford Highland Games on Saturday, May 26, and the Atholl Gathering on Saturday and Sunday.

The first Highland Games of the season is sure to be a hit in Blackford’s games field.

There will be a range of heavyweigh­t competitio­ns, as well as piping, Highland dancing, track and field and cycling, including the popular De’il tak the Hindmost.

The triple jump and long jump, which were introduced last year, will also be making a welcome return.

Local primary schools in the region will be looking to win the hotly-contested primary schools’ relay competitio­n, and win the Highland Games Silver Salver.

Chieftain for this year’s games is Bill Ross, former middleweig­ht wrestling world champion.

Bill said: “What a great honour it is to be asked to be chieftain at Blackford Highland Games this year.

“I never thought all those years ago I would be standing in this position back here where it all began.”

The park will open at 10am for the heavyweigh­ts and Highland dancing competitio­ns, and the games will officially open when the pipe bands are paraded into the park at 12.30pm.

Entry to Blackford Highland Games costs £7, concession­s £5, children £2 and cars cost £1 to park.

The action then switches to Highland Perthshire with the two-day Atholl Gathering The Atholl Highlander­s will be the stars of the show in the grounds of Blair Castle.

Saturday will begin with a talk about the history of the Atholl Highlander­s at 11am by Keren Guthrie, Blair Castle’s very own archivist in the castle’s ballroom.

The talk will look at how the regiment was granted its colours and the tradition of the annual parade, along with members of the Atholl Highlander regiment.

A highlight of the day will be the Atholl Highlander­s parade at 2.30pm in the forecourt of the Highland Perthshire castle until 3.45pm.

The parade, featuring the only private army in Europe, will be accompanie­d by the sound of the pipes and drums.

Following the spectacula­r parade, there will be a presentati­on of awards and trophies by Major General Michael Riddell-Webster CBE DSO.

Tickets for Keren Guthrie’s talk cost £5, including entry to the castle and gardens.

The grounds will then be brought back into life again on the Sunday, for their Highland Games.

Throughout the day there will be piping, heavyweigh­ts, track and field, tug o’ war and Highland dancing competitio­ns.

The day will be formally opened by Michael Murray, Marquis of Tullibardi­ne, and there will be a presentati­on of awards at the end of the day.

Entry to the Atholl Gathering is £7, seniors £5 and children £3.

Next week, Pitlochry gets ready to welcome back the town’s iconic Highland Nights.

The Highland Nights, hosted by the Vale of Atholl Pipe Band, will run every Monday at 7.30pm in the recreation ground throughout the summer season, giving tourists a taste of Perthshire and Highland culture.

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