Crowds wowed by Highland spirit
Biggest turnout in years flock to great event
Crowds turned out in force as home athletes put in an impressive showing at the Balquhidder, Lochearnhead and Strathyre Highland Games last weekend.
Stuart Anderson, from Lochearnhead, emerged victorious as overall heavyweight champion while Lottie Cameron – also from the village – was the first woman across the line in the hill race. Steve Rawlinson of Killin was the first man to finish the hill race.
Organisers were delighted with the way the event unfolded on Saturday – pointing to what they say was their biggest turnout in years. More than 2500 people made their way to the Games, which has been running in the area for more than 200 years.
Events got underway at around 10.30am with the piping before the Highland Dancing began at midday.
The march of the clans followed, led by chieftain Sir Malcolm MacGregor of Clan MacGregor who was accompanied by his wife Lady MacGregor, formerly the TV journalist Fiona Armstrong.
Heavy weight competitions continued into the afternoon while the athletics races and the hill race also took place.
Folk band Pure Malt then took to the stage in the refreshments tent for a special knees-up to round the day off.
Highland Games president Gus Cameron hopes those who attended the event enjoyed their day out r. He said: “It was a brilliant day, and we had our biggest crowd in years. I think the good weather certainly contributed.
“The competitions were really well represented and we were pleased that local boy Stuart Anderson managed to do so well.
“The piping was also well attended and we had more than 40 dancers taking part in the Highland Dancing.”
He explained that the event typically attracts people visiting the area from all over the world who are keen to taste a traditional Highland Games experience.
He added: “There were even 70 scouts from Toulouse in France who came along. They were actually camping in the woods nearby.”
Stuart Anderson was overall heavyweight champion after finishing either first or second in each individual event, while Lottie Cameron’s victory in the women’s hill race represented her second win in the event.
In the piping, John Dew from Glasgow was crowned overall senior champion while Brodie Watson Massey from Edinburgh was junior solo winner.
And in the Highland Dancing Christy Graham (Dundee) won in the under-13 category, Bethany Clark (Inverbervie) was victorious in the 13 and under-17 years category and Cameron Walker (Denny) was adults champion.