2016 Highland Gathering is bigger and better
Bands from The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo stole the show as residents and tourists enjoyed an action- packed Highland Games in Crieff at the weekend.
The annual Crieff Highland Gathering, which is one of the biggest highland games in Perthshire, featured performances from the New Zealand Army Band and the Nepal Army band.
The audience was also entertained by Philadelphia singer Charlie Zahm, folk act Breabach and Highland music exponents Skipinnish who played in the Glenturret Music Tent.
Meanwhile the Ryder Cup - one of the most iconic trophies in the world of sport – was also on show this year under the watchful eye of chieftain David Murchie, the Crieff Golf Club professional.
This was all in addition to the traditional Highland Games competitions with the heavyweight, native heavyweight and light field Scottish championships as well as athletics, cycling and tug of war contests.
Revellers also enjoyed an extensive programme of Highland dancing, stalls, a funfair and an array of pipe bands.
Meanwhile, a new attraction for this year was the Taste of Tartan food and drink marquee showcasing the best of Scottish fare with local chef Jason Henderson serving up cookery demonstrations and samples.
The Gathering’s chairman Ian Stewart hailed the event a great success and said planning is already underway for next year.
He told the Herald: “We did it again, after the success of last year’s event the challenge was to at least replicate that - if not go bigger and better - and I think it’s fair to say we did!
“The feedback from the public has been exceptionally good and everyone appears to have had a fantastic time.
“The aim was to create an event where there was something for everyone and although we will always be a traditional Highland Games, the added attractions - like the Ryder Cup, the Glenturret Music area and the Taste of Tartan food and drink area - just add to the occasion.”
Local businessman Mr Stewart said he was in no doubt that the two acts from the Tattoo - The Nepal and New Zealand Army bands – had stolen the show.
He said: “They were a spectacular sight with their precision marching, colourful outfits and musical talent and the Haka in front of the Chieftain’s tent was just something else.
“We owe a huge debt of gratitude to our former Chieftain Brigadier Melville Jameson for all his assistance in organising this and hopefully Crieff Highland Gathering will continue to see Tattoo acts in the future.”
Dating back to 1870, the Gathering is one of Scotland’s longest-running Games.
It is also popular with Trainspotting star Ewan MacGregor, a former chieftain, whose family are still based in Crieff and attend the historic event each year.