Record start to games season
Records tumbled in front of visitors and competitors from across Scotland and beyond at Blackford Highland Games on Saturday.
Former wrestler Andy Robin was chieftain for the day in what is traditionally the curtain-raiser for the local Highland Games season.
Highland dancing, caber tossing and cycling were among a range of attractions surrounded by trade stands, side shows and charity stalls. • See the centre pages for results and more pictures.
Blackford Highland Games saw two records tumble in front of visitors and competitors from around Scotland and beyond at the weekend.
Chieftain for the day - which boasted decent conditions - was former wrestler Andy Robin. He was fittingly overseeing an event in which a show of strength set a new target in throwing the 56lb weight over the bar. Vlad Tulacek of the Czech Republic cleared 16ft 4ins – beating last year’s record by one inch.
Another Blackford record also fell to the hands of Jordan Charters, of Dolphinton, who cleared the high jump bar at 190cm, smashing the benchmark of 170cm.
And Strathardle’s tug-of-war team helped set up a weekend of wins, scooping the titles at Blackford and Blair Atholl.
The family- friendly games – in its 148th outing – brought together track and field events with some keenly contested local schools competitions drawing some of the biggest cheers of the day. The Community School of Auchterarder’s primary retained the schools’ silver salver.
Highland dancing, caber tossing and cycling were among a range of attractions surrounded by trade stands, side shows and charity stalls.
Photographer Angus Findlay was there on behalf of the Herald to capture the day’s action.