Bigger, brighter and better Brodick Highland Games
Brodick Highland Games saw the biggest assembly of pipe bands in recent years, with six pipe bands making a magical sound as the massed pipe bands entertained the crowds at Ormidale Park on Saturday.
Brodick was packed for the games from early morning. Visitors poured off the ferries for the games and despite some weather disruption to the MV Isle of Arran everyone got here and got away without any problems. The Lochranza crossing was also busy.
The new bus terminus was where the bands warmed up and by the start time of 11.15am the main street was thronged with spectators. Leading the bands was Isle of Arran Pipe Band, resplendent in their new kilts. Newlycrowned Scottish champions, Kintyre Schools Pipe Band, were back this year, joined by the Isle of Cumbrae, Kilbarchan, Kirkintilloch and Maybole bands. Not since the Queen visited the games in 1997 has there been as many bands. There were seven that year.
The day was largely dry and warm which encouraged a large crowd who enjoyed events throughout the day, but with an official attendance of 3,850 numbers were slightly down on last year.
There was no shortage of entries for the heavy events which saw a healthy field of 13 men battle it out for the prizes. Seven times Scotland’s strongest man Jamie Barr was also due to compete at the games, but a rib injury forced him to sit them out.
He did, however, bring the world famous McGlashan Stones. The atlas stones weighing between 110kg and 150kg are lifted from the ground on to large whisky barrels. After a demonstration by Edinburgh strongman Ewan Cameron, who just missed out on the last one, several of the heavy athletes tried their hand at lifting just the first one with Arran’s own Tom and Rory Gilmore and Ernie Weir managing the feat.
The Rev James Currie Cup, for overall champion in heavy events, was closely contested with three contestants finishing just a point apart. Craig Nicolson on 22 points and Arran’s Scott Clark with 23 points were just pipped by Pete Hart was overall champion with 24 points. The events were held under the watchful eye of Alan Pettigrew, who provided a humourous commentry throughout the afternoon.
There was a healthy local entry for the races and it was great to see Arran Junior Triathlon Club members taking part wearing team colours. There was a good entry from runners from North Ayrshire Athletics.
Several local charities had stalls and the Arran Mountain Rescue Team burger stall did so well it ran out of burgers. The Smile of Arran charity was also at the event. As reported in last week’s Banner, it had a stall at the event and representatives followed the pipe bands round the park during their second procession.
The day ended with the pipe bands marching back to the pier where the visiting bands were piped on to the ferry by the Arran pipes and drums before they ferry sounded its departure horn.