Bumper crowd turns out for St Andrews Games

Tradition: Highland gathering has grown from humble beginnings

The sunshine drew a bumper crowd out to St Andrew Highland Games yesterday.

The games are relative newcomers to the Highland games circuit, with yesterday being just the 32nd time the event has been held.

It had humble beginnings back in 1984 when it took place on a Thursday afternoon in a field on the outskirts of the town.

This time around it had one of the most famous backdrops in the world, being sited on Station Park in front of the Old Course Hotel.

Crowds enjoyed an afternoon of traditional events, including cycling, heavyweights, Highland dancing, running, solo piping and a fiercely competitive tug o’ war.

Secretary Ian Grieve said a large field of competitors had taken part in the events and a very healthy crowd had turned out to watch them.

“There were lots of overseas visitors and there was as good an entry on the track as I have seen,” he said.

“There were 17 runners in the mile, and that is very unusual.”

One of the athletes was MSP Willie Rennie, who did not appear to be in the prize money this time.

“It is good to see him supporting the Highland games,” added Mr Grieve.

“The weather was favourable to us, it was nice and dry but a bit windy.”

The games were officially opened by the City of St Andrews Pipe Band at around 1pm.

The 16lb ball and 800m cycling heats were the first events to take place, followed by the 90m heats and youth 90m heats.

A solo piping contest took place followed by the 28lb weight for distance competition.

Crowds were thrilled by the speed of

There were 17 runners in the mile and that is very unusual. IAN GRIEVE

the 90m final and children then got to show their prowess during the races for youngsters.

Overseas visitors got their chance to join in the occasion with special races during the afternoon.

Always a favourite, the tug o’ war took place later on, followed by tossing the caber. The Deil Tak the Hindmost cycle race wrapped the competition up around 5pm.

The games went on longer than the closing time to allow the large number of competitors who had signed up for the tug o’ war to compete for the spoils.

Fun day out: some of the spectators at St Andrews Highland Games; the Glenisla Hotel tug o’ war team; and Willie Rennie helping out at a cycle race.

Pictures: Kris Miller. Show of strength: a competitor at St Andrews Highland Games.