Highland attractions in Fife

Cupar and Thornton play host to traditional events

Fife was treated to a double header on the Highland Games circuit over the weekend – and thankfully the weather largely played ball too.

Saturday saw Memorial Park play host to the 164th Thornton Highland Gathering, with visitors able to enjoy a full programme of traditional track and field events, Highland dancing, stalls, exhibitions and a pipe band contest.

Although a bit on the breezy side, thankfully the rain stayed away for all those in attendance to make it another successful event.

Meanwhile, heavy rain may have put paid to the first attempt to get Cupar Highland Games on last month, but organisers made the most of the rescheduled date in Duffus Park yesterday.

It was well worth the wait, with the change attracting a bigger entry than there was for the original date.

Cupar, too, staged a full running programme for open and youth competitors as well as heavy events, Highland dancing, junior Highland Games and children’s events.

Visitors were also able to catch a glimpse of an interesting entry in the cycling events, namely Katie Archibald MBE who has claimed world, European and Olympic titles over the years. CUPAR RESULTS Athletics. Open 100m: 1 Greg Kelly, East Kilbride AC (10.34) 2 Stewart Clark, Banchory 3 Cumbie Bowers, Glenrothes. Open 200m: 1 Greg Kelly (20.52) 2 Kieran Halliday, Central AC 3 David Allan, Balloch. Open 400m: 1 Stewart Clark (49.19) 2 Ewan Bradley, Inverness 3 David Allan. Open 800m: 1 Donald Bradley, Inverness (1:54.80) 2 Willie Bates, Tullibody 3 Craig Bell, Forfar. Open 1600m: 1 Donald Bradley (4:28.42) 2 Tyler White, Aberdeen AC 3 Willie Bates. Youth 90m: 1 Steven Bates (9.66) 2 Edouard Lecrivain, Aberdeen AC 3 Gaspard Lecrivain, Aberdeen AC. Youth 800m: 1 Hannah Steel Lothian RC (1:55.31) 2 Edouard Lecrivain, 3 Gaspard Lecrivain. Heavies 60m sprint: 1 Scott Rider 2 Lukasz Wenta

Cycling. 800m: 1 James Melville, Alexandria 2 Katie Archibald, Glasgow 3 Stevie Jackson, Glasgow. 1600m: 1 Charles Fletcher, Grantown on Spey 2 Katie Archibald 3 James Melville. 3200m: 1 Charles Fletcher 2 Katie Archibald 3 Gus Gillies, Peebles. Deil: 1 Charles Fletcher 2 Gus Gillies 3 Steve Jackson. Youth 800m:1 Kyle Cartmel, Forres 2 Jamie Penny, Newport. Youth 1600m: 1 Kyle Cartmel 2 Jamie Penny. Heavy events. 16lb ball: 1st Lukasz Wenta, East Kilbride, 57ft 11in (NGR) 2 Scott Rider, Dartford 3 Kyle Randalls, Falkirk. 22lb ball: 1 S Rider 48ft 9in (NGR) 2 L Wenta 3 K Randalls. 28lb wt – distance: 1 S Rider 84ft 3in 2 L Wenta 3 K Randalls. 16lb hammer: 1 K Randalls, 137ft 6in 2 S Rider 3 L Wenta. 22lb hammer: 1 K Randalls, 117ft 6in (NGR) 2 S Rider 3 L Wenta. Caber: 1= S Rider and L Wenta, 3 K Randalls. 56lb wt – height: 1= L Wenta and S Rider 14ft.

Pictures: Steven Brown. Pictures: Gareth Jennings. At Thornton, top, cyclists prepare for action and, above, Highland dancing. Left: Heat one of the 90 metres at Cupar. Top: Duncan Armit, 13, from Strathkinness in the zorb balls. Above: St Andrews Pipe Band entertains at Cupar.