Castle visitors get the chance to try out Highland games events

More than just egg rolling on offer over Easter at Angus landmark

Glamis Castle visitors swapped gentle egg rolling for a more energetic form of Easter exercise in the spring sunshine at the Angus landmark.

While visitors on the opening weekend of what castle bosses are hoping will be a bumper 2018 tourist season were able to enjoy egg hunts and other Easter attractions, the added bonus of a chance to try their hand at a proud Scottish sporting tradition was also on offer.

Each summer the castle hosts the Strathmore Highland Games, and a come-and-try session offering folk the opportunity to have a go at everything from Highland dancing to tossing the caber was the latest local effort to encourage new blood into the games.

The Scottish Highland Games Association-led initiative has the backing of Prince Charles, and may even see the caber added to the curriculum in some Highland schools.

For the past couple of years Angus primary pupils have enjoyed a miniHighland games on the eve of the main event each June, and senior pupils from Webster’s High in Kirriemuir have been coached in the various traditional sporting pursuits which are an integral part of the traditional spectacle.

Strathmore Highland Games committee has also put together miniHighland games kits for local primary schools and the body’s chairman Charlie Murray – who is also president of the Scottish Highland Games Association (SHGA) – is hoping the Duke of Rothesay’s enthusiasm for the idea of games sports being added to the PE programme will extend across the country.

A pilot scheme led by the Prince’s Foundation aims to see high school youngsters in places including Thurso and Wick tackle caber tossing and tug o’ war in PE.

Mr Murray said: “The participation of athletes in Highland games has traditionally been through family connections, but that is happening less and less often now and we need to take action. We’re hoping to roll out a certificated Highland games programme across Scotland.

“Piping is taught in just about every school in Scotland now, and I would like to see the Highland games sports taught in schools to make people aware that there are other sports they can enjoy and compete in.”

As the sport’s governing body, the SHGA administers around 60 Highland games which run across Scotland from May until September, as well as having a number of associate members overseas.

Highland games remain a major contributor to Scotland’s annual tourism income, with an annual visitor turnout of around 150,000 people from home and across the globe generating an estimated £25 million.

Pictures: Paul Smith. Youngsters try their hand at traditional Highland games sports, including the shot put, at Glamis Castle.

The have-a-go event was organised by Strathmore Highland Games committee.