High hopes for big turnout and good weather at Highland games

Fife’s final Highland games of the season looks set for better weather than the washout which saw it cancelled last year.

Organisers of Inverkeithing Highland Games hope a good day will bring a crowd of up to 5,000 to Ballast Bank.

Heavy rain saw the 2017 event called off at the last minute but the Met Office has predicted warm weather and some sunshine this afternoon.

A parade to the games arena led by pipe bands will set off from the Civic Centre at 11.30am before the event is officially opened by the chieftan at 12.30pm.

The games, first mentioned in burgh records in 1652, will include all the usual competitions, including Highland dancing, track and field and heavy events.

The action will begin with the shot put and 90m handicap races.

Spectators will also be treated to traditional favourites including the hammer throw, caber tossing and tug o’ war.

Firm fixtures on the programme include the 60m Hei’land man’s dash and the De’il Tak the Hindmost cycle relay.

Ballast Bank will also host three races in the Scottish Cycling Championships on its relaid track with new red blaes, thought to the be the finest cycle track of the games circuit.

Pipe bands will include the Sultan of Oman, which performed at Inverkeithing three years ago.

The identity of the chieftan has yet to be revealed but may be Cath Chorley, of Dalgety Bay, who last year was to be its first Lady Chieftan since 1974.

A salute to the chieftan will be given by the pipe bands before a procession back to the High Street at 5pm.