He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother...

Athletes who took part in heavy events at this year’s Morvern Highland Games, at Knock Park, Lochaline, united for a team photograph. At the games last Saturday, Craig Nicholson, of Oban – middle – won throwing the hammer, putting the shot, and the David MacBrayne Centenary Cup, open heavyweight, jointly with Scott Clark, second right. Scott, from Arran, also secured first place in tossing the caber and weight over the bar.

THE annual Morvern Highland Games battled torrential rain and gale-force winds at the weekend but nothing could faze Lochaline’s community spirit and the day was a resounding success, writes Ellie Forbes.

The games took place on Saturday (July 16) at Knock Park in Lochaline, welcoming visitors from far and wide.

Peter Lawson, from Northern Ireland, was chieftain of the games.

Opening the games, he said: ‘This is my first year as chieftain although I have been attending the games for more than 12 years.

‘My family has a farm in Ireland and one at Loch Teacuis, and we travel by boat between the two all summer.’

The day started with children’s sports, and all the youngsters enjoyed the classic wheelbarrow race, the high jump and the long jump.

Putting the shot, throwing the hammer and tossing the caber, were just a few of the heavyweight events that took place in the afternoon.

Lots of Lochaber locals got involved on the day, with many having stalls selling food or providing entertainment for those who attended.

Sunart, Ardnamurchan, Moidart and Morvern Beekeepers Association’s ( SAMMBA) manned a stall, where secretary Kate Atchley and new member Annemie Shanks had a display of bees for everyone to check out, and a selection of jams for sale.

Scottish Sea Farms was on hand too, serving up wraps made with local salmon caught fresh the day before.

Organiser and vicechairwoman of the games committee Janette Mowat said: ‘I came to the games as a child and I have been vice chairwoman for three years now. This is a community-run event close to our hearts and we have competitors come for all over to take part.’

The games committee consists of five other members: Kenny McLaughlin, who is the chairman; his wife Kathryn, who is the treasurer; Linda Martin, secretary; and Gemma Ryan and Seamus Wilson, who are committee members.

Ms Mowat continued: ‘The day was a great success. Despite the weather, everyone seemed to have a fantastic time.

‘It was great to have Inspired Falconry with us, where everyone got the opportunity to learn about and pet a barn owl and an eagle owl.

‘We also had Mulligans Ices from Fort William with us on the day which was a real treat, and thanks to Jonny Chainsaw for attending the games again with his fantastic chainsaw carving display.

‘I would finally like to thank all of the locals who helped on the runup to the day and each and every person and stall-holder who wrapped up and braved the weather to support us.’

Highland competitors, from Lochaline, Arran, Iona, Glasgow, who competed in the games’ heavyweight events throughout the day.

Highland competitors throwing the hammer.

Chieftain of the games, Peter Lawson with piper Graham Buchanan and new games committee chairman Kenny McLaughlin.

Morvern community development officer, Lilia Dobrokhodova, and husband Ivan Woolley at their stall where they were serving up curry and local produce from the Lochaline allotment garden.

Sunart, Ardnamurchan, Moidart and Morvern Beekeepers Association’s (SAMMBA), where secretary Kate Atchley and new member Annemie Shanks sold jam and had a display of bees which all the children enjoyed looking at.

Competitors in the heavyweight event, putting the shot.