Crowds lap up sunny Skye at 140th Highland Games

MORE than 4,000 locals and visitors ascended on The Lump in Portree on Wednesday to watch the spectacle of the 140th Skye Highland Games.

Athletes, dancers, pipers, drummers and heavies turned up to the natural arena overlooking the bay to compete in the games while sailors took their boats to the waters around the harbour in the hope of winning the single race for all classes of yacht.

In glorious sunshine throughout most of the day, the event got off to a flying start with the crowds cheering on their local heroes in the field and piping competitions.

The Highland Dancing events were well-attended with competitors taking part from around Scotland and as far away as New Zealand and the USA. Isle of Skye Pipe Band, along with French visitors Piperade SWPA and the Skye Youth Pipe Band, provided the rousing sounds of a massed pipe parade, while brave audience members teamed-up in the afternoon for a fun tug of war.

Heavies took to the field to provide the main attraction of the day and competitors, both local and from as far away as the Czech Republic and Poland, pitted their strength against each other in the traditional Highland competitions.

Events included tossing the caber, putting the stone, throwing the hammer and hurling a 56lb weight over a high bar.

At the end of the day, Bernisdale’s Martin Munsie won the Rosemary Nicolson Trophy for best competitor in local heavy events.

Best all-round local athlete was Ewen Bradley. Originally from Staffin, Ewen took home the Ronnie MacLean Memorial Cup for best all round local jumper; the Robertson Memorial Challenge Cup for the best all-round local athlete and the MacDonald of Seafield Cup for winner of local eight lap race.

The competitions ended with the Skye Hill Race, a 200-metre climb up Suidh Fhinn. Dean Nicolson from Portree took the Talisker Quaich for first local in the hill race while Uig’s Christina Rankin won the ladies race and the Dunvegan Castle Quaich for first local lady.

Honorary secretary of Skye Highland Games Allan Stewart said: ‘This year’s games were a great success. We had more than 4,000 people through the gate and, although this is not a record, was an excellent turnout.

‘We also had a good number of contestants in the heavy field events, which included some of the top athletes in Scotland.

‘The games take a lot of organising and commitment from our volunteers and we are very grateful to them for their help in the organisation and running of the event. We would also like to thank our sponsors for their generosity and everyone who turned up to support us: the competitors, the judges and the audience. We look forward to seeing you all next year.’

Girls from the Isle of Skye Pipe Band.

Action from the junior Highland Dancing.

One ‘heavy’ puts his weight behind the throw.

Spectators join in The Tug of War.

The popular parade of the Isle of Skye Pipe Band.

Stewart Clark clears the high jump bar.

Winners of the Under-13s Highland Dancing competition take a bow.

Gemma Taylor from Portree.

Photographs by Sara Bain. Full results at www. lochabertimes.co.uk Falkirk’s Jamie Gunn makes it look easy.

Piper Malin Lewis, 17, from Bernisdale impresses the judges in the local Piobaireachd 16 years and over competition.

A ‘heavy’ competitor successfully throws the 56lb weight over the bar.

The heat is on: Anthony Daffurn, Ewen Bradley, Stewart Clark and John MacKenzie race to the finish line.

An eager contestant gives his all in the long jump.

The men’s race was a tight affair.

Skye’s Christina Rankin wins the ladies’ race. Christina is the first lady to finish the Hill Race for the 11th successive time.

The sun came out for the crowds during the women’s race.

In perfect harmony in the Highland Dancing.