The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Crowds gather to enjoy games
Thousands descended on Speyside at the weekend as the Gordon Castle Highland Games were extended to two days for the first time.
Spectators travelled from across the country and abroad to take in a traditional display of heavy events, dancing and entertainment amongst a boutique of trade stands.
But it was an Englishman who took home the top prize in the ring – setting a new games record in the 28lb for distance in the event on the way.
Crowds stayed until the end of the main competition yesterday to witness the climax of two days of entertainment.
For the first time the programme of events at the Fochabers estate began on Saturday with guests encouraged to dress in vintage clothes to celebrate the games’ heyday in the early 20th century.
Despite the sodden conditions, thousands still poured through the gates to enjoy falconry displays and marvel at massed pipes and drums from the Highland Military Tattoo.
Last night owner Angus Gordon Lennox revealed that he was considering making the Saturday a permanent feature of the games.
He said: “It’s too soon to tell what we’re going to do next year. There’s been a lot of tourists here, from Holland in particular. It’s been marvellous to have such fantastic support again.”