Flings just got a whole lot busier
Highland Games season bursts into action
Blustery conditions were perhaps appropriate as Perthshire’s Highland Games season swept into action in style in Blackford on Saturday.
Being held for the 151st time, the event was officially opened by Gala Queen Evie Head, who was accompanied by attendants Ellie Robertson and Emily Gordon.
The ceremonial duties took place following a parade into the main arena led by Blairgowrie, Rattray and District Pipe Band as part of a procession which featured chieftain Andrew Jardine Paterson, of nearby Gask House.
One of the new additions for this year was the inaugural Royal Scottish Highland Games Association (RSHGA) Junior Heavyweight Championship, which saw nine competitors under the age of 18 from across Scotland take part in a variety of traditional tests of strength.
Andrew Murphie from Grantownon-spey was the eventual winner on 34.5 points, with Blackford lad Charlie Farndon second on 30.5 and Kirkmichael’s Adrian Pyne third with 24.5.
As far as the senior heavyweight athletes were concerned, Grangemouth’s Kyle Randalls took the overall title while Lochearnhead’s Stuart Anderson won the confined section for local competitors.
Elsewhere on the day, more than 100 entrants entertained during the Highland dancing while the junior solo piping competition – which is now in its second year at Blackford – attracted traditional musicians from near and far.
Former Mod gold medallist Arran Green, from Cowie, impressed to take home both the Stockman Shield and the Ronald Robertson Memorial Shield once all the pipers had performed.
David Robertson, honorary secretary of the Games’ committee, said: “Alfie Laing of Dunblane took the silverware back home in the primary schools’ competition.
“Judge Stuart Brown made a special mention of the two runnersup – Sandy Burke of Dyce and Ruaraidh Chisholm of Doune – who gave brilliant performances in what was their first competitions.”
A closely-fought battle in the second annual Blackford Highland Games trail race resulted in a new course record being set by James Mcgurk of Lochtayside, who completed the course – which is just over nine kilometres long – in 37min 48sec.
Runner-up Oleg Chepelin, of Edinburgh running club Hunters Bog Trotters, finished in 38.02 while Scott Henderson, from Westlands, followed in third on 38.27.
There was a more local feel to the women’s section as Blackford’s Lisa Blackley won in 48.13, followed by Monica Thomson of Strathearn
Harriers in 51.02 and Jane Roy, also from Blackford, in 1.02.52.
Race organiser Johnathan Weir said: “All 18 runners returned safely, with all attending the prize-giving – where nobody left empty-handed.
“The race attracted an age range from people in their mid-20s to those in their mid-60s, but most impressive was Ned Phillips – a resident in Singapore who completed the race in his checked shirt in a time of just under 50 minutes!”
Continuing the energetic theme, a popular feature of the afternoon is always the primary schools’ relay race.
The Community School of Auchterarder took this year’s title, with teams from St Dominic’s in Crieff and Blackford finishing as joint runners-up.
Reflecting on a busy day, committee president Stuart Laing said: “It was probably one of the best Games we’ve had in terms of the amount of people who came along.
“It’s always difficult to tell these things, but I’d say there were about 2500 people there – the village was full of cars.
“On the Friday night, 12 motorhomes parked overnight on the field – from Germany and Holland – and there were people from all over, as well as locals.
“Everyone I’ve spoken to said they had a great day and I know the chieftain really enjoyed his day, too.
“It’s a day we all look forward to and there’s a lot of work put in to make sure it’s a success, all by volunteers.
“I’d like to thank all the committee members and sponsors for making the day such a success, as well as everyone who came along on the day.
“We’re always looking for new people to join the committee so anyone looking to get involved is welcome to get in touch.”
For more information, see the Blackford Highland Games Facebook page or website.