150th Games make a return to calendar
Smiles and sunshine were to the fore as Blackford Highland Games made a welcome return on Saturday.
And the fancy footwork of these Doune and Stirling dancers, pictured, were among the highlights at the popular annual event being held for the 150th time, and the first since an enforced two-year break as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Members of Blairgowrie,
Rattray and District Pipe Band led a short procession to the arena prior to the event being officially opened in traditional fashion by Blackford Gala Queen Maisie Shedden, accompanied by attendants Peggi Beck and Beth Forsyth.
Andrew Mcgarva, the rector at Crieff’s Morrison’s Academy, performed ceremonial honours in his role as chieftain, something which he said was a source of great pride.
Among the stalls was one designed to raise awareness of and funds for the ongoing war in Ukraine, something which organisers have said will have a presence at many community events throughout the summer.
In the main arena, highlights included Vlad Tulacek breaking his own Games record with a 16’6” effort in the 56lb weight over the bar contest.
And it was a good day for the next generation of heavyweight athletes, with Glenisla’s Byron Hart winning three out of the four junior events and finishing as joint winner in a keenly-contested caber.
In addition to the traditional programme of heavyweight and track and field events, new disciplines added this year included trail races in honour of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Elsewhere, there was also excitement as solo piping made its return to Blackford after an absence of 83 years.
Blackford Highland Games committee president Stuart Laing said:“our committee would like to thank all our volunteers, judges and competitors for making Saturday the success it was.
“Special thanks should go to our 150th chieftain, Andrew Mcgarva. But, most importantly, thank you to the public who turned out in droves and welcomed back Blackford Highland Games.”