The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Games are on at the North Inch
THE VENUE switch for Perth Highland Games this weekend has saved the event from heartbreaking cancellation, organisers have revealed.
The traditional South Inch site for the games remains waterlogged and secretary Andrew Rettie said there is no way it could have been cleared for a large-scale event so soon.
The games now take place on Sunday on the North Inch and Mr Rettie admitted the early decision to move has eased his annual worries about the event.
It has been called off four times, including last year, since 2004, placing its continued viability in severe doubt.
Mr Rettie said those rainclouds have now parted and predicted a bright future for the traditional games, which were revived in 1977.
He said: “Having gone to the South Inch this morning out of curiosity, I’m absolutely delighted we’ve made the change because if we hadn’t, it would have been cancelled due to the extreme conditions.
“It has been exceptional weather which is disappointing but by moving, we are guaranteed to have the event on on Sunday.
“The only disadvantage is the parking situation but we saw recently with the jubilee celebration thousands of people on the Inch so people will be able to do the same again.
“While we can’t say where it will be held next year, it is quite critical in as much that if it doesn’t go on the North Inch, there won’t be a Highland Games.
“I’ve done this since 1977, and it was always a concern and we would look on with dread every year wondering what the weather’s like but now I can relax because the conditions will be perfect.”
Although this year’s games will follow the traditional format, with running, cycling, dancing, piping and the ever-popular heavy events, Mr Rettie said expansion plans could be formed from next year.
He said: “If it can be on the North Inch next year then maybe we can look at other things.
“Because of the way the calendar falls, the World Pipe Band Championships will be in Glasgow the week after so next year we’ll see a big entry in the pipe bands from all over the world because they like to come here for a practice first.
“We saw with the massed pipes at the Jubilee how well that can work on the North Inch.
“The dancing will be outside the main arena so we don’t have the problem of the girls running across the track.
“The flood bank acts like a natural arena and is a wonderful place to watch the action and entries are up as well.
“I’m far more positive about this than I have been in years.”
Former Provost John Hulbert will act as games chieftain after he was unable to do so at last year’s rained-off event.
He had previously warned the venue switch was desperately needed to save the games.
Perth and Kinross Council said it was delighted to step in and help, funding fencing for the ground to ensure underfoot conditions remained suitable.
Enterprise and infrastructure convener John Kellas, said: “The council was as keen as the organisers to make sure that Perth Highland Games could go ahead this year.
“We’ve helped the games organisers all we can to make sure that the North Inch is ready for the event, and that everyone can have a great time.
“Perth Highland Games is a hugely important event in our annual calendar, and we were happy to do all that we could to ensure its success this year.
“It promises to be a great day out for all the family, with a wide variety of attractions for people of all ages. I would encourage people to go along and enjoy the fun.”