This year, the Lonach Highland Gathering and Games is being held for the 175th time and to mark the milestone it will feature one of the largest marches of Highlanders in its history.
Taking place on Saturday, August 27, in Bellabeg Park, Strathdon, the Aberdeenshire event will have a packed programme of events, with something for all the family.
Organised by the Lonach Highland and Friendly Society, events get underway at 8am when the Lonach Highlanders commence their traditional six-mile march through the local area. Dressed in full Highland regalia and armed with eight-foot pikes and Lochaber axes, the men are led on their march by the Lonach Pipe Band, creating a stirring sight and sound in the morning air as they parade through picturesque Strathdon.
The Lonach Highlanders are believed to be the largest body of non-military men to carry ceremonial weapons in Britain. Joining them to mark this year’s anniversary games will be Europe’s only private army, the Atholl Highlanders, who organisers have invited to march alongside the Lonach Highlanders.
It will make the march one of the largest in the event’s history and feature two pipe bands and around 220 kilted individuals. The morning march takes the group round six local properties, receiving a dram at each stop to toast the health of the society and the area.
Jennifer Stewart, secretary and chief executive of the Lonach Highland and Friendly Society, said: “The morning march is an impressive and unique sight. Seeing hundreds of kilted Highlanders marching through the valley and taking over the main road is a real spectacle and something that we don’t think can be witnessed anywhere else in the world.”
First held in 1832, the Lonach Gathering is amongst the oldest Highland games in Scotland and has been held annually, except during the war years. With such a long history, this year’s 175th games will include a display of old photographs which have captured gatherings of years gone by.
With thousands of pictures being taken by visitors each year, the organisers called on the public to send in their photographs to help chart the event’s history, some of which will be included in the display.
Activities on the games field begin at 10.30am with the piping events, before the full programme of traditional events – including light and heavy athletics and Highland dancing – commences at noon.
Leading athletes and dancers will participate in over 70 competitions throughout the afternoon. Among those scheduled to compete in the heavy events is current Scottish Highland Games Association World Heavyweight Champion and former Olympic and Commonwealth Games star Scott Rider.
The gathering features a series of events that visitors can participate in for free, including children’s races, a hill race, a ladies race and pillow fights. Spectators can also watch as teams pit themselves against one another in the test of strength that is the tug o’ war. Other attractions include a family funfair and around 50 trade stands.
The gathering’s showpieces are the afternoon marches of the Lonach Highlanders, which take place round the main arena at 1pm and 3pm, joined this year by The Atholl Highlanders. During the 3pm march, the men will be led by the massed pipes and drums of a number of pipe bands.
Making his second appearance at the gathering will be the Lonach horse, Socks. The seven-year-old Irish heavy cob wowed the crowd on his debut last year pulling the Lonach “cairt” and is expected to receive another rousing reception.
Jennifer said: “There is always an incredible atmosphere at the Lonach Gathering and we’re expecting an even greater buzz this year for our 175th anniversary. It is a major milestone for the society and the gathering.
“The Lonach Highlanders and the Lonach horse always steal the show and receive a fantastic response from the crowd. We’re very pleased to once again welcome the Atholl Highlanders to the gathering as part of our 175th anniversary celebrations.
“I’m sure the sight of the men, combined with the magnificent sound of the massed pipe bands, will thrill both local and international visitors alike.”
Tickets are priced from £8 for adults, £4 for children aged between five and 15, while entry for children under four is free. For further information visit www.lonach.org