Thousands turn out at north-east Highland Games for sunny day of sports

By Stephen Walsh

June 17 2019, 6:24 am

Thousands turned out at the Oldmeldrum Sports and Highland Games. (Picture: Michael Trail)

The “sunshine sports” returned to a north-east village at the weekend, despite fears of a wash-out due to heavy downpours in the days prior.

Thousands turned out at Oldmeldrum’s Pleasure Park on Saturday to take in the traditional contests offered up by the annual Highland games.

About 3,500 people were in attendance to watch as teams tussled over the tug o’war, heavies performed impressive feats of strength and Highland dancers entertained the crowds with their colourful displays.

There was also athletics for the crowds to enjoy with runners competing in the traditional five-miler event, as well as various other distances, and the long and high jumps proving popular.

Tourists and locals began flooding into the arena at about noon and the massed pipe bands officially sounded the beginning of this year’s event.

The games are traditionally opened by a celebrity or notable local person, with Lord Lieutenant James Ingleby the invited guest this year.

Arriving in a red Mercedes, provided by I&K Motors, Mr Ingleby said it was an honour to be given the chance to open the event.

He then presented two pupils from the local academy with bursaries donated by the games committee to help them pursue university or college education after they leave school.

As well as the sporting events throughout the day, which also included wrestling matches inside a marquee, there were also trade stands selling local produce, hot food and other goods.

Gordon Forsyth, secretary of the games, said: “It’s come together really well, the sun was out and shining and we had a decent crowd come in – that’s what it’s all about.

“The one thing you can’t organise in this game is the weather, sunshine always brings out a big crowd.

“We kept a good eye on the forecast, we got everything set up in time before the rain came and that meant we weren’t having heavy vehicles going across the field so it was in good condition.

“The lord lieutenant has followed in the footsteps of all of his predecessors since the sports began. It was great to have the queen’s representative here supporting us.”

Results

QUALIFYING HEAVY EVENTS

Light Hammer; Weight for distance; Weight for height; Overall – Ron Young
Light Stone – James Young
Caber – Conan Quinn

OPEN HEAVY EVENTS

Heavy Stone; 56lb Weight for Distance; 56lb Weight for Height (new record); British Caber Championship; Overall – Vlad Tulacek
Light Stone – Lucasz Wenta
Heavy Hammer; 28lb Weight for Distance – Kyle Randalls
Tug O’War – Elgin A

RACES AND ATHLETICS

Meldrum 5 Miler male – Fraser Drummond
Meldrum 5 Miler female – Ruth Pirie
Meldrum Mile boys – Finlay Rae
Meldrum Mile girls – Erin Delahunty
Long Jump; Triple Jump; High Jump; Jumps Champion; 400 metres; 200 metres; 90 metres – Anthony Daffurn
1,600 metres; 800 metres; Running Champion; Overall – Ewan Bradley

DANCING