Thousands descended on Monaltrie Park for the return of the intimate Ballater Highland Games.
The sun beat down on the scores of people watching as the traditional games made a triumphant return to the village.
Spectators of all ages, from far and wide, gathered in the 28C to revel in the day filled with the sound of pipes, drums, and cheers.
Massed pipe bands, Highland dancers, and heavy-weight competitors captivated crowds in the arena, while others explored the many stalls providing local goods.
Other sporting events filled the day, with the daunting hill race, children’s events, and athletics.
This year, guests had another reason to celebrate the occasion.
The new chieftain, Philip Farquharson, was officially escorted into the games by the Invercauld Highlanders and the Queen’s Guard.
Invercauld Highlanders marched onto the field of the games for the first time in 86 years.
President of Clan Farquharson USA, John Patterson, explained it had been close to 100 years since the clan chief wore an Invercauld uniform.
They were presented with a plaque from the Ballater Games Committee to mark the occasion, which will be displayed in the Ballater museum.
Chieftain Alwyne Farquharson’s legacy
Last year, the beloved Captain Alwyne Farquharson, the 16th laird of Invercauld, passed the baton of chieftain of the games to his great-nephew.
Captain Farquharson, who spent 73 years leading the games as chieftain, died last year aged 102.
John Sinclair, chairman of the games said crowds had been “tremendous”, with seats around the arena being full by 10.30am.
He said: “It’s fantastic to get back to normality again, although we have had a couple of little events this is the first to get.
“Our new chieftain made his first appearance today, after the death of Alwyne at the age of 102.
“Captain Alwyne never missed a game in 73 years – quite a legacy.
“The new chieftain will make his own mark.”
Henry Hyde-Thomson’s grandmother was the 15th laird of Clan Farquharson before her cousin Captain Farquharson took on the role.
His family laid stones on the Cairn of Remembrance for Captain Farquharson and his mother yesteday.
He said: “The current chieftain is Philip, who is also my second-cousin.
“Before him was Alwyne who was the longest standing clan chief in all of Scottish history, and was the chieftain of the games for 73 years – an amazing achievement.
“Quite an institution, and a lovely man.”
Mr Hyde-Thomson added it was nice to have the gathering of the clans from all over the world again.
‘Good feeling to be back’ for Swiss pipe band
Dalhousie Pipe Band from Basel, Switzerland, joined the massed pipe band performing in the arena throughout the day.
Drummer Michele Monnier explained their band was quite rare, with only 10 pipe bands in Switzerland.
She said: “Our band was founded 20 years ago, and we have about 30 pipes and drummers.
“But today, we just have four people because travelling is difficult at the moment.
“We’ve been here twice before, so this is the third time, but we always enjoy it.
“It’s the same as last time we were here, so we were surprised it looks the same and it’s a good feeling to be back.”
Drummer Marc Monnier said they had to learn everything themselves back home.
He said: “It’s like a dream come true to perform because we practice on our own in Switzerland.
“Everyone was welcoming – from the first day they were friends.”
‘Almost too hot’
For many, this was the first time they were seeing the spectacle.
Jack Chapman, 29, recently moved to the area from Cardiff and was enjoying watching the heavyweight competitions.
He said: “It’s mad, the heavy stuff is crazy, the guys doing it are massive, and my wife likes the dancing as well.”
Angie and David Fante, from Philadelphia, have watched the Highland Games on television before so were happy to be able to see it in person.
They drove up from Edinburgh today to see the games in Ballater.
Gillian Emerson, from Aberdeen, took her two little boys to the games for the first time.
She said: “Our eldest is four so he was really excited to go to his first Highland games.
“It’s been amazing, and the weather is so good. We’re just loving it, and it’s a beautiful setting as well.
“We couldn’t have asked for better weather – almost too hot – but it’s been lovely.”
Results from the day
Local Dancing
- Highland Fling under 9; Sword Dance under 9 – Ally Dey
- Highland Fling: 9-12 – Kyla Dey
- Highland Fling: 13-16 – Lexie McCracken
- Highland Fling; Sword Dance – Abbie Smith
- Sword Dance: 9-12; Seann Truibhas: 9-12 – Harris Fraser
- Sword Dance: 13-16 – Lexi McCracken
- Seann Truibhas: 13-16 – Brooke Robertson
- Seann Truibhas – Eva Handsley
- Seann Truibhas – Michelle Gordon
Open Dancing
- Highland Fling; Irish Jig – Rachael Walker
- Highland Fling: 12 and under – Ellie Kilfedder
- Highland Fling: 13 to 16 – Amy Smart
- Sword Dance; Reel of Tullich – Michelle Gordon
- Sword Dance: 12 and under – Eilidh Smith
- Seann Truibhas: 13 to 16 – Eva Collister
- Sailors Hornpipe: 12 and under – Ellie Kilfedder
- Sailors Hornpipe – Hamish McInnes
- Irish Jig: 13 to 16 – Reece McKey
Piping
- Piobaireachd Open – Brian Lamond
- Marches Local; Strathspey and Reel Local – Scott Grubis, Royal Guard
- Marches Open – Xavier Borderious
- Strathspey and Reel Open – Andrew Donon
- Marches open: under 14; Marches for Boys and Girls open: 17 and under; Slow Marches: under 14 – Rory Menzies
- Strathspey and Reel for Boys and Girls open: 17 and under; Local and Kindred Gathering March Strathspey and Reel – Craig Mitchell
Track Events
- 100 Yards Race: 16 and over; 440 Yards Race local: 16 and over; Long Leap local: 16 and over; Hop Step and Leap local: 16 and over; High Leap local: 16 and over – Fraser Davidson
- Boys Race handicap open: 12-15 – Chris Barrie
- 100 Yard Race Men; 220 Yards Race open: 16 and over; Long Leap open: 16 and over; High Leap open: 16 and over – Allan Hamilton
- 100 Yard Race Women open; 440 Yards Race 16 Women open; Hill Race – Katie Lowry
- Boys Race handicap open: under 8 – Rory Maggs
- Girls Race handicap open: under 8 – Felicity Smith
- Boys Race handicap open: 8-11 – Oliver Stewart
- Girls Race handicap open: 8-11 – Sophia Stewart
- Mile Flat Race local: 16 and over; Hill Race – James Espie
- Girls Race handicap open: 12-15 – Amilia Meynen
- 440 Yards Race open – Stuart Clark
- Half Mile Race open: 16 and over; Mile Flat Race open: 16 and over – Shaun Chalmers
- Half Mile Race handicap open: 10-15 – Ruaridh Datta
- Boys Sack Race open: 9 and under – Archie McEwan
- Girls Sack Race open: 9 and under – Annie Hutcheon
- Boys Sack Race open: 10- 13 – Calum Datta
- Girls Sack Race open: 10-13 – Eilidh Smith
- Hop Step and Leap open: 16 and over – Stewart Clark
- Tilting the Bucket open – Fraser Davidson and Fraser MacDonald
- Tug of War – Strathdee, Ballater
- 110 stone, Scottish Championship – Strathdee, Ballater
Field Events
- Light Hammer local – James Dawkins
- Light Stone local – George Stewart
- Throwing 28lb Weight local; Tossing the Caber local – Craig Sinclair
- Light Hammer open; Heavy Hammer open; Throwing Weight Distance open – Kyle Randalls
- Light Stone open; Heavy Stone open; Tossing the Caber open; Throwing Weight Over Bar open – Vlad Tolacek
Grampian Games Qualifying Championship (18-25 years)
- Tossing the Caber – James Young equal with Connan Quinn
- Light Stone; Throwing 28lb weight distance; Weight Over Bar 42lbs – George Evans
- Light Hammer – James Young
Conversation