The Braemar Gathering received the royal seal of approval this weekend as it made a triumphant return to the north-east.
The Duke and Duchess of Rothesay and HRH The Princess Royal joined thousands of spectators in celebrating the return of the iconic Highland games.
Members of the Royal Family have attended the spectacle regularly since its debut in 1832.
This year’s event marks the end of a two-year break in proceedings following the Covid pandemic.
The Queen remains at Balmoral
Missing from this year’s spectacle was the Queen, patron of the Braemar Gathering.
On Friday, palace officials confirmed the head of state would not be in attendance.
It is understood the decision was taken to ensure the comfort of the 96-year-old monarch, who has been suffering from mobility problems since last year.
In his speech, commentator Dr Robert Lovie said the Queen had been sorely missed by all in attendance.
He said: “May I ask His Royal Highness The Duke of Rothesay to relay to Her Majesty at Balmoral Castle, that we miss her presence today and send to the Queen our warmest ‘Highland greetings’ from everyone attending this gathering today.”
Braemar Gathering a real crowd pleaser
Hailed as one of the best Highland games in the country, people of all ages flocked to the Deeside village on Saturday to catch a glimpse of the action.
The air was filled with the sounds of pipe music, cheers and rapturous applause as the crowds relished in the day’s main sporting events.
Spectators, including Dame Judi Dench, lined the main arena of the Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park as competitors battled it out for first place in a host of traditional events.
The caber toss, tug of war, the hammer throw and the sprint races proved to be among the favourites with the crowd as their cheers got louder by every passing moment.
Attendees were also treated to a string of star-studded performance from a host of pipe bands and Highland dancers.
To coincide with the events monumental return, organisers took strides in marking the Queen’s platinum jubilee.
The Jubilee Arch was erected at the entrance of the Braemar Gathering in recognition of the Queen’s 70 years on the throne.
Upon their arrival, Prince Charles and Camilla cut the ceremonial ribbon to mark its official unveiling.
Moments later, the crowd took to their feet to sing the national anthem.
‘It is all about the history’
Bill McNaught from Braemar was among the crowds of spectators.
The 83-year-old has lived in the Aberdeenshire village for the last 21 years and attended the mass gathering each year.
Joined by his daughter Kate Naczk and grandson Stefan Naczk, he relished in the day’s festivities.
He said: “We are all musical in our family but the highlight of the games and the thing I love is the mass pipe bands. I just think there is something special about it.”
Mrs Naczk says it was great to see so many people from across the world turning out to enjoy the games.
She said: “What I love about the gathering is all the accents you hear. We sat down for a quick coffee but immediately we heard American, German and Italian accents. An Australian couple asked us all about the history of Tartan. It is amazing.
“We all – in whatever journey you had through Covid – have a story to tell but today everyone out is in the fresh air. Its just marvelous.”
Gary MacDonald from Fort William is no stranger to the Braemar Gathering.
A former competitor in his own right, the 57-year-old turned out to cheer on this year’s competitors alongside his wife Kirsty and three children, aged 17, 24, and 23.
He said: “The games is very important as it is part of our heritage and culture. It is nice just to get out and meet people.”
‘My mum always wanted to come here’
For Caroline Crawford the games was a rather emotional affair.
The 47-year-old travelled from Edinburgh to attend the event for the first time on Saturday in memory of her mother.
She said: “My mum always wanted to come here so I brought a bit of her with me.
“It was booked in 2020 and then delayed due to the pandemic so this is me finally here. It has been great.”
Welcoming the world to Braemar
The Braemar Gathering attracted worldwide attention this year as the event was live streamed for the first time.
However, scores of spectators went the extra mile to enjoy the traditional Scottish event first-hand.
William Simpson, a lawyer from Luxembourg, was among those in the crowd.
Accompanied by his wife Maryange and their four young daughters, the family attended the games for the first time as part of their Scottish getaway.
The mother-of-four said it took a bit of persuading on her part to travel so far north but admits it was all worthwhile.
She said: “It is lovely.
“I put a little bit of pressure on my husband to come here. We were supposed to stay in the lowlands and my husband said Braemar was terribly far.
“We are very happy that the weather is fine and not too cold. We are very lucky.”
Braemar Gathering results
Throwing 16lb hammer, 28lb weight and 42lb weight over bar, putting 16lb ball, tossing caber, local: James Dawkins
Throwing 16lb hammer, Grampian qualifier: James Young
Throwing 28lb weight, Grampian qualifier: George Ewan
Throwing 28lb and 56lb weight, open: Sinclair Patience
Putting 16lb ball throwing 42lb weight over bar, Grampian qualifier: George Evans
Putting 16lb and 28lb stone, throwing 22lb and 16lb hammer, throwing 56lb weight over bar, tossing caber, open: Kyle Randall
Tossing caber, Grampian qualifier: Conan Quin
Bagpipe music, Marches and Strathspey and Reel, open: Derek Midgley
Bagpipe music, Marches, Strathspey and Reel, local: Calan Daniels
Bagpipe music, Marches, Strathspey and Reel, local, under 18: Craig Mitchell
Bagpipe music, Marches and Piobaireachd, open, under 18: Liam Nicolson
Bagpipe music, Strathspey and Reel, open, under 18: Callum Dunbar
Dancing, Highland fling sword dance, local, 16 and over: Abby Smith
Dancing, sword dance, local, under 9: Ally Dey
Dancing, sailors hornpipe, Hulachan, Highland Reel, sword dance, Seann Truibhas, Irish jig, open: Rachael Walker
Dancing, Highland Fling, local under 9: Ellie Dey
Dancing, sword dance Seann Truibhas Highland fling, 9 to 12, open: Cody Fong
Dancing, Hulachan, sword dance Seann Truibhas, open, 12 to 16: Eilidh Gammons
Dancing, sword dance, 12 to 16, local: Brooke Robertson
Dancing, Seann Truibhas, 12 to 16, local: Kyla Dey
Dancing, sword dance, Highland fling, 9 to 12, local: Harris Fraser
Dancing, Scottish lilt, Flora MacDonald’s Fance, 12 to 16, open: Maria Monk
Highland dancing Juvenile League, 12 years and under: Eilidh Smith, Huntly
Junior League, 15 years and under: Eva Collister, Larbert
Senior League, 16 years and over: Molly Smith, Cairnie
Girls race, under 7:Â Charlotte Tait
Boys race, under 7: Sebastian Sanders
Girls race: 7 to 10: Lana Huelsenurg
Boys race: 7 to 10: Lewis Clarence
Sack race, under 10, local: Alex Charles
Sack race, 6 to 12, open: Peter Stewart
Sack race, 12 to 16, open: Gabriel Clark
Race 100yds, open: Scott Tindle
Race 100yds, open, youths: Rachel Barnett
Race 220yds, 14 and over, local: Angus Wood
Race 220yds, race 80 metres, open: Krishann Aiken
Race 220yds, open youths: Stuart Whiteford
Race 440yds, 14 and over, local: Fergus Wood
Race 440yds, open: Connor Henderson
Race half mile: Finlay Murray
Race half mile, youths: Rachel Barnett
Race one mile: Peter Cameron
Running long leap, open, youths: Luc Macleod
Running long leap, hop, step and jump, open: Anthony Daffrun
Running high leap, open, youths: Lewis Ingram
Running high leap, open: Stewart Clark
Hop, step and jump, youths: Luke McLeod
Medlay relay, youths: Gordonstoun Duffus
Conversation