Two veteran heavy athletes enthralled spectators at the north’s biggest Highland Games event as they faced off in a series of Herculean challenges.
The Halkirk Highland Games drew in crowds just shy of 3,000 as the sun shone throughout the day and nearly 100 events took place in the Caithness village’s Recreation Park.
Games Chieftain, Lord John Thurso, got the proceedings off to a start shortly after the first parade of the massed pipe bands from Thurso and Wick at noon.
Chairman of the games, Iain Mackenzie, said: “It was a beautiful afternoon with close to 3,000 coming out to join us.
“I don’t think it could have run any smoother.
“Anybody who I have spoken to has said how much of a great day they have had and how well run it was.”
In the heavy events, 31-year-old Czech competitor Vlad Tulacek, who has recently taken on the crown of World Heavy Champion, dominated.
In the throwing events, he took the top prize for hurling both the hammer and the stone furthest.
The experienced heavy also set a new record, beating his previous in the throwing weight for height event that he set last year.
He added an extra inch onto his previous effort and reached the impressive 17ft mark.
Englishman Scott Rider was not to be outdone, scoring three first places and four seconds to set up a tantalising finale where the two veterans of the Halkirk circuit entered the final event level on points.
Rider scooped second in the event which was enough to pip the Czech man to the overall title, repeating the same feat he managed three years ago.
Further records fell in the track and field events, with Allan Hamilton of Edinburgh setting a new hop, step and leap record, and fellow Edinburgh competitor Alan Smith breaking the high jump record.
In the dancing, Hollie Fulton – joint winner of the 12 and under category – became the first recipient of the Peter Murchison memorial trophy.
Mr Murchison served as a president on the games committee for more than four decades before his death last November.
Mr Mackenzie added: “Peter served on the committee as far back as 1970 and only stood down a few years ago. His family donated a trophy in his memory and it was decided that this would go to those competing who are from the Halkirk area.
“It is a very nice touch in memory of Peter, who was very highly thought of and had a good rapport with everyone, keeping spirits high.
“It was a very sad day when he passed on but this was something both the committee and his family were keen to do to honour his legacy.”
Mr Murchison’s great-grandson, 11-month-old Archie Bremner from Halkirk, was crowned as the overall winner of the baby show.
