The Oban Games and Argyllshire Gathering proved more popular than ever yesterday with cruise ship passengers helping to swell the visitor numbers.
Amidst the new attractions, the Calcutta Cup – dating back to the 1870s – was displayed in the games field, as a way of celebrating the inaugural Argyll rugby cup being competed for by first-year pupils.
The Oban Games traditionally bring some of the finest pipers from all over the world to the north town and the winner of the coveted Highland Society of London’s Gold Medal – Andrew Hayes of Ontario in Canada – had the honour of leading the march from the town centre to the games field.
Paul Nicoll, games steward, said afterwards: “This year, we had the inaugural Argyll rugby cup for first year pupils.
“We are trying to bring the games back to Oban, to the young people of Oban, which is why we have been including the school as much as possible.
“We have been doing a lot of work with the school and 22 pupils have been helping us out this year, not just with setting up, but with the organisation and social media.”
Helen Whittow, senior steward, was thrilled by the quality of the music.
She said: “We have two fantastic pieces of news in the piping sector. Inveraray and District Pipe Band are champions of champions this year and Oban High School Pipe Band are also champions of champions in their age group.
“This is particularly pleasing in the 40th year of the piping trust. The gathering committee provide substantial sums towards the tuition of piping in schools and we are very happy to see them being so successful.”
She added that the Corinthian cruise ship had docked at Oban’s North Pier to allow its passengers to attend the event.
Visitors enjoyed all of the usual stalls and attractions, including spectating at the piping, athletic and heavy competitions. Organisers noted an increase in the number of young men competing in the Highland dancing competitions.
There was even a grounds record broken in the athletics section when Alessandro Schenini from Glasgow triumphed in the long jump with a jump of 22ft 7ins. The previous record of 22ft 4.5ins was set by Alan Hamilton of Edinburgh in 2016.
Alasdair Cameron, head of the field set-up committee, said: “I watched the first march come into the field and it was packed. Members of the public were still coming in following the procession well after the piping had stopped.
“It was one of the busiest opening marches I have seen. A lot of the tickets were sold beforehand thanks to the cruise ship visiting.
“Having the Calcutta Cup on display was a popular attraction, a lot of people were having their pictures taken with it.”