14 photos of the Aberdeen Highland games through the decades

By Kirstin Brown

June 18 2022, 6:00 am

June 18 2022, 6:00 am

1979 - Aberdeen Festival queen Kathleen Gauld, left, and her two princesses Anne Anderson, centre, and Kay Craigmile try their hand at lifting the caber – with a little help from some of the heavyweights taking part

In this edition of The Aberdonian, we look at Aberdeen Highland Games through the decades.

For the first time in two years, the event is being held at Hazelhead Park on Sunday 19th June 2022.

The Highland Games has been an integral aspect of Scottish history and culture for hundreds of years. This year’s Aberdeen Highland Games will feature traditional Scottish activities including a ceilidh, tug o’ war and cabre toss.

The gallery below shows 13 photos of the games through the decades.

Have you ever participated? Will you be going to it this year? Let us know in the comments below!

Gallery

Bill Anderson tosses a caber at the Aberdeen Highland Games in 1984 — 1984 – Bill Anderson grits his teeth as he wills the caber to go over

Neil Fyvie from Aboyne throwing the hammer during a heavys event at Aberdeen Highland Games in 1988 — 1988 – Aboyne heavy Neil Fyvie gets into the swing of things at Aberdeen

Young Tony Corgill performing a Highland dance at the Aberdeen Highland Games in 1992 — 1992 – Little Tony Corgill performing his first dance of the day at the Aberdeen Highland Games

Charlie Allan throwing the light hammer at Aberdeen Highland Games in 1972 — 1972 – Charlie Allan, from Methlick, throwing the light hammer at the Games

A section of the crowd at Aberdeen Highland Games in 1987 — 1987 – A section of the crowd who turned out to watch the action at Hazlehead

A competitor loses control of caber and it topples towards an official at the Aberdeen Highland Games in 1988 — 1988 – A competitor loses control and the caber topples towards the official

A young piper takes part in the parade of massed pipe bands at the Aberdeen Highland Games in 1993 — 1993 – A young piper takes part in the parade of massed pipe bands at the Aberdeen Highland Games

A tug o’ war team gets stuck in at Aberdeen Highland Games in 1991 — 1991 – The Elgin A tug o’ war team gets stuck in to Perthshire’s Square Inn side for a convincing win of the first heats at Aberdeen Highland Games

Arthur Rowe throws a 56lb weight over a record 15ft 11in height at the Aberdeen Highland Games in 1963 — 1963 – Arthur Rowe throws a 56lb weight over a record 15ft 11in height for any Highland Games

Andrew Macdonald and his brother Callum enjoy the Aberdeen Highland Games in 1985 — 1985 – One-year-old Andrew Macdonald and his brother Callum, 3, enjoy the games

Men finishing the 88 yards race at the Aberdeen Highland games in 1964 — 1964 – Finishing the 88 yards race are J Tennion of Dearham and J Brotherstone from Gordon

Norman Atkinson, from Cumberland, winning the 100-yards race at Aberdeen Highland Games in 1961 — 1961 – Norman Atkinson, from Cumberland, winning the 100-yards race

Coach Bill Meston urging on the Kinneff Young Farmers tug o’ war team at the Aberdeen Highland Games in 1986 — 1986 – Coach Bill Meston on his knees urging on the Kinneff Young Farmers tug o’ war team

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