Past Times

GALLERY: Pictures of the traditional Aboyne Highland Games through the decades

1989 - Alistair Gunn shows us what a Halkirk man wears beneath his kilt.

By Findlay Mair

August 6 2022, 6:00 am

August 6 2022, 6:00 am

As the Aboyne Highland Games finally returned this weekend, we’ve taken a look back through the archives to unearth some forgotten gems of the event.

The games have only been called off for the World Wars and as a precaution during the height of Covid-19.

But it has finally come back for its 155th edition this weekend.

First held in 1867, the Traditional Games attracts thousands to the region every time it is held.

And, as evidenced by the gallery below, it does not just attract local interest with a film crew visiting from Hong Kong in 1991 for a popular travel show in their homeland.

Visitors from the old West Germany learned how to toss a caber in 1982.

The Aboyne Games take on the traditional Highland games format with dancing, feats of strength and physicality all key features of the event.

Broadcasting legend and Doric speaking author Robbie Shepherd plays with a 12 month old Fiona Jane Quinn at the Aboyne Games — 1991 – Commentator and legendary broadcaster Robbie Shepherd makes friends with 12-month-old Fiona Jane Quinn

Lord Lieutenant of Aberdeenshire, Sir Maitland Mackie shows off the style which earned him a place on the rope in the tug-o-war battles between the Mackies and the Millers just after World War II in his home territory. The Kinneff team are pictured behind giving him a bit of support. — 1986 – Lord Lieutenant of Aberdeenshire, Sir Maitland Mackie leads the Kinneff team in a tug-o-war

1982 - Robbie Greenlaw of Aboyne wins the long leap local event. — 1982 – Robbie Greenlaw of Aboyne wins the long leap local event.

No highland games would be complete without its heavies...and Saturday's Aboyne Games were no exception. Here providing the games with a bit of lift are local heavies (left to right) Peter Fraser, Ballater; Calum Morrison, Dinnet; Murray Brown, Aboyne; and Alfie Bruce, Tarland. — 1982 – Peter Fraser from Ballater, Calum Morrison from Dinnet, Murray Brown from Aboyne and Alfie Bruce from Tarland take part in the strong man events

1982 -16-year-old Nethybridge dancer James Thomson performs the sword dance

Games committee member Edward Ross shows lads from Dortmund, West Germany, how to handle the caber at Aboyne Games today — 1982 – Games committee member Edward Ross shows visitors from Dortmund, which was then in the old West Germany, how to toss a caber

Finzean's Philip Christie (13) was the only boy competing in the Highland Dancing...but found that being the only boy in a bevy of beauties does have its moment — 1984 – Philip Christie, 13, from Finzean is the only boy participating in the Highland Dancing event

1987- Officials and members of the committee at the Aboyne Highland Games pictured together for the official photograph. Seated in the middle is the Chief of the event the Marquess of Huntly.

1983- Hamish Davidson, Nairn, clears the bar with ease in the 28lb. weight competition. — 1983- Hamish Davidson from Nairn clears the bar with ease in the 28lb. weight competition.

1989 - Alistair Gunn shows us what a Halkirk man wears beneath his kilt. — 1989 – Alistair Gunn shows us what a Halkirk man wears beneath his kilt.

1987- On your marks...youngsters get ready for the under-14 100yd race. — 1987- On your marks…youngsters get ready for the under-14 100yd race.

1989- The Glenfiddich Heavyweight Novice competitors lift lightweight Mandy Nicol, from Aboyne. The competitors are (from left): Craig and Mark Anderson from Aberdeen, Bruce Aitken from Auchenblae, Gordon Martin from Kennethmont, Tommy Dow from Kincardine O'Neil, and Ron Young from Insch — 1989 – The Glenfiddich Heavyweight Novice competitors lift lightweight Mandy Nicol, from Aboyne. The competitors are (from left): Craig and Mark Anderson from Aberdeen, Bruce Aitken from Auchenblae, Gordon Martin from Kennethmont, Tommy Dow from Kincardine O’Neil, and Ron Young from Insch

A camera crew from Hong Kong captured all the action for broadcast prime time TV. The makers of a top Hong Kong travel show, Scenic Journeys, spent six days in Scotland making their fourth series in 1991. — 1991 – A camera crew from Hong Kong captured all the action for broadcast prime time TV. The makers of a top Hong Kong travel show, Scenic Journeys, spent six days in Scotland making their fourth series.

1992 - Jackie Wright (14), Aberdeen, a member of the Oldmeldrum Royal British Legion Junior Pipe Band, keeps the beat at the 125th edition of the games. — 1992 – Jackie Wright, 14, Aberdeen, a member of the Oldmeldrum Royal British Legion Junior Pipe Band, keeps the beat at the 125th edition of the games.

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