A legend of the Highland games circuit has been brought to book by a legal heavyweight and former foe.
Aberdeen’s Bill Anderson dominated the heavy events for three decades, winning 18 Scottish championship titles as well as British, European, American, Canadian and World prizes.
Now his rise from farm boy to king of the heavies is charted in a new biography by Jack Davidson QC.
Mr Davidson, a former Aberdeen solicitor, is known for outwitting his courtroom opponents, including such high-profile cases as the Lockerbie bombing.
But the 59-year-old is also a former east of Scotland shot and hammer champion and faced Mr Anderson on the Highland games field several times. “I took part in Highland games in the early-70s and Bill Anderson was a formidable competitor,” he said. “Frankly, he was well clear of me and his other rivals.”
His book, Highland Fling, chronicles Mr Anderson’s career, as well as exploring the history of the Highland games, which began centuries ago when chieftains summoned their clansmen to gatherings that included contests in archery, running, wrestling, putting the stone and tossing the caber.
“I always admired Bill, not just as a top athlete but also as a great sportsman,” he added. “Since I’m interested in the history of the games the idea of a biography of Bill just took off.”
Born on Greenferns Farm, Bucksburn, Mr Anderson began competing as an 18-year-old at Alford in 1956 and went on to compete at the top of his sport, excelling at caber tossing and hammer throwing.
Unlike today’s heavyweight champions, his only training was his farm work and his sport.
It is 50 years this summer since he claimed his first Scottish title and 40 years since he became the first man to hurl the hammer 150ft.
Now 71 and a member of Scottish Sports Hall of Fame, the grandfather-of-five from Woodstock Road, refuses to put his feet up and still works part-time. He also judges at the Aberdeen, Crieff, Aboyne and Braemar Highland games.
He and wife Frances enjoyed the launch of the book at a reception at Aberdeen’s Society of Advocates last night. The event was attended by heavy athletes from past games, including Sandy Gray, Charlie Allan, Bruce Aitken and Gordon Forbes.
Mr Anderson will also take part in a public book signing at B&Q, Garthdee, Aberdeen, next Saturday from 10.30am.
Highland Fling is published by Argyll Publishing at £15.99.