A Highland games stalwart is among those who have been included on this year’s Queen’s Honours list.
Peter Nicol, 82, was involved in organising the Aboyne Highland Games for five years and was secretary of the Grampian Games Association for three.
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Mr Nicol has been made an MBE for services the Highland Games, the economy and voluntary service in the north of Scotland.
The Aboyne man, who worked as a magician and entertainer, said he was stunned to find out about the honour.
He said: “I was very surprised, but it was a very pleasant surprise all the same.”
His ties with the Highland Games began at just 12, when he began selling programmes at the Deeside event.
In 1966, he was invited to be a member of the Aboyne organising committee and remained there for 50 years.
Despite stepping down, he is now an honorary member and still attends every year.
And he says the area’s appetite for the events has not diminished over the years.
“It’s part and parcel of the north-east,” he said.
“But it wouldn’t be possible without the hard work of the committee members, they have kept it going and continued to improve the presentations – there’s more and more people coming to the games.”
Mr Nicol is married to Helen and has a daughter and a grandson.
