A popular Highland Games event will return to the north-east this weekend thanks to the work of a new organising committee.
The Cornhill Highland Games has been run out of the tiny village of Cornhill for the past two decades, but last year its former organisers stood down.
The attraction, which draws hundreds of people to the area each year, marks the traditional start of the Aberdeenshire show calendar, with fayres including Fraserburgh’s vintage car rally and the Turriff Show following.
But following last year’s games, which came to an abrupt end with the arrival of a mini-tornado which damaged the showground, it was left in the hands of volunteers to plan for the future.
And last night, the new group said they were keen to make the games a “must attend” event for visitors.
Vivien Rae, a volunteer with the Cornhill Highland Games, said no one involved wanted the event to disappear.
“2018 is the 21st year of the games and the 48th Knock Hill race in the village,” she added.
“The Games is a long-standing event in the local community, as well as one of the locations for Grampian Games Association Championship events.
“And the Tug of War competition winners from the games are eligible for the Royal Highland Show competition.
“It was felt to lose the event altogether would have a negative impact on the community and the economic benefits games provides.
“There are currently increased tourism efforts in Aberdeenshire, so to lose a tourism focused event at this time would be against the current trend and detrimental to the area.”
Last year, the games came to a sudden end when a storm rolled in.
A mini-tornado swept through the site and upturned a first aid tent.
Hoping to avoid a repeat of the bad weather, the 2018 games kicks-off at 11am on Saturday, June 2.
The traditional Knock Hill race – an eight-and-a-half mile race to the top of a hill and back – will be the first event of the day.
