Blazing sunshine brought the masses out to Ballater yesterday – ensuring competitors showing off their talents at the Highland games had a bumper crowd.
From the traditional heavyweight events to the dancing and piping, the spectators surrounding the arena at Monaltrie Park were behind the competitors all the way.
There were huge “oohs” and cheers during the tossing of the caber, with tourists from further afield jostling to get a photograph of perhaps Scotland’s most quintessential contests.
Organisers estimated there were at least 4,500 people at the games, with advance ticket queries coming from as far as America, Canada, Belgium and France.
On the field, one young Highland dancer hailed from Melbourne while an athletic taking part in the half-mile run was from Michigan.
But although he had not travelled quite so far, Glenrothes man Sandy Chalmers got one of the biggest cheers of the day – for completing the hill race at the age of 83.
Games secretary Ron Drever said: “It’s been a pretty good day for us, I would think we’re talking about 4,500 people, if not more.
“The weather has been good and brings people out from across Aberdeenshire, and we’ve had a lot of international visitors this year, even more than usual.
“There’s been a real community spirit. We’ve had a few local businesses supporting different events this year, which is good news too.
“It really has been great.”
The massed pipe band – made up of Ballater, Towie, Ellon, Kintore and the 47th Culter members – delighted the audience by marching around the field throughout the afternoon, and welcomed games chieftain Captain Alwyne Farquharson.
They were also joined by members of the Royal Regiment of Scotland’s band, while other members of the Royal Guard took on the tug o war challenge against reigning champions Mount Blair and teams from Elgin and Cornhill.
Scores of families sat on the grass with picnics, or wandered around enjoying ice creams as the temperature climbed to 23C.
Youngsters not competing in the Highland dancing or piping also got the chance to shine in the various children’s races.
Katrina Morrison, of Aberdeen, comes to the games with her family every year.
She said: “We had a fantastic day, the weather made it, really. We’ve been coming for about 10 years, and this has been one of the busiest I can remember which adds to the lovely atmosphere.
“The children have been entering the races which adds to the fun, it’s been good.”
Simon Atwood, from north London, was taking in the games while on his honeymoon.
He said: “We’ve never been before so it’s been awesome, we’ve had a great time.
“I’ve probably enjoyed all the heavyweight competitions the most.”
Last year was the game’s 150th anniversary, and to mark the occasion the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay took in the spectacle. It was the first time in the history of the games that the royal family attended – despite them being regulars at the Braemar Gathering, which takes on September 5 this year.
New competition
A new competition was launched at the Ballater Games yesterday – but not for the strongest man or most nimble athlete.
Instead, judges were looking for the best dressed Highlander of the day.
And from a one-month old baby to pipers and members of Clan Farquharson, nearly 20 people polished up their outfits in the hope of scooping the title.
The competition hails back to a similar event first held in 1892, which was eventually replaced – bizarrely – with a contest for the most artistically dressed bicycle and most comically-dressed cyclist in 1900.
Yesterday Scott Fraser, vice-chairman of the games committee, said he was delighted the best dressed contest had returned, especially as it is being done in memory of games secretary Edward Anderson, who died in 2013.
Mr Fraser said: “We’ve been planning this since about 2008, but it didn’t get passed by the committee.
“Our secretary passed away just before the 2013 games and it was mentioned at a committee meeting that a best dressed Highlander competition would be a fitting tribute to him.
“He was our secretary for more than 30 years and was a fantastic guy, so we’re really pleased we can do this.
“We had 17 entries, which for the first time is not too bad – with our youngest entry being just a month old.”
There are three categories – the open, uniform and the Ballater Games. The winners yesterday were Gordon Farquharson, Ballater and District Pipe Band pipe sergeant James Cooper, and his brother – a drummer with the band – Connor Cooper, respectively.