Two records were broken and a brave decision to have the Tain Highland Gathering revert to Saturday was vindicated at the weekend.
Triple and long jump specialist Tony Daffurn from Wishaw grabbed glory in track and field events by writing his name into the sports competitions’ history books while big crowds made a pilgrimage to one of the biggest fixtures in the local calendar.
Some of the finest musicians, dancers and heavyweight athletes vied for honours, while others settled for watching the action or showcasing their talents in the arts and crafts tent.
Local strongman Jason Young dominated in the heavies events.
Games secretary Fiona Sutherland, who has been involved with the gathering for the last 23 years, said: “To have records broken is always a good thing.
“Tony had never been to Tain before, but he had tried to come here for a few years.
“We had held the games on a Thursday for 15 years, but decided to move back to Saturday to attract more competitors and visitors, and it seemed to be busy, and certainly popular, to be on a Saturday.”
Passengers from the Caribbean Princess cruise liner, docked at Invergordon, were among many newcomers to this year’s games.
Praising an army of volunteers who helped out, Miss Sutherland indicated that it was highly likely that the games would remain a Saturday fixture in future.
THE RESULTS
Local heavies – putting 16lb Stone: Jason Young, Fearn. Throwing 16lb hammer: Jason Young, Fearn. Tossing the caber: Jason Young. Weight for distance: Jason Young.
Overall local heavy champion: Jason Young.
Open heavies – putting 16lb Tain stone: Lorne Colthart, Blair Atholl. Putting 22lb Tain stone: Lorne Colthart. 56lb weight over bar: Lorne Colthart. 28lb weight for distance: Jamie Gunn. 16lb hammer: Lorne Colthart. 22lb hammer: Lorne Colthart. Overall open heavy champion: Lorne Colthart.
Junior piping – 15yrs and under – march: Eilidh MacPhee, Inverness. Strathspey and reel: Eilidh MacPhee. 16-18 years march: Angus MacPhee, Inverness. Strathspey and reel: Angus MacPhee. 18yrs and under jig: Callum Clark. Pibroch Angus MacPhee. Senior piping – pibroch: Cameron MacDougall. March: Brighde Chaimbeul. Strathspey and reel: Brighde Chaimbeul. Jig: Cameron MacDougall. Overall piping champion (silver quaich) Brighde Chaimbeul and Cameron MacDougall.
