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Gallery: Stoltman ‘superfans’, dogs in raincoats and heavy downpours at Inverness Highland Games 2023

Despite the dark clouds and rumbles, Bught Park was buzzing with visitors turning out to watch the traditional Scottish sporting events. 

Angela Elphionstone and Carol Brebner. Images by Jason Hedges/DC Thomson
Angela Elphionstone and Carol Brebner. Images by Jason Hedges/DC Thomson

Thousands of people equipped with wellies and umbrellas today braved heavy rain and thunderstorms to take in the Inverness Highland Games.

Despite the dark clouds and rumbles, Bught Park was buzzing with visitors turning out to watch the traditional Scottish sporting events.

Featuring heavyweight and athletic competitions as well as piping and Highland dancing contests, despite the grey weather the park was awash with colour and activity.

This year’s games also marked a milestone as more women participated in the heavy events than men.

The famous Invergordon strongman brothers,  Tom and Luke Stoltman, returned for their second year and were busy meeting fans and entertaining the crowds.

Younger visitors also enjoyed taking part in various sporting events and taking in an array of various entertainment.

Our photographer Jason Hedges captured some of the best moments from this year’s games.

Pictures from Inverness Highland Games 2023

Tom Stoltman at the Inverness Highland Games.
Tom Stoltman at the Inverness Highland Games.
Stoltman Brother shakes hands with fellow competitor.
Stoltman Brother shakes hands with fellow competitor.
Inverness Highland Games competitor hypes up the crowd.
Hyping the crowd up.
Novice Highland dancers competition.
Novice Highland dancers competition.
Tom Stoltman waving at fans at the Inverness Highland Games 2023.
Tom Stoltman waving at fans.
The Stoltman Brothers preparing for the high jump event.
The Stoltman Brothers were cheered on by the crowd as they easily passed 12ft and 15ft only to fail to beat the record of 17ft.
Man and woman at the event with their dog.
Cindy, Jans and Chico the dog.
Chinese family at the event in traditional clothing.
From China Jing, Yun, Mei, Livan, Jin, Hong, Shu Ren.
Edwina Madden Egan competing in the hammer throw.
Edwina Madden Egan competing in the hammer throw.
Labrador keeping dry with rain coat.
Labrador keeping dry with rain coat.
Competitor taking part in the stone put.
Competitors took part in many traditional heavyweight games such as the stone put.
Pipe bands playing at the Inverness Highland Games.
Pipe bands played through the day.
Hammer throw competitor
This year’s games marked a milestone as more women participated in the heavy events than men, with a record 15 competing.
Onlookers taking pictures at the Inverness Highland Games 2023.
Crowd enjoying watching and taking pictures at the Inverness Highland Games 2023 while sheltered from the rain.
Female 100m winner Arvellous Igbinidu in action.
Female 100m winner Arvellous Igbinidu.
Pieter Bouma, winner of the hammer throw.
Pieter Bouma, winner of the hammer throw.
Emma Mcmahon competing.
Emma McMahon competing.
Greg Walker giving it his all for the stone put.
Greg Walker giving it his all for the stone put.