This year’s Highland Games in Mey will be unique in its own right as the first ever para-athlete Highland Games is to be held at the Caithness venue.
The event, hosted by Royal British Legion Scotland, will see 60 para-athletes from across the globe travel to take place in the milestone games, with some travelling from as far afield as Australia and America.
Chairman of the games, Captain Richard of the Royal British Legion Scotland (RBLS), said: “We are delighted to have so many para-athletes taking part this year from around the globe.
“We want to make sure each of the para-athletes and everybody at the games has an enjoyable time.”
Capt Richard added: “The Mey Games is now a major annual event in Caithness. Last year we had 1,500 visitors and this year we hope to welcome between 2,500 and 3,500 people.
“We are all volunteers and work hard to ensure the event is a big success. It’s a community event and we want the local community to be part of it. We offer free stalls to local businesses as we want to encourage them to be involved.”
The games once again has been sponsored by Natural Retreats who provide complimentary use of the showground to the Mey Games after the previous location, close to the Castle of Mey, became waterlogged.
Ewan Kearney, chief operating officer at Natural Retreats, said: “We are absolutely delighted to support the Mey Games again this year. It is already a highlight of the Highland Games calendar and a big social event for the local community.
“The fact that the Mey Games will become the first Highland Games in Scotland to include para-athletes’ events is very exciting and we are delighted that some of the best para-athletes from across the globe will be coming to John O’Groats to participate.”
The Mey Highland Games is set to take place on Saturday 4 August.
