After Saturday’s dismal weather, the sun shone on Markinch Highland Games on Sunday.
Crowds flocked to what is the first of the traditional Highland Games in the Fife calendar.
Markinch, which dates back around 200 years, offered the full range of games day events including track, highland dancing, heavy weights, pipe band competition, drumming and solo piping.
However, last month The Courier told of fears for the future of the historic games when committee assistant secretary Shane Fenton said organisers were told there would be a £600 fee later reduced – to cover police officers’ attendance.
That raised fears the long term future of the games could be in doubt.
But it ended well when a new Friend of the games came forward to foot the bill as part of a sponsorship deal.
The games, held at John Dixon Park, are an early season boost for competing athletes as it stages a series of four lucrative 90m invitation races.
What is unusual for athletes is that the 90-metre track at Markinch is the only one on the highland games circuit which still uses the “Chariots of Fire” style stringed lanes.
