Scotland’s economy received another £25 million boost last year as a result of the continued popularity of its highland games.
The Scottish Highland Games Association (SHGA), the governing body of traditional highland games, has revealed that over 300,000 people visited the 63 highland games across Scotland that it oversees.
Strong interest from international visitors — keen on exploring the country’s history and heritage — is seen as contributing to the continued success of the events.
Highland games across the country have noted that attendances in 2017 were up.
They also reported that the number of competitors taking part in the piping, cycling, tug o’ war, and light and heavy athletics remained strong.
The number of competitors in the highland dancing events was higher than in recent years, with some games seeing record numbers.
There was also a significant increase in the number of youths registering with the SHGA to compete at games.
This upsurge in interest can be attributed to work taking place throughout Scotland to encourage youth participation in the disciplines, something that the association is keen to build on.
In April, it held a well-attended introduction to highland games event at Glamis Castle that allowed people to try different activities.
The association plans to repeat the event once again in spring 2018.
Similar initiatives and programmes are held throughout Scotland with the aim of attracting a new generation into highland games and these continue to go from strength to strength
In Angus, Angus Active Schools, in partnership with Strathmore Highland Games, holds an annual mini highland games event, which continues to grow in popularity and is enjoyed by all the pupils who take part.
Forfar-based Charlie Murray, who is president of the Scottish Highland Games Association, said: “Scotland’s highland games have once again seen a very successful year with healthy attendance figures.
“Highland games continue to be a major draw for international visitors and their importance in Scotland’s summer outdoor events calendar and to the wider tourism industry is as valuable as ever.”
Other notable highlights from the 2017 games season included Blair Atholl’s Lorne Colthart lifting the World Caber title at Inverary Highland Games.
At the same event Lukasz Wenta from East Kilbride broke a 12-year-old world record in the 56lb weight over the bar, launching the weight to a height of 17ft 3in.
While at the World Pipe Band Championships, Inverary and District Pipe Band, under Pipe Major Stuart Liddell, won the grade one competition.
At the SHGA’s annual awards ceremony in October, Forfar athlete Craig Bell was recognised for his many years of competing on the highland games circuit by being presented with the award for veteran athlete.
Highlighting the important role of highland games in Scotland, the SHGA was honoured that His Royal Highness The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay agreed in early 2017 to become its first Royal Patron, which coincided with the association’s 70th anniversary.
There was further royal recognition when the contribution of a number of games officials was acknowledged in June’s Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Stevie Ryder of Crieff and Aboyne’s Peter Nicol were awarded MBEs, while Margaret Mather of Inverary received a British Empire Medal.
The 2018 highland games season gets under way in mid-May, with games taking place every weekend until mid-September — along with many on weekdays during July and August.
For more information and a full list of member events, visit www.shga.co.uk.
