The Duke of Rothesay made a surprise visit to Angus on Friday when he dropped in on the 150th anniversary Glenisla Games.
On the milestone occasion which saw the re-creation of a historic march down the glen to the games field beside the River Isla, the Royal guest thrilled locals and international visitors at the sun-kissed gathering.
He spent more than an hour at the Forter Haugh event, and was welcomed to the gathering by patron Lord Airlie and games chairman Arthur Lawrence.
Prince Charles watched the opening parade led by Dundee City Pipe Band, and the presentation of a specially commissioned banner to mark the Airlie family’s constant patronage of the event, before treating the crowds to a large walkabout.
As well as meeting many locals for whom the gathering is the highlight of the summer calendar, the Duke of Rothesay also chatted to Highland Dancers competing at Glenisla as part of a summer warm-up to the approaching World Championships in Argyll at the end of this month.
City of #Dundee Pipe Band led the parade of banners onto the #Glenisla Games field after the Duke of Rothesay dropped in for the 150th anniversary event. #heritage #Angus pic.twitter.com/Cs4EnUqjzO
— Graham Brown (@C_GBrown1) August 23, 2019
As patron of the Scottish Highland Games Association, the Duke of Rothesay is well-known through the Royal family’s support of the world-famous Braemar Gathering.
Glenisla Games chairman Mr Lawrence said: “We had planned the march to celebrate the 150th games, and to have the Duke of Rothesay agree to spend time at the event is the icing on the cake for such a milestone.
“It is an honour for the games committee to welcome him and I am sure it is a treat for the crowd who will not have been expecting to see him here.”
For story and pictures of the Royal day see Saturday’s Courier.
