Perth & Kinross

Best pictures from Blackford Highland Games

All roads led to Blackford on Saturday for the first gathering on the Highland Games calendar for 2024

The Blairgowrie and Rattray Pipe Band entertain the crowds. All images: Kenny Smith/DC Thomson

By Morag Lindsay & Jamie Ross

May 25 2024, 6:33pm

May 25 2024, 6:33pm

Blackford Highland Games kicked off the 2024 season in style.

The annual gathering is the first on the Royal Scottish Highland Games Association calendar.

The crowds enjoyed Highland dancing competitions and heavyweight events, as well as pipe bands and a host of family entertainment.

This year’s Blackford Highland Games chieftain was Archie Stirling, Laird of Keir.

The Scottish theatrical producer is a former officer in the Scots Guards, who was married to the late Dame Diana Rigg. His uncle Colonel Sir David Stirling founded the SAS and his daughter Rachael Stirling is a well-known actress in her own right.

The games park in Blackford is on Keir and Cawdor Estates land.

Here is a selection of pictures from the day from our photographer, Kenny Smith.

Runners make their way round the track.

Highland dancers on stage.

Participants in the long jump.

Blairgowrie and Rattray Pipe Band entertain the crowds.

Runners make their way round the track.

The Chieftain and the Highland Games Archie Stirling and the Highland Games committee makes its way onto the games ground.

Cyclists race round the track during the games.

Cyclists race round the track during the games.

The Heavies participate in the shot putt.

The Heavies participate in the shot putt.

The prizewinners in the junior solo Piping are William muirhead, Arran Green, Judge Roddy MacLeod MBE former director of the piping centre, Callan Erskine and Arthur MacKay.

Cyclists take shelter from the sun during a break in the racing.

Daniel Paxton crosses the line first in the early heats of the 100m handicap sprint.

Cyclists race round the track during the games.

Auchterarder Primary school lead the way in the Primary Schools Relay race.

Auchterarder Primary school lead the way in the Primary Schools Relay race.

Auchterarder Primary school lead the way in the Primary Schools Relay race.

Highland dancers performing for the judges.

Highland dancers performing for the judges.

Bruce Robb junior heavyweight champion from Dunfermline with his trophy following the presentation from the Chieftain, Archie Stirling.

The chieftain of the games Archie Stirling addresses the crowd.

The Chieftain Archie Stirling and the rest of the committee members ahead of the games.

The Winning Primary school, Auchterarder Primary with the silver salver and their medals presented by the chieftain of the games Archie Stirling and Games President Stuart Laing.

Junior Piping Champion (March) Callan Erskine receives his medal and trophy from Piping Judge Roddy MacLeod MBE former director of the piping centre.

Junior Piping Champion Arran Green receives his medal and trophy from Piping Judge Roddy MacLeod MBE former director of the piping centre.

John Fleming crosses the line in 1st place in the handicap 100m sprint final.

Cyclists race round the track during the games.

Cyclists race round the track during the games.

The Heavies participate in the shot putt.

Participants in the long jump.

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