The new caber at Pitlochry Highland Games on Saturday was given a ceremonial welcome and introduction to the event.
It replaced the caber that had been used for many years but competitors had become too strong and skilful and most were able to toss it. The new one was carried into the arena by a team of local heavies, led by Vale of Atholl Pipe Band.
Games chieftain Charles Butter then inducted the caber with a dash of whisky from a small quaich.
But when it came to the serious business of tossing it, five of the athletes were able to achieve perfect 12 o’clock tosses, including Lorne Colthart, his brother David, and dad David Sr.
The others were Peter Hart and Stuart Anderson. Heavyweights convener Raymond McIntosh said that the new caber would be placed in a burn for a spell to add weight to it for next year.
At the start of the heavyweight events the competitors stood in silent tribute to David Charity who died on July 23. He was a highly respected steward of the heavy events at Pitlochry for around 40 years.Photo gallery: Pitlochry Highland GamesIn the local heavyweight events Lorne Colthart established three new records, two of which he set last year. In the 16lb shot he threw 52ft 9in, beating last year’s record of 48ft 10.5in.
In the 16lb hammer, Lorne threw 134ft, beating last year’s 124ft 2.5in, and in the 28lb weight for distance he threw 77ft 5in, beating the 72ft 8in set by Stuart Anderson in 2010.
After some early morning events, around 20 bands marched through the town to the games field.
At the close of the day the bands, totalling around 800 pipes and drums, marched on to the field and played Heilan’ Laddie, a salute to the games chieftain.
Three drum majors Kenny Forbes and Alister Walker of Vale of Atholl, and Duncan MacDonald, Beauly showed their skills in a demonstration before the award for smartest drum major was presented to Mr MacDonald.
Organisers said the attendance seemed to be well in excess of 5,000.