An ambitious bid has been launched to draw a new generation of youngsters to traditional Highland games and culture.
Following the 2013 demise of both the Montrose Highland Games and the long-standing Montrose Donkey Derby, the town’s Rotary Club and Highland Games Committee hope a new summer event will attract legions of new faces for games, dancing and piping competitions.
It will take the form of a junior Highland games and is scheduled for Union Park Rugby and Cricket Ground on Sunday September 14.
“The focus on sport in Scotland driven by this year’s Commonwealth Games provides an ideal opportunity to rekindle interest in our Highland heritage and what better way than to hold a junior Highland games in Montrose this summer,” said Rotary president Colin Den-McKay.
He said the event has risen from the ashes of the Highland Games and Donkey Derby, both of which folded last year for similar reasons, including mounting costs and unpredictable weather.
The Highland games were first staged in Montrose in 1859, ran until 1929 and were resurrected in 1979.
The Donkey Derby was a popular fun event in the town’s summer calendar for many years, with former town councillor George Norrie at the helm.
Robina Addison, chairwoman of the games committee and a driving force behind the new junior games, is confident local primary schools will get behind the event.
“I would hope the games could attract up to 2,000 competitors, parents and spectators,” she said.
Mr Den-McKay said he recognised the challenge posed by an undertaking on such a scale but was in no doubt the townsfolk of Montrose and the surrounding area would rally behind the games.
“Help and support from other organisations and local businesses will be vital in delivering a first-class, family fun event worthy of Montrose,” he said.
Organising committee members Alice Horodecki and Clive Bartram added: “We hope the junior games will join the other events on the town’s entertainment calendar and help put the town back on the map.”