ORGANISERS OF this weekend’s Strathmore Highland Games at Glamis Castle are keen to add an international flavour to proceedings, on and off the competition field.

Sunday’s gathering has already received good support on a number of fronts for the many and varied competitions.

Organisers’ efforts to encourage more entries in the junior heavies section have continued to pay off, with new competitors signing up.

A sponsor for the category has also come forward in the form of Strathmore Farmers Market Direct, based on the Glamis estate.

The games committee have been assisted in their promotional efforts by Kirriemuir-based Hi-Fli Flags and Banners, and an eye-catching new banner handed over yesterday by the company’s Rory Blackwood is to be strategically placed to help tempt passing visitors to drop in at the event.

“We have had a lot of calls, many of them from international groups who wanted to know when the games were taking place, so hopefully we will see a number of foreign visitors in the crowd,” said a games committee official.

“We have also introduced an international visitors’ race to the programme this year, so they can join in rather than just spectating!

“Now we are just keeping our fingers crossed for good weather on Sunday.”

Other highlights include the Scottish caber-tossing and tug o’ war championships, Highland dancing, track and cycling events, as well as solo piping.

This weekend is the games’ first under its new Strathmore title. The name was changed from Forfar Highland Games after a venue switch to the castle grounds a few years ago.