Strathmore Highland Games organisers are keeping fingers crossed that flaming June may just arrive in time for a bumper offering of traditional sports involving young newcomers to the regulars of Scotland’s summer circuit.
The deluge which swept Angus on Thursday was the last thing the games committee needed ahead of a planned mini highland games on the field in the grounds of Glamis Castle involving some 300 primary school-aged youngsters from local schools.
The Friday event has established itself as a eagerly-anticipated tradition after being dreamt up as part of a drive to encourage new blood into the track and field events.
Strathmore’s grass roots project has grown to involve secondary school pupils in the Angus area, and the aim is to further broaden out a scheme in which the Angus committee provide mini highland games kits for schools to use all year round.
Lorna Cochrane of the games committee said: “It has become a huge event, and one the kids really look forward to.
“We have eight primaries from the Glamis and Eassie area, as well as the Angus glens, and the kids take part in all the main events you might see at a full-scale highland games – tossing the caber, throwing the weight for distance, shot put and tug o’ war.
“We have invested a lot of money in equipment and been incredibly lucky with support from sponsors and Angus Council’s Give It A Go fund.”
Loran added: “At Webster’s High School in Kirriemuir we have also been running a lunchtime tug o’ war for the pupils and we can already see the technique and enthusiasm of youngsters who may have been part of the mini games in the past couple of years.
“It is all about trying to encourage interest in highland games, and perhaps encourage youngsters and their families to attend the main Strathmore Games on Sunday at Glamis Castle, or any other highland games.”
The Earl of Strathmore will once again take on the chieftain’s role for Sunday’s spectacle, with Lathallan Pipe band officially opening the programme at noon, although some events will be underway before then.
“Pipe band quartets are a new addition to the competitive programme this year as part of our continuing efforts to bring something new to the games,” added Lorna.
