An international audience enjoyed the spectacle of the Strathmore Highland Games yesterday in the grounds of Glamis Castle.
Visitors from around the world descended on the showground to be treated to a display of musical and athletic talent.
Any fears of rain spoiling play were allayed when the clouds cleared and the skirl of the pipes welcomed hundreds of spectators.
The games were officially opened by Simon Patrick Bowes-Lyon, 19th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne in his capacity as Games chieftain.
In his message he said: “I always think it is so fitting this ancient castle, which is part of our nation’s history, plays host to an event steeped in the traditions of the country.
“The committee, under the guidance of chairman Mr Charlie Murray, work tirelessly to make the games the spectacle we have all come to expect.”
Lorna Cochrane, committee member, was overwhelmed with the number of visitors, from home and abroad, who travelled to Glamis.
She said: “People were queuing to get into the car parks from 9 am.
“It has been phenomenal.”
The event attracted visitors from all over Europe, New Zealand, Australia and America, and was also well supported by local residents.
Lorna continued: “I have seen many locals here, families enjoying a great day out. It is great to see so many of them coming along.”
Competitors toughed it out in the running, cycling, tug-o-war, pipe band and Highland dancing competitions with the day’s event beginning with the solo piping and junior Heavies.
Lorna added: “Grant Watson, a local Heavy competitor, and our chairman have been working with pupils at Webster’s High School in Kirriemuir who are competing today.
“We have worked closely with Magnus Moncrieff of Active Angus’s Kirriemuir cluster, whose help has been outstanding.
“We have introduced over 600 pupils to Junior Highland Games in the last week.
“We had primary seven pupils from Airlie, Cortachy, Eassie, Glamis, Isla, Newtyle and Tannadice here on Thursday for the Junior Highland Games, and a further 350 at Northmuir Primary in Kirriemuir on Friday, giving children the experience of a Highland Games.”
The new Taste of Angus section at yesterday’s event offered a wide selection of local produce.
Among those selling his wares was 16-year-old Owen Foster of Owen’s Angus Jams who supplies his home-made jams to Glamis Castle.
Manning the stall with his parents, Jude and Jim, and his sister Edana, he said the demand for his jams had been “phenomenal.”
“We were at the Angus Show on Saturday and completely sold out.”
The family was up until midnight on Saturday making more supplies, with Owen’s granny, Joyce Murray, also roped in to make more raspberry jam.
Welcoming the influx of visitors Tommy Baxter, Glamis Castle general manager said: “This is one of the biggest events of the year for us.
“We have had a long association with the Strathmore Games which is now one of the most biggest and most popular.”
The full results visit www.strathmorehighlandgames.co.uk.
