PICTURES: The Inverness Highland Games returned on Saturday as thousands of spectators watched the day’s entertainment
OPENED by Inverness Provost Glynis Campbell-Sinclair, the games hosted a variety of traditional events and some with a more modern twist.
Throughout the day spectators cheered on track and field competitors, while others enjoyed a charity relay won by Poppyscotland, local musicians and catering from a variety of food vendors.
The world’s strongest brothers, Tom and Luke Stoltman, were honorary guests this year.
The famous pair posed for pictures with fans, took part in live demonstrations and hosted a Q&A session with the public where they revealed they are filming a movie about their journey to being strongmen – set to be released later this year with a premier in Inverness.
It was the first time charity High Life Highland took over the organising of the event and the first time it was help since 2019, due to the pandemic. More than 4000 people bought pre-event tickets.
Steve Walsh, chief executive of High Life Highland, said: “Post-pandemic it almost feels like we are getting back to some sort of normal. There’s always a risk with planning any of these things. We’ve got thousands of people coming through the gate, so it was way beyond our expectations.
“For our teams here it’s about trying to make people feel local for a day. The most important part of that is they’ll come back but they’ll also tell their family and friends to come and that’s really good for the economy. We’ve got to really focus on how we welcome people to the city and to the rest of the Highlands.
“It’s really important for us to give it a local feel with traditional music, local food and drink. But there are always things that you can do better.
“It’s a Highland games so we need to keep it with that Highland feel.”
High Life Highland events manager Amy MacLeod said: “In what has been a challenging time for the events sector, we are all absolutely delighted at how successful Saturday’s games went.
“We welcomed over 7000 people through the gates and without exception, the feedback from the public and vendors has been overwhelmingly positive.
“The atmosphere in every area of the park was just incredible and I hope everyone who attended had a great time.
“I’d like to say a huge thank you to all of our volunteers and staff who helped run the games and to all of our exhibitors and vendors.
“This was the first year High Life Highland has delivered the city’s Highland Games on behalf of the City of Inverness Area Committee Events and Festivals Working Group and I hope we have delivered an event that made them and the people of Inverness proud.
“We are already looking forward to the 2023 games and we’re buzzing with ideas.”
