With 850 Tickets available!
‘The Grampian Highland Games Gathering’
PARTICIPATION IN THE EVENT IS BY INVITATION ONLY
In a second year, where dozens of highland games have been cancelled across Scotland due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Grampian Highland Games Association in conjunction with Scottish Highland Games Association are to stage a one off motivational games in Braemar on Saturday 14th August. With the easing of restrictions and a strong desire to retain the interest of the hundreds of competitors who annually participate in games across the country and abroad, the organisers feel that this event will help to keep the tradition of Highland Games alive and allow all disciplines a glimmer of hope that games will bounce back in the coming years.
The cancellation of annual games, that are an integral part of community life and tourism in so many parts of Scotland, have been incredibly hard decisions to take over the past two years. There has also been much worry and speculation as to the motivational and fitness levels of competitors, particularly in the heavy sports and tug o war sections, which are so key to the tradition of highland games.
This special ‘one off’ event is to be held in the Princes Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park, Braemar on Saturday 14th August from 11am to 3pm. The park is home to the annual Braemar Gathering, one of the most long standing and popular highland games in the world. However principally the organisers have chosen this famous field as it has a perfect infrastructure and seating capacity to allow excellent social distancing for competitors and the public for this event. To date the organisers have been delighted with the willingness of competitors from all sections to take part, including Heavies, Highland Dancing, Tug O’War, Light Athletics, Solo Piping and a Hill Race. PARTICIPATION IN THE EVENT IS BY INVITATION ONLY. Following the massive success of a ‘virtual’ highland games being filmed and broadcast last year, this event will also be filmed to promote the unique character and charm of highland games to audiences all over the world.
The organisers are also delighted to be able to allow a restricted number of tickets to be sold to enthusiasts and spectators. Numbers have been limited to follow Scottish Government guidelines. Tickets to The Grampian Highland Games Gathering will be sold on line at www.eventbrite.co.uk from 9am on Tuesday the 27th of July 2021 at a cost of £15 per tickets.
Chairman of Grampian Highland Games Association Mr Jim Brown of Fettercairn said “with the easing of the Covid 19 restrictions, we are delighted to be able stage the Grampian Highland Games Gathering. After two years of total cancellations we are keen to encourage our loyal athletes, dancers and pipers and show them and the public that the spirit of our beloved games is very much alive. We have observed all the regulations and hope to welcome a crowd of around 1000 to this purely one-off motivational event at Braemar."
Highland Games across Scotland annually attract over 300,000 spectators and proudly uphold over 900 years of history in the traditions linked to the gatherings and the sports. Today some 500 participants annually compete in over 1000 competitions mixed with upwards of 6000 organisers, helpers and volunteers from communities across the country. Highland Games give competitors and participants the opportunity to express themselves, and athletes, dancers, pipers and pipe-bands depend the annual games and gatherings as a forum to demonstrate their fitness and expertise.
Denise Forsyth, Secretary
Grampian Highland Games Association
Mobile 07795546657
Email grampian-gathering@outlook.com
Published: 2021-07-27 12:13:06