Scottish Highland Games Association

Perth set to bring curtain down on busy spell on Games circuit

SHANE FENTON previews the weekend action.

This Sunday's Perth Highland Games will bring the curtain down on what is one of the busiest spells on the circuit, with many calling it the new 'week away' with competitors having competed at Games on five successive days.

Following having to cancel the Perth Highland Games at the 11th hour in 2017 due to the horrendous condition on the South Inch following the Perth Show, the organisers are taking no chances this year and the 2018 event will go ahead on Sunday at Scone Parklands adjacent to the Palace and Racecourse. This is not the first time the Games will have taken place at this venue having done so in 2001.

Once again a full programme of traditional events is on offer for the expected big crowd. Two SHGA track championships will take place, the Scottish 90 metres running championship and the 1000 metres Scottish Cycle Championship, incidentally the 1991 course and distance winners were, Tommy Finkle,Jedburgh and Jock Hardie,Coaltown of Balgonie respectively.

These events are supported by a full programme of races for both Open [90,200,400,800,1600 and 3200] and Youth athletes [90,200,800 and 1600].

The Open bikers have handicaps over,1600m,3200m,4800m and Deil..

With no other Games in opposition you can expect all the top throwers to do battle in all the traditional disciplines, for many Perth will be their 9th games in the space of 12 days.

With the 'Worlds' only a week away, over 60 pipe bands will put the final touches to their preparations at Scone. As ever the highland dancing competitions have attracted a big entry as has the solo piping.

24 hours before Perth there is four Highland Games scheduled for Saturday at North Berwick,Strathpeffer,Abernethy and Aberfeldy.

Published: 2018-08-10 16:07:48