In the warmth of a summer’s evening, countless locals and visitors converged at the town’s Sir George’s Square on Saturday night to enjoy the annual crowning ceremony and procession of floats.

Doreen Macleod, chairperson of Thurso Town Improvements Association (TTIA), which is responsible for organising events during the gala week, described the evening as magical.

Mrs Macleod said that the event had been extremely successful and counting of the money raised is set to continue throughout the week.

The evening began with the children’s fancy dress competition, a guitar solo from Lyle Watt and the street collector judging, before this year’s gala queen, Maxine Whale, was presented with her crown.

The newly-crowned queen was accompanied by her attendants, Stephanie Kelly and Tricia Whitson, flower girls Rebecca Paterson and Stacey Halliday and pageboy Alan Cowan.

Mrs Macleod began the evening’s speeches by welcoming the crowds and outlining what the money raised during last year’s gala week was spent on.

This included climbing equipment at Gillock park playing fields, the Christmas laser lights carnival, the Christmas lights in Sir George’s Square and a senior citizens’ concert.

She also paid tribute to the TTIA’s continued efforts and said: “I am so proud of my committee who are very dedicated, determined and have worked extremely hard, not only on organising the gala, but working tremendously hard for months on end on many other things.”

Mrs Macleod also took the opportunity to thank the local community which, she said, has shown tremendous support.

She explained that without help from various groups, businesses and individuals, the gala would not have been possible.

Both last year’s gala queen, Shannon MacLean, and this year’s queen, Maxine Whale, addressed the crowd before local Highland councillor Alastair MacDonald introduced this year’s guest of honour, the Jarl of Shetland.

Crowds were delighted with the return of the Viking invasion and after the procession of decorated floats, they gathered at the riverside to witness the spectacular burning of a Viking ship.

Results

Floats – Best dressed: Winner, “Wild, Wild North”, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly; runner-up, “Global Warming”, Susan, Becky and Alison Gerrard, Christine, Gillian and Steven Firth, Sheena and Jenny McLachlan, Susan Rodgers, Hilary Cumming, Shirley Lobban and Alexander Peddie.

Most topical: Winner, “Asda”, Ryan, Eileen and Kevin Mullins, Gavin Sinclair, Ian McGill and Lee Mackay; runner-up, “Big Brother Hoosie”, Miranda and Jacqueline Mackay, John and David Bain, Tanya Mcgovern, Sandie Drummond, Karen Gunn, Linda Smith, Nicola Moodie and Donald Mackay.

Most original: Winner, “Steptoe and Son”, Hendy and Murdo, Castletown; runner-up, “Sheila’s Wheels”, Murrayfield and Dunnett Connection.

Gala queen Maxine Whale with baby show winners Jack Ryan (left) and Skye MacColl, Thurso.

Best slogan: “Fame”, Children of the ’80s.

Overall winner: “Lion King”, Castletown Bosum Buddies.

Children’s fancy dress competition – Groups: 1, “Sheila’s Wheels”, Emma Munro, Hannah Deighan and Tor Mackenzie; 2, “Belly Dancers”, Kerry Wade, Aimee Begg and Katie Punler; 3, “Pirates of the Pentland Firth”, Corin, Jenny and Louis Murphy.

Pairs: 1, “Ninja Turtles”, Dylan Mcleod and Danny Reid; 2, “Dalek and Cyberman”, Martin and Steven Ness; 3, “Miss Muffet and her spider”, Heather and Isla Bain.

Under five: 1, “Sheila’s Wheels”, Syke MacColl; 2, “Scotch Broth”, Megan Webster; 3, “Caithness.org”, Aiden Urquhart. Five to eight years: 1, “Sponge Bob”, Erin Gunn; 2, “Spoilt for Choice”, Rhianna Urquhart; 3, “Clown”, Robbie McCoustra.

Nine to 12 years: 1, “Cruella De Vil”, Martha Garby; 2, “Bee”, Joseph Frame; 3, “Captain Jack Sparrow”, Tanya Howden. Overall winner: “Cruella De Vil”, Martha Garby.

Foot collector competition – Under 18: 1, “Caithness Clowns”, Sam, Danny and Annette Mackay, Iona and Eion Morrison; 2, “Deal Or No Deal”, Maisie and Kerry Moran, Kelly Tadd, Abbi Leonard and Shannon Nobel.

Adults: 1, “Traffic Light”, Eric Gunn; 2, “The Mourning After The Knight Before”, Charlotte Lowe and Linda Sinclair; 3, “The Hippy Girls”, Laura Mennie and Laura Gulloch. Groups: 1, “Batman”, Debbie Campbell, Marie Smith, Tania Bremner, Kerri Bews, Farr Macdonald, Donna Mackay, Leanne Mackay-Steven, Donna Swanson, Nikki Smith, Emma Sutherland and Anna Maulshagen; 2, “World Cup Cheerleaders”, Lynsey Macdonald, Ashley Mcbeath, Gillian Alan, Emma Campbell, Fiona Macdonald, Hannah Sinclair and Marion O’Brien.

Baby Show – Girls: Birth to six months: 1, Kayleigh Henderson; 2, Lauren Young. Six months to one year: 1, Aylah-Louise Taylor; 2, Mia Souter; 3, Rachel Durrand. 12 months to 18 months: 1, Skye MacColl; 2, Brooke Esson.

18 months to 24 months: 1, Tegan Williamson; 2, Carla Elder; 3, Saffron Sutherland. Overall winner: Skye MacColl.

Boys: Birth to six months: 1, Jack Ryan; 2, Ryan Fitzgerald; 3, Tyler MacKenzie. Six months to one year: 1, Kyle Sinclair; 2, Andrew Hewitson; 3, Cody Allan.

12 months to 18 months: 1, Ryan Sutherland; 2, Mark Munro. 18 months to 24 months: 1, Liam Manson; 2, Kyle Manson. Overall winner: Jack Ryan.

Car treasure hunt: 1, Jackie Johnson; 2, Eric Gunn; 3, Alistair Grey; booby prize, Eilidh.

e.mackay@nosn.co.uk

See this week's Caithness Courier for two pages of gala pictures

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