Halkirk Highland Games chieftain praises event committee and reflects on day of ‘wonderful fun’
The Halkirk Highland Games chieftain, Viscount Thurso, talked about his memories of the event which he calls ‘the highlight of the Caithness summer’.
In his foreword to the programme, Viscount Thurso sent out a warm welcome to all those visiting the 119th Halkirk Highland Games.
“For over a century, the Halkirk Games has been a highlight of the Caithness summer and has developed into one of Scotland’s premier Highland Games,” he says.
“Based on years of tradition it continues to improve and innovate every year. Competitors come from all across Scotland and from overseas to compete for the generous prizes and this keen competition creates a great spectator event.”
Viscount Thurso talked of his gratitude to the sponsors, individual and corporate, who enable the games to invest for the future and continue to innovate.
“Yet at heart, the games remain a family and village affair. It is the time when families reunite to celebrate and friends return to enjoy the warmth and hospitality of games day; a day when the children’s race and the baby competition are of equal importance to the international competitions. It is above all a day for fun.”
Speaking to Highland News and Media this week, Viscount Thurso reflected on his memories of past events. “My father always took us to the Halkirk Games and we would leave in the afternoon for about 45 minutes to have tea and biscuits with a retired schoolteacher on the little road next to Gerston. We’d go back and it would be the end of the games. Mummy would do the prizegiving and daddy would do the closing speech.
“In those days the closing ceremony was almost as big as the opening ceremony and there was a full prizegiving in which the cups were handed out one after the other. That, of course, has changed as there are many, many more very professional athletes, particularly amongst the ‘Heavies’, who get their prizes once their event is over.”
He went on to reflect upon his memories as a child when he and his brother were given a couple of shillings to go on the fair rides. “They were thruppence a ride and we’d shoot with those funny airguns with the cork on the end trying to knock over the ducks. We’d come back with little woolly prizes and it was such huge and wonderful fun.”
Viscount Thurso believes that “having fun” is a key element of the Halkirk Highland Games and it provides an opportunity for families and friends to get together with visitors for the special day. “What’s changed over the years is that it is now miles bigger. There are many more tents, shops, a range of takeaway food, sponsors tents and suchlike.
“Because it’s so good it attracts the top Heavies. Because it attracts the top Heavies it is able to pay good prize money. Because it pays good prize money and has the Heavies it attracts sponsorship. There are Highland games all across Scotland that don’t get the same quality of contestants. A lot of them are struggling but Halkirk has gone from strength to strength. “
The Games chieftain also pays homage to the professionalism of the committee running the event which includes some of his nephews. “They know what they’re doing and they do it well.
“The success of the games is down to the hard work and organising skills of the committee who meet and plan throughout the year and undertake all the work before, during and after the games to make the day run smoothly and I thank them for all their hard work.
“But it is the support of visitors and locals that makes games day the great occasion it is, and I thank everyone for all your support, and wish you an enjoyable Halkirk Games 2024.”