Organisers hoping for positive reaction from public as Halkirk Highland Games return
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Halkirk Highland Games – one of the best and most popular on the Scottish circuit – will go ahead this weekend for the first time in three years.
The event was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic but it returns to Recreation Park on Saturday and the organisers are hoping the varied programme will attract a bumper crowd.
Chairman Iain Mackenzie is confident there will be a positive reaction from the public, although he admits it is "a bit scary" holding the games for the first time since 2019.
"It's a good feeling too, though, and now is the time to go ahead with the games again," he said. "I think people will want to have a day out."
The total prize money will be over £37,000, while three Scottish championship medals will be on offer – in the 16 lb and 22 lb hammers and the 800 metre cycle event.
With such generous money available, the games are bound to attract a top field of athletes who will battle it out for a total of 50 trophies and a share of the prize fund.
One of the great attractions is the heavy events, which invariably generate keen competition between local, national and often international athletes.
The heavy athletes can pick up £1000 for a world record in the 16 lb and 22 lb hammers, 16 lb ball, 22 lb Halkirk Stone, 28 lb weight for distance, 56 lb weight for distance and 56 lb weight for height.
In addition, there will be £500 for establishing a ground record and £200 for a Caithness record.
The heavies receive a first prize of £400 in each of their nine events, £250 for second place, £150 for third place, £100 for fourth and £75 for fifth.
As well as the excitement of the heavy competition, there will be plenty to entertain the public.
The cycling is likely to provide many close tussles, while the track-and-field contests are again expected to see intense rivalry between competitors from Caithness and those from outwith the county.
The various events will keep the crowd enthralled during the course of what will be a busy day, getting under way with the piobaireachd competition starting at 10.30am.
The grand pipe band march from Bridge Street takes place at noon, and the opening ceremony will be performed at 12.15pm by the games chieftain, Viscount Thurso.
While the competitive elements of the games are still an integral part of the proceedings, there is also spectacle and entertainment to ensure visitors and locals alike enjoy the occasion. Apart from the heavy, track-and-field, cycling, piping and Highland dancing events, there will be many other activities to savour.
These include clay-pigeon shooting, children’s races and the baby show as well as a variety of novelty attractions, including a kilted race. In total nearly 100 events will be staged on the day.
There will also be funfair attractions and stalls selling crafts and produce. Musical entertainment will be provided by the Wick and Thurso pipe bands throughout the afternoon and on Bridge Street at 7.30pm.
Mr Mackenzie said: "We are having a limited-edition Halkirk Games Gin made this year by North Point Distillery. They are making 300 individually numbered bottles which will be on sale at the games from the North Point Distillery stand.
"Clan Gunn are also having their 20th international gathering at the games this year with approximately 60 members from around the world attending. Clan chief Iain Gunn of Gunn will be there."
Mr Mackenzie pointed out that entry to the games and dance, and all drinks at the bar, will be cash only as the organisers do not have the facility for card payments.
The first Halkirk Highland Games, organised by Halkirk Athletic Club, were held in 1886 adjacent to the newly built Gerston distillery, moving to a field near Hoy railway station before finally settling in Recreation Park in 1921. The initial 16 events have grown to nearly 100 and the prize money is the highest of any games in Scotland.
The professional organisation and warm welcome attracts competitors and visitors from all over the world.
A full commentary on the various events will be provided throughout the afternoon.
To complete the entertainment, a marquee dance will be held in Recreation Park at 10pm with music by Eclipse.
Adult tickets for the games cost £8, senior citizens £5 and schoolchildren £3. Parking will be free.
Everything is looking good for yet another successful show. Mr Mackenzie added: "All we need now is some good weather on Saturday."
It is the time when families reunite to celebrate and friends return to enjoy the warmth and hospitality of games day.
Halkirk Games chieftain Viscount Thurso says it is "an immense and special pleasure" to welcome people back to the gathering for the first time since the start of Covid.
Writing in the foreword to the games programme, he says: "For over a hundred years the Halkirk Games has been a highlight of the Caithness summer and has developed into one of Scotland’s premier Highland Games. 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. 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."
He adds: "The success of the games is possible through the generous support of our sponsors for which we are most grateful. However, it is 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, that make the games the success it is.
"I thank them for all their hard work but most of all it is the support of visitors and locals that makes games day the great occasion it is, and particularly this year I thank everyone for all your support, and wish you an enjoyable return for the Halkirk Games 2022."
