Forres Highland Games set for big return after Covid pandemic
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FORRES' community is ready to show visitors how a real Highland Games is done - for the 94th time!
This year's chieftain, as well as the president and secretary of the event, are grateful to the loyal band of volunteers who ensure its success time and time again, and especially to the competitors, performers and stallholders who are appreciated by thousands of attendees from far and wide every summer.
Current Forres Heritage Trust chairman and former leader of Moray Council, George Alexander, is honoured to be Forres Highland Games chieftain on Saturday, July 2.
He said: "I'm delighted and privileged. I'm looking forward to meeting lots of people and I'm hoping for similar weather to that of the Jubilee weekend!
"The Forres Games is the best of them all and has the advantage of being held in the unique Grant Park. The fact that we are now about to see the 94th Games is proof of the popularity and longevity of the event."
George, who was a tug-o'-war participant in his Young Farmers heyday, is a lifelong fan of highland games, having watched his father take part, enjoyed the 1955 film Geordie about a hammer thrower, investigated the history of all-round athlete Donald Dinnie and been raised in the same parish as the greatest modern day highland games athlete, Bill Anderson.
He said: "I enjoy all the events but the message boys bicycle race in Forres is particularly good fun. It's always a pleasure to see fit, young people indulge in honest, physical competition.
"Apart from the sports, my particular favourite is the pipe bands - especially the massed bands, which is a real spectacle."
George points out that the Forres Games' exemplary organisation depends on their dedicated volunteer force.
He said: "The volunteers make the event such a great attraction - the amount of work that goes on behind the scenes is phenomenal.
"Local businesses also play an important part and the games help maintain the sense of community Forres is famous for."
The chieftain is calling on the entire community, particularly new members, to come and see what the fuss is about.
He said: "Come and see how enjoyable the spectacle is. Hopefully some of you will offer help to keep this very important part of the town's tradition going for another 100 years!"
Mike Scott has been Forres Highland Games secretary for 40 years and a committee member for 62.
He said: "I first got involved aged 15 while as secretary of Forres Harriers. I was a middle distance athlete and a hill runner. I've run Ben Nevis, the Cairngorms and the 26 miles from Inverness to Forres four times!
"I'm looking forward to getting back to normal and the games giving something back to the town after the pandemic."
Mike confirmed the packed programme this year features solo pipers, road racers, track and field entries.
He said: "Athletes are coming from Aberdeen, Inverness and the Black Isle. We also have a few competitors from abroad, including a heavy who is here on honeymoon from New Zealand. He's a former Finland international rugby player.
"There will be nine bands in the mass pipe band - solo pipers are coming from as far south as Fife, up through Aberdeenshire and further north."
Finally, Forres Highland Games president Fred, Davidson, joined the games committee while working for the council in 1982 - the same year the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh attended the Forres Highland Games.
Fred took on his current role when former heavy athlete and games president, Kenny MacDonald, passed away in 2010.
Fred is also a former heavies events sportsman who competed at Highland games throughout the North.
Fred, Mike and fellow committee members Jim Lawther and Bruce Kerr help judge heavies events around the local games every summer.
He said: "Forres Highland Games is a fantastic afternoon of traditional sports and music - with something for everyone.
"The community is keen to get out-and-about again after two years of no games. So please come and support a spectacular event that has been greatly missed ... and bring the sunshine with you!"
