'Honour' for Forres Highland Games chieftain George Alexander and junior chieftains Amy McGhee and James McPartlin
Easier access to your trusted, local news. Subscribe to a digital package and support local news publishing.
THE chieftain and junior chieftains of the 2022 Forres Highland Games have spoken of their honour in taking on their roles.
Chieftain George Alexander is well-known in the community for his voluntary work, and time spent as a councillor.
But the Highland Games is something he is a relative newcomer to.
“I was hugely honoured to be chieftain," he said.
“In the Highland Games committee I’ve only ever really been a dogsbody, helping set up.
“For the last few years, I’ve been in charge of looking after the VIPs. I’m not a long-standing member, this is one of the more recent groups I’ve been with.”
Mr Alexander had three of his children and six of his grandchildren at Grant Park for the Games.
“It’s been great to have them all here,” he added.
“The younger ones are a bit confused as to what it’s all about but they’re enjoying all the food and drink. It has been very enjoyable overall.”
At the 94th running of the games, George Alexander became the first chieftain to have junior chieftains under his wing.
Amy McGhee and James McPartlin (both 17) spent the day with him.
The Forres Academy pupils, who have just moved up to sixth year, were selected by their guidance tutor for the role.
The idea behind the introduction of the junior chieftains is to encourage more youngsters to attend the Games.
“It was really nice to be a part of the day,” Amy said.
"I was thrilled when my guidance teacher thought of me and James.
"I come to the Highland Games when they are on, so I was quite excited.
"I really liked being able to walk behind the pipe band. George kept us right throughout the day and made sure we knew what we were doing.”
James added: “It was an honour to do something like this.
“It was nice meeting all the different people who are prominent in the Highland Games who have been part of the community for a long time.
“It was good that there was such a good turnout, even with it forecast to be raining. After three years, the fact there is still such interest is good.”