Chieftain named for first Forres Highland Games in three years
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A FORMER Moray Council leader has been named as the chieftain for this year’s Forres Highland Games.
George Alexander (73) said he was thrilled to be selected for the role for this year’s games which are returning for the first time in three years on July 2.
He said:"It’s a real honour and I’m delighted to be chieftain at these games as they are so very significant after not being able to take place for the last two years.
“I believe it was only ever in wartime that the games did not take place, so it’s a real pleasure to be bringing them back after what everyone has gone through since the start of the pandemic.
“Putting on an event like this is no mean feat and the organisers who are all volunteers work so hard to bring a great event to Forres.
“I am hoping that given the last two years, the local community and hopefully visitors to the town really come out in force to support this wonderful day.”
George is well known locally for his time as a councillor, teacher and farmer. He is also heavily involved with a number of local charities and groups including the Forres Heritage Trust and Forres Community Activities Association.
Despite his wealth of experience in differing roles, George admits that he has little experience actually competing in Highland Games events despite a “fleeting” experience decades ago.
“I was around 18 years old and was at an event at Echt in Aberdeenshire and decided to take part in the Cumberland Wrestling,” George said.
“I was drawn against the late Bill Anderson. Those who know the sport will understand that he is described as being Scotland’s greatest ever Highland Games heavyweight athlete.
“Needless to say, I didn’t win, we just treated it as a training exercise.
“I have always been of the mind that the taking part is more important than the winning.”
The former Forres Academy teacher can, however, boast previous experience as a chieftain having been selected for the first Piping At Forres nine years ago.
“It was actually quite amusing,” George added, “It hadn’t been realised that a chieftain was required at Piping At Forres, so what shall we say, I was brought in to fill the role.
“However, that was an honour as well, and given that Piping At Forres went onto be such a huge success, it’s a feather in my cap to say that I was its first ever chieftain.”
Three years ago, the number of visitors attending the games increased by 20 per cent. That included tourists from Germany, Hong Kong, Spain, the USA, New Zealand, Ireland, France and Canada.
Mike Scott, honorary secretary of the Forres Highland Games, is hoping for a similar turnout this year with George as chieftain.
He said: “The Board of Trustees are all looking forward to the return of our annual event with fresh optimism and excitement.
“George had been unanimously chosen to be chieftain of the 2020 games, but of course these were cancelled.
“George has been chosen, as over the years he has made a much valued contribution as a volunteer to the success of our Games.
“Each year he is on the Games field, sleeves rolled up, getting stuck in helping us prepare for our event and clearing away afterwards.
“We also want to acknowledge George and commend him for all the great volunteer work he has done for the Forres community through his involvement with the European Pipe Band Championships, the Forres Heritage Trust and Forres Mechanics to name but a few.”
