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Chairman Andrew Sutherland, in opening the official proceedings, welcomed everyone to the games, saying that it was good to see so many familiar faces returning to Helmsdale each year, meeting up with old friends and catching up with local news. He extended a special welcome to the visitors on holiday in Scotland, hoping that they would enjoy the "friendly games". Andrew went on to thank the people of Helmsdale, the patrons of the games and numerous sponsors for their support, and the games committee for all their hard work. Andrew then said that everyone would be thinking of Claire MacLeod and Margaret Traill and their families, saying that it must be a hard day for them all at these, the first games since losing their husbands. Both Sandy MacLeod and Tommy Traill had been enthusiastic supporters of the games, in fact, until his untimely death in February of this year, Sandy had been a hard-working and dedicated committee member. Andrew then welcomed Rita Finlayson, Helmsdale's Highland councillor, as this year's Chieftain |
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Rita said she had been a keen supporter of the games for 24 years, never missing a games day. In fact Rita had done the catering for the games for some 10 years. She said she was very proud to have been invited to become Chieftain in the village she loved so well, and paid tribute to Tommy Traill, the 2003/4 Chieftain, who fought his illness with dignity and bravery, and who would be sorely missed. Mrs Finlayson went on to acknowledge all the hard work in setting up the event and, in officially opening the games, welcomed all the spectators and competitors. Five-year-old Audrey Parsons then presented her with flowers and a decanter and glasses engraved with the official games logo and, as is customary, the pipemajor of the Wick Royal British Legion sought permission from the Chieftain to leave the field, before leading off the massed bands. The Chieftain, ex-Chieftains and their families, stewards and committee members enjoyed a splendid buffet lunch laid on by Pat Leitch, before retiring to the Chieftain's tent to enjoy a packed afternoon of events. |
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full programme of heavyweight, dancing and track and field events kept an enthusiastic crowd occupied, which, together with the many side stalls, funfair and refreshment and beer tent ensured a busy and entertaining afternoon. Particularly popular was Malky McCormick, the cartoonist, who spent a busy afternoon wickedly capturing people's likeness, and Edie Whitehead and Rupert the Bear's stall which raised £659.50 for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign. |
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Helmsdale's own Alexander MacAulay finished second in the Scottish Hill Race Championship, and was the first local home. Graham Bartlett won the event in 23 mins 56 secs. The afternoon's activities ended with the massed bands parading the games officials down to the village, and the Wick Royal British Legion gave yet another performance, in what must have been a gruelling schedule, in Dunrobin Street at 7pm. |
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This has become a time when exiled Helmies return home for the games and friends and families get together for impromptu parties. For those with plenty of stamina the festivities continued throughout the evening with the traditional games night marquee dance, with music by The Jacks, and ceilidhs and karaoke in the Belgrave Hotel and Bannockburn Inn. And it must have been a great evening as the few stragglers in kilts, bearing "tinnies", can testify as they wended their cheerful way home at the end of another successful games day. |
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Vehicles from
the Caithness and Sutherland Vintage Car Club brought up the
rear of the parade. |
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