Record crowds flock to Shotts for 60th Games

Jun 10 2009 by Robert Mitchell, Wishaw Press

OVER 2000 people in Shotts had fun in the sun on Saturday as the town celebrated its 60th Highland Games.

A record number of overseas visitors came from as far away as Japan, New Zealand, America and Australia to mingle with the regulars and enjoy a day of Scottish tradition and heritage.

Hannah Park was the setting for the excitement that included pipe music, Highland dancing, Scottish Heavy Events Championship, school sports, medieval re-enactment and falconry.

North Lanarkshire Provost Tom Curley was the Chieftain for the 60th Games and said: “This is a tremendous achievement for Shotts Highland Games Association, a great milestone in the history of Shotts and a tribute to the people who have supported the Games over 60 years. Being Chieftain of Shotts Highland Games is a memory that will live with me and my family forever.”

The day began with the two-part Chieftain’s parade leaving from the Marble Club to march through Springhill, and in Dykehead marching from the Station Hotel to Hannah Park for the official opening by Provost Curley.

There were four pipe bands on parade, with two Strathclyde Police horses, always popular with the community in Shotts, and members of Medieval Clydesdale Re-enactment Group.

Many pipe band enthusiasts were there to encourage the 40 bands in attendance and large numbers of highland dance supporters cheering on the 150 dancers who gave wonderful performances of the Highland Fling, Shean Trubhis, Strathspey Reel and Sword Dance.

Over at the heavy events, there was plenty of excitement with the Scottish Championship title at stake along with the usual Shotts trophy. The crowd gave plenty of vocal support, willing all the competitors to do well in the various disciplines and wondered at the skill and strength of the men as they tossed the caber.

The various events in the school sports programme were enthusiastically contested by the schools taking part and plenty of cheering from their fellow pupils as they watched the welling throwing, shot putt, haggis pass and tug-of-war. Wishaw’s Lammermoor Primary School came out as the overall winners on the day.

Chairman of the Highland Games Association Alex Hamilton commented: “The Games proved a great success thanks to the assistance of our sponsors and the community of Shotts who turned out in large numbers to support the event. Competitors showed great sportsmanship and the behaviour of the pupils was a credit to their schools. I thank everyone who played a part in the success of the day.”