Last Updated on: 22nd November 2023, 05:56 pm
This year’s Stirling Highland Games provided visitors from across the globe with a unique and unforgettable experience. On Saturday 19 August, thousands of people gathered at Stirling Sports Village for the traditional highland games competitions, arts and exhibitions, and a variety of food and craft stalls in the Traders Village.
Kathryn White, former international women’s cricketer for Scotland, assumed the role of Games Chieftain for the year. She was joined by past Chieftains and President’s guests including Alan Simpson, the Lord Lieutenant of Stirling and Falkirk, and Scotland’s First Minister, Humza Yousaf.
The Adaptive Heavyweights competition, supported by the HRFCA, was well contested by the Wounded Highlanders and saw Scottish athlete Trish Lawson break two World Records in the shot put and weight for distance categories. The event paid tribute to the resilience and strength of armed forces personnel.
The Heavyweights competition, supported by Specsavers Stirling, was fiercely competitive and Kyle Randalls was the overall champion, picking up the RSHGA British Championship Medal for the 16lb hammer and The Specsavers Cup.
The Bruce Challenge also saw a new record set for the ‘gruelling’ challenge of carrying two Scottish boulders weighing 164.5kg by walking 134.5m. The record-breaking performance was by Tim Meadows who was presented with the Bruce Challenge Quaich by the First Minister.
The Highland dancing competition, guided by The Sutherland School of Dance, saw over 200 entries with many local and overseas competitors picking up winners’ trophies and medals.
The committee of the Stirling Highland Games expressed their deep gratitude to all the athletes, volunteers, and funders whose contributions made the 2023 event possible. The success of the Games this year means the event will return on 17 August 2024 and the committee will start to announce plans for this in the New Year.
