We'll be back stronger than ever, say Highland games organisers
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ORGANISERS of the most traditional of Scottish customs – Highland games – say events will return stronger than ever next year.
The Scottish Highland Games Association (SHGA) said some individual games organisers have found innovative ways to interact with would-be attendees in the meantime after the pandemic wiped the events off the 2020 calendar.
Ian Grieve, secretary of the SHGA, said: "The calendar of Highland games this year may now be empty, but that doesn’t mean we’re sitting back. We have a few surprises already and more on the way."
Moray hosts five games each season, including Forres, Dufftown, Aberlour Strathspey, Gordon Castle and Tomintoul.
With all its 60-plus member Highland games now confirmed as cancelled, 2020 will have none of these traditional events that have been running for decades – some for centuries.
It also leaves many small communities without their only gathering of townsfolk.
Each games take months of preparation and involves significant costs. The cancellations will impact on local economies, tourism and small traders who bring their crafts to the games.
However, the SHGA said the games are resilient and for some members around the country the situation has been met with surprising responses.
Mr Grieve added: "Strathmore has shown online how to make a fun caber for kids. Aboyne has an online solo piping competition. Ballater will be raising the standard and inviting supporters to send in clips. Stirling is lining up some virtual activities which people can participate in, and we have others looking to do more with online resources to deliver something that will interest, excite and entertain."
The athletes, dancers and pipers aren’t resting on their laurels either. Many continue to practise with virtual demonstration and competition events.
While the loss of events in 2020 is "dreadful, with wide impacts", Mr Grieve said there was a positive future. He said: "We’re already planning for next year to come back stronger, better; welcoming back all our supporters and friends, hopefully some new ones too, people who haven’t attended a Highland games before."
More information can be found on the SHGA Facebook pages and website.
