Abernethy Highland Games Association | 
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| Well, the 8th of August looms ever closer, and plans and organisation are well advanced in the lead up to Games day. Once again Nethybridge will resound to the thrilling sights & sounds of the Highland Games, the oldest traditional Games in Strathspey. Keen readers of local lore may have noticed a reference to the Abernethy Games in Rev. Dr. W Forsyth's book "In the Shadow of Cairngorm". Here it is noted, in a letter from Colonel Grant to his friend William Forsyth, (the author's father) that he enjoyed the Games on his visit to the Dell of Abernethy in 1838 - well before the generally accepted foundation date of 1880! "The people down here are talking a lot about our doings and I am praising Abernethy up to the skies for dancing and everything that is good. I cannot repeat to you too often how very much I am indebted to yourself and Mrs Forsyth for all your kindness to me, for I must say, and I hope you will let it be known, that a happier fortnight I never spent. If I omitted calling on anyone, it was not that the wish, but the time that was wanting. I only hope that you and Mrs Forsyth have not suffered from your exertions. I trust that you will keep me in the remembrance of the people of Abernethy, and keep alive the Kilt, Games, and Highland Fling, for next summer I hope to see all in perfection. Remember me to all my friends, and your neighbours, at Rothiemoon, and particularly to Lewis Grant, as I depend on him to throw the hammer next time far beyond the Mason of Grantown. (Thomas Stewart and Grigor Burgess, Grantown, had carried off the first prizes at the Games)" So, it seems there was already a well established tradition of competition between the parishes, in dancing as well as heavy events, as far back as 1838. Who knows when the very first Abernethy Highland Games was contested? Back to the present - as well as the usual dancing, piping, and field & track events, the fun morning programme for children has proved to be of enormous appeal, making a great family day out. An added attraction this year is an introduction to the sport of shinty - something which will interest young and old alike. Homecoming Scotland 2009, a year of celebration of our Scottish culture and traditions; we can expect lots of visitors from overseas, back in Scotland to enjoy and participate in the host of events and activities that are planned all over the country, throughout the year. A visit to the Highland games is a "must do" for visitors and Scottish residents alike. - See Games report for full results.Our Twins in New Zealand - Turakina Highland GamesTurakina is a small village in the western Rangitiki district of New Zealand, midway between Wanganui and Palmerston North. The Maori explorer Hau named Turakina on his journey south when he felled a log to cross the river [from "Turaki" - to fell]. The first European settlers arrived from Scotland by ships into Wellington and later walked 150km up the beaches to Turakina, following the land purchase negotiated by Sir Donald McLean, from the Ngati Apa people in 1849. At its peak in the late 1880's, Turakina and the surrounding area boasted 3 churches, several schools, businesses, industries, 2 railway stations, 4 hotels and an illicit whisky distillery. At that period it was a prosperous and busy township and the Annual Highland Games was established in 1864. They are New Zealand's oldest on-land sporting event. A committee member of the Abernethy Highland Games, who lived his youth in the district, visited the Turakina Highland Games in 2004. He was warmly welcomed and subsequently it was agreed that 2 of the oldest Games, 125 and 140 years respectively, located at opposite ends of the world, would twin. The next Turakina Highland Games will take place in January 2010. |