Abernethy Highland Games Association
Nethy Bridge
Inverness-shire
PH25 3DA
Scotland

Enquiries to Games convenor

Well, it's all over for this year, and a grand day it was. The weather was more than kind, and conditions proved ideal for our competitors and spectators, with sunshine, a bit of light cloud, only a short shower or two, and not too hot.

Over 3700 people attended, and many visitors commented on the welcoming and happy atmosphere around the field. No less than 8 pipe bands took part in the massed pipe band display - a real spectacle, and a feast for the eyes and ears!

Two Scottish records were broken on the field, and the quality of the competition, and the enthusiasm of the spectators and competitors alike, made it a memorable day. No one will forget Kyle Randall's spectacular throws, smashing his own Scottish record for Junior 44lb weight over the bar, and clearing 17'3".

Competitors and visitors alike were impressed by our smart new marquee, the Secreary's Tent, which provided vastly improved changing facilities as well as more spacious registration, sales and administration areas. The Association was able to purchase this with financial assistance from the Scottish Government and the European Community (Cairngorms Local Action Group) Leader 2007-2013 Programme, together with the Highland Coucil. We are most grateful to them for enabling us to make this important investment in the Games.

This photograph of the Massed Pipe Bands was taken to mark the Abernethy Highland Games support for this worthy cause. Retired Sergeant John McGlinchey was the driving force behind the Games association with Help4Heroes. Those that attended the Games gave generously, and £900 was achieved.

See Games Report and Results:

A date for the diary - Abernethy Highland games 2012 will take place on Saturday 11th August, when once again, Nethy Bridge will resound to the thrilling sound of the pipes and drums.
Who needs the Olympics when you have the Abernethy Highland Games!

Our Twins in New Zealand - Turakina Highland Games
Turakina 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 on Saturday 26 January 2013. www.turakinahighlandgames.co.nz

Abernethy Highland Games
13 August 2011

Raffle prizes:

1. Grants of Dalvey – Voyager Clock

2. CairnGorm Mountain – family ticket for Cairngorm Highland Fling Ceilidh Night

3. House of Bruar – £50 Gift Voucher

4. Cairngorm Brewery – 4 gift packs of a variety of beers

5. Balmenach Distillery – bottle of Caorunn gin

6. Dalwhinnie Distillery – bottle of 15 Year Old Single Malt

7. Glen Grant Distillery – bottle of Glen Grant whisky

8. Glenfarclas Distillery – bottle of 10 year old malt whisky

9. Spey Valley Smokehouse – 500gmm pack of smoked salmon

10. Diageo – bottle of Bells whisky

11. Bottle of Old Pulteney 12 year old malt whisky

Congratulations to the Winners!

The Abernethy Games Committee would like to record their thanks to the aforementioned organisations for generously contributing these prizes in support of the Games.