2009 Games ReportThe promise of a fine dry day brought the crowds flocking to Nethy Bridge on Saturday 8th August, where a record breaking attendance was achieved. In excess of 3500 visitors enjoyed a packed and entertaining programme of events. Many arrived by train on the Strathspey Railway, enjoying a scenic trip, as well as a very reasonable combined ticket price.
The Grand Opening Parade of Massed Pipes & Drums was a real spectacle, with 5 bands participating, followed by the March of the Clan Grant, led by their Chieftain, Lord Strathspey, this year joined by a visiting group from Bavaria, (not Grants) parading in their "lederhosen". The Clan Grant Society were happy to sign up several new members in advance of their International Gathering in 2010.
As well as marching round the field several times throughout the afternoon the bands also competed in a pipe band competition, where they played individually; judge Bill Blacklaw declared our local Badenoch & Strathspey Pipe Band the winner for the second year running.
In his opening address, Chairman Neil Sutherland said "It is now nearly 180 years since the Games were first held in Nethy Bridge and 63 years since they were first held on this field. It is due to the foresight and practical skills of the Committee back in 1946 that we have such an excellent field for our Games today. Just as they were then, today's Games are in every way a community event, owned and run by the people of Nethy Bridge, many of whom are helping out on the field today, or have helped to put the Games field together over the last week. I would like to thank my fellow members of the Games Committee for their enthusiasm and commitment through the past year in planning the Games, and all the other people and organizations whose help and support in many different ways make today's Games possible" He then invited Chieftain, John Kirk to formally open the 2009 Abernethy Highland Games.
As ever, the morning programme of kiddies fun events proved a real crowd pleaser, and was extremely busy, especially the events involving parents, such as the wheelbarrow and 3 legged races, where many heats had to be run before reaching the final. In the running races, competitors in the 5-6 years group were well tested, running a full 60 metres, cheered along by a very vocal crowd.
The number of Highland Dancers was a little down on the previous year, but competition was strong, and dancers from Canada, as well as all over Scotland provided a wonderful display, accompanied by the indomitable Ian Fraser, piping for the dancers at these Games for over 50 years now! Also piping were Richard Anderson and Jordan Neil. Judges were Colinne Smith and Jean McIntosh of Buckie. The Abernethy Highland Games Dancing Trophy for Best Beginner went to Logan Simpson of Rosehearty, and the Jessie Watt Scroll for Best Novice was won by Lauren Moore of Rosemarkie. Gemma Johnston of Inverness took the G.D. Gray Silver Salver as Best Intermediate. In the Premier section Becky Dempster of Huntly took the Clan Grant Society Cup for Best National; Anthea Bundy of Grangemouth was Best Highland and carried off the Abernethy Games Trophy as well as the Elsie Ross Trophy for Best Premier Dancer Overall. In the Local Category, Lucy McGillivray was best in the 11yrs and under, taking the Kimberley Trophy while the Culreach Cup for Best Local 12 years and over went to Lucy Fraser. The Philpot Trophy for Best Overseas Dancer was awarded to Colleen McGregor and the Spey Valley Challenge Cup for the Most Successful Dancing School went to the Fraser School.
The fine day produced a large field of 88 runners in the 10 mile race with strong local and international presence. Cairngorm Runners fielded 10 finishers, and took the team prize. From further afield runners traveled from France, Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Australia and USA to take part. A new prize for "First Lady from Badenoch and Strathspey' was on offer this year and it was won by Nethy Bridge resident Elspeth Grant. Thanks again to the RSPB for their generous sponsorship of this Race.
The day saw some robust competition in all classes of Junior Piping with Andrew Clark, Montrose, setting the standard. Judge, Jim Hamilton praised the musical quality of several competitors, particularly Jordan Neil, Aviemore who at the age of eleven was more than holding his own in the competition. In the Senior Open competition Niall Matheson, Inverness, again took first place in the Pibroch while overall success in the form of the Gordon Cup went to Alan Clark of Aberdeen. Judges Duncan Watson and Sandy Spence commented, "He just shouldn't have stopped playing".
The Drumming events are still in their infancy yet there is a growing interest from the pipe bands and others to compete. Judge, John Moneagle has given much wise counsel on how this competition should develop and this year's Senior event was a first for the Games.
Eighty eight competitors took part in track and field events. Brian Harrold from Nethy Bridge won the overall Local Heavy competition which included Rab Ritchie from Newtonmore, who is the number two world veteran heavy champion and he provided a strong challenge to the younger competitors. The junior heavy category was split in to two age groups for the first time in order to encourage more competitors of the younger age class. The younger class included Jamie Gunn (first time competitor at Abernethy) and son of the well known Alistair Gunn from Halkirk who competed in the open event. Brothers Dale and Greg Walker from Fettercairn competed in the under 20 junior heavy competition with Dale winning the overall competition. Two other brothers took part in the open competition Craig and Grant Sinclair from Banchory. It seems that talent in this field does run in the family! Craig won the overall Open competition, Alastair Gunn came second and Willie Falconer from Edinburgh was third. Both Alastair Gunn and Craig Sinclair were awarded a bottle of Glen Grant for successfully throwing the Big Caber - the first time anyone other then Alastair Gunn has thrown it.
Carrbridge proved too strong for Harborne Rugby Club and retained their Tug o' War title. Until the last minute, it seemed we only had one team entering the tug o' war, but luckily Harborne Rugby Club (suburb of Birmingham) who were in the area, heard about the Games and called to ask if they could participate. They brought along 12 of their players. Unknown to organisers the German party staying at Nethy House (leder hosen crew) were also fun and sporty, and they also agreed to compete. They are a club from near Pfarrkirchen (east Of Munich) in Bavaria southern Germany.The first pull was Carrbridge vs. Harborne. Despite having a number of heavy prop forwards Harborne could not hold Carrbridge and it was a pretty easy pull for the defending Champions. The German team then took to the field against Harborne and despite the leder hosen could not hold the weight of prop forwards. This match continued with Pfarrkirchen fielding a ringer and won the end taking it to a decider which Harborne won. The Germans went away happy having enjoyed their participation with a small consolation prize which gave them each a beer. 10 minutes later the track and road events were over and so the final 2 ends were held on the track close to the spectators. After a false start Harborne made a better show of holding the Champions, but inevitably, Carrbridge won the second end to retain the Cup. However, Carrbridge in a spirit of "fair play' agreed to have a final demonstration pull against all 12 of the Harborne Rugby Club which the Rugby club won. Honour being satisfied the 2 clubs disappeared to the beer tent with their prize money.
On the track no records were broken this year but with some strong competition a number of records came close to being matched.
18 track and field and heavy competition judges officiated on the day and thanks go to them for their hard work. The judges were Mr M Archibald, Mrs E Allan, Mrs M Allan, Mr N Allan, Mr G Bethune, Mrs L Bethune, Mrs M Cooke, Mr K Davies, Miss S Grant, Mr J Lawther, Mr K Macdonald, Mr D McPherson, Mr S Murdoch, Mr C Ross, Mr R Ritchie, Mr D Shepherd, Mr M Scott, Mr and Mrs Tasker
Chairman Neil Sutherland was delighted with the turnout and commented "It's especially satisfying to witness such a welcoming and happy atmosphere, where the quality of the competition and the enthusiasm of the spectators all contribute to what is aptly known as the "friendly games'
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2009 Results
Dancing
Full results 09(PDF)
Piping
Full results 09(PDF)
RSPB
Abernethy Forest 10 mile Road Race
Full
results09 (PDF)
Full
results07 (PDF) Full results 06(PDF)
Athletics
Full
results09 (PDF)
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