Gourock Highland Games

**cessna152towser** · 10th May 10, 06:22 AM

Let me be your guide to Gourock Highland Games 2010

The games are held in a beautiful setting in Gourock Park, beside the Firth of Clyde. This view was taken from the upper arena looking out over the lower arena as the bands began to muster.

When the games committee folded a few years ago, the games were taken on and professionally run by Inverclyde Council as they considered them a worthwhile tourist attraction. Nowadays the games have grown into a popular family day out.

The beer tent was busy as also were the food stalls.

Chieftain Andy Ritchie, who is a Scottish soccer personality inspects an owl from Strathblane Falconry.
More to follow shortly, including highland dancing, heavies and pipe bands

**cessna152towser** · 10th May 10, 06:30 AM

Junior Archery

Highland dance competition

Airborne youngsters

The last time I had been to these games was nineteen years ago as a competitor in a foot race. I must admit that today's runners look more attractive.

Modern fashion tartans in traditional menswear shades of grey may have been introduced to tempt more guys into kilts but I have to concede they look better on the ladies.

As always there were some interesting kilts to be spotted.

**cessna152towser** · 10th May 10, 06:39 AM

Gary Hagan tosses the caber

Lifting the Kempock Stone. The Kempock Stone is no dinosaur egg. It weighs 160lbs and the contest involves being fastest to lift the stone from its podium then run with it to toss it over a caber.

Gary Hagan lifts the stone

Its over, Gary celebrates.

Neil Elliot about to throw the stone over the caber

Dumfries & Galloway Police Pipe Band.
Tartan is Douglas Modern

Strathclyde Fire & Rescue Pipe Band in the Strathclyde Fire and Rescue tartan

Dumbarton & District Pipe Band, wearing Lennox tartan

First Scottish Milngavie Pipe Band
Tartan is Weathered Buchanan

From the heart of Burns Country, Mauchline and District Pipe Band, wearing Weathered Scott tartan.
One more instalment to come.

**cessna152towser** · 10th May 10, 06:49 AM

From my town of birth, Paisley Pipe Band, kilted out in Blue Ramsay tartan

Inverary and District Pipe Band, in Ancient MacCallum tartan

Scottish Power Pipe Band marching in, wearing the Scottish Power tartan

All good things come to an end. With the centre bands, Inverary & District Pipe Band and Scottish Power Pipe Band already in place, the Chieftain awaits the other bands marching on to take the closing salute

The bands begin to mass. There were lots of bands, with competitions in all grades.

A final view of the massed bands as they play Highland Laddie.
That's all folks.

**Riverkilt** · 10th May 10, 07:03 AM

Hey, you had an owl at your games too!

**GMan** · 10th May 10, 11:56 AM

What a great tour, owl and all.

**SFCRick** · 10th May 10, 12:46 PM

very nice photos

**BoldHighlander** · 10th May 10, 12:50 PM

Great photos Alex & what a wonderful setting!
Thanks for posting them.

**Peter C.** · 10th May 10, 01:47 PM

Great photos beautifully presented, thank you.

The massed bands looked impressive. The sound of them playing Highland Laddie must have been spectacular.

I couldn't help noticing that there were no clan tents. Very different than over here.

Peter

**cessna152towser** · 10th May 10, 02:13 PM

I couldn't help noticing that there were no clan tents. Very different than over here

Some Scottish games do have a few clan tents but there would be none at Gourock as they charge the same rates for a clan tent as they do for a commercial retail tent.