Preview: Cumnock Highland Games

However you are welcome to make a voluntary donation to help meet the costs of staging the Games and you will find donation buckets at the entry points to the field and in other locations throughout the park if you wish to contribute.

The first Highland Games held in the town was in 2005, so it is now in its thirteenth year. Unfortunately there was no Cumnock Highland Games in 2017 but the Games are back this year and we hope that, with the support of everyone in Cumnock and the surrounding communities, and of course the many visitors that we welcome from further afield, the Games will go from strength to strength in the years to come.

The Games have been organised by local volunteers who form the Organising Committee with the aim of not only benefitting the local area but also raising the profile of Cumnock itself.

So come along on Sunday and you can be assured of a very warm welcome to Cumnock Highland Games for an enjoyable day out for all the family. Official Programmes will be on sale for just £1.00

This Year’s Chieftain (please include head and shoulders photo of Marion Gilliland)

John Senior, past Chieftain of the Cumnock Highland Games, will today hand over to this year’s Chieftain, Marion Gilliland. Marion is a well-known local businesswoman who has worked in the family business on Townhead Street in Cumnock since she left school. In addition Marion is Chair of Cumnock Business Association and has also spent the last twenty years liaising on behalf of the local business community with East Ayrshire Council.

Marion is a tireless fundraiser for MND Scotland, having completed the Glasgow Half Marathon as part of her fundraising efforts for the charity. In the past three and a half years Marion has raised over £15,000 for the charity.

“It is such an honour to be invited to be this year’s Chieftain,” Marion said, “and I am really looking forward to it. Unfortunately even as Chieftain I can’t control the weather but I am sure that the event will be a great success and that everyone who comes along will have a great time.”

Programme of Events

10.30am         Highland Dancing Competition begins

12.30pm         Parade Departs Cumnock Square

1.00 pm          Chieftain Marion Gilliland opens the Games

1.15pm           Pipe Bands Competition begins

1.45pm           Flower Arranging Demonstration organised by Mrs May McCrindle

1.30pm           Highland Heavies Competition begins

2.30pm           Sheep Dog Display by Neil Gibson of Girvan

3.45pm           Flower Arranging Demonstration organised by Mrs May McCrindle

5.00pm           Salute to the Chieftain followed by the Massed Pipes and Drums parade back to Cumnock Square

Times and events may be subject to change. Announcements will be made throughout the day through the PA system to keep you informed.

The Heavies

No Highland Games would be complete without the sporting and athletic events, collectively called the heavy events, and the men and women who take part are faced with some really tough physical challenges, the most famous of which is undoubtedly tossing the caber.

Tossing the Caber

This involves the competitor lifting a full length wooden log vertically then, using both hands, running forward to build up momentum before throwing it up into the air and forward with all their might with the intention of getting it to go end over end, i.e. landing on its ‘heavy’ end then falling forward to land as near to the 12 o’clock position as possible. Competitors are judged on how close to the 12 o’clock position the caber lands.

Hammer Throw

The hammer is a metal ball, traditionally weighing around 22lb for men and 16lb for women, and competitors use the wooden handle to spin or rotate the hammer around their head before throwing it as far as they can. Judging is based on the distance thrown.

Throwing the Weight for Height

Competitors have up to three attempts to throw the 56lb weight vertically over a bar. With each successful attempt the height of the bar is raised.

Throwing the Weight for Distance

This event is extremely challenging and involves each competitor throwing a 28lb ball just as far as they can. To protect spectators a cage is extended around the throwing area!

Putting the Cumnock Stane

Putting the Cumnock Stane requires a similar technique to the shot put. Uniquely, this event is open to spectators as well so if you want to have a go you are most welcome. You may even win a prize!

This year’s competitors come from far and wide and you are encouraged to select your own favourite and cheer them on throughout the afternoon.

Men

Neil Elliott                  Helensburgh

Craig Winslow          Dumbarton

Daniel Carlin            Barrhead

Kyle Randalls           Grangemouth

Daniel Dorow           Germany

Women

Liz Elliott                    Glasgow

Rachel Hunter             Ayr

Mhairi Porterfield         East Kilbride

Lucy Marshall              England

Three judges will be on hand for the Heavies Events and your host announcer is the well-known and very popular Alan Pettigrew.

Pipe Bands

At this year’s Games we are delighted to welcome the following Pipe Bands:

Troon Black Rock Pipe Band

Maybole Pipe Band

Biggar Pipe Band

Kilmarnock Pipe Band

You will notice that we have fewer Pipe Bands this year than usual and that’s because this weekend also coincides with the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, so we extend a very special thank you to the bands which have opted to join us today.

Many people see the pipe bands as the heart of any Highland Games gathering, and with their stirring music, precision marching and wonderful tartans it is easy to understand why. Indeed the images and sounds of Pipe Bands are symbols by which Scotland is recognised throughout the world.

Remember that the Pipe Bands will close the Games with the traditional parade of the Massed Pipes and Drums back to Cumnock Square at around 5.00pm.

Highland Dancing Competition

If some people would argue that the Pipes and Drums are the most symbolic aspects of traditional Highland Games, then others would no doubt put up a compelling  counter argument that it is the Highland Dancing that is the most symbolic, as no gathering would be complete with it.

Level: Primary

Age: 4 yrs, 5 yrs, 6 yrs

Dances

16 Pas de Basque

Pas de Basque and Highcuts

Highland Fling (4 steps)

Sword Dance (2 & 1 steps)

Time Commencing 10.30am

Level: Beginners and Novices

Age: 7 yrs and under, 10 yrs, 10 yrs and ove

Highland Fling (4 steps)

Sword Dance (2 & 1 steps)

Seann Truibhas (3 & 1 steps)

Half Hullachan

Scottish Lilt (4 steps)

Flora MacDonald (4 steps)

Commencing 10.30am

Level: Intermediate

Age: 7 yrs and under, 11 yrs, 11 yrs and under, 14 yrs, 14 yrs and under

Highland Fling (4 steps)

Sword Dance (2 & 1 steps)

Seann Truibhas (3 & 1 steps)

Half Hullachan

Scottish Lilt (4 steps)

Flora MacDonald (4 steps)

Commencing 1.30pm

Level: Premier

Age 7 yrs and under, 11 yrs, 11 yrs and under, 13 yrs, 13 yrs and under, 16 yrs, 16 yrs and over

Highland Fling (4 steps)

Sword Dance (2 & 1 steps)

Seann Truibhas (3 & 1 steps)

Half Hullachan

Scottish Lilt (4 steps)

Flora MacDonald (4 steps)

Commencing 1.30pm

Times shown after 10.30am are approximate. In the event of inclement weather the dancing competition will relocate to Old Cumnock Old Church Hall on Barrhill Road, Cumnock.