The Perthshire Highland Games season ended at Pitlochry Highland Games, with Stuart Anderson and Lorne Colthart both breaking ground records.
Stuart increased his own Weight for Distance record to 68’1” whilst nineteen year old Lorne’s Putt of 45’ 9 ½” broke Michael Simpson’s 9 year old record by over 3’. Lorne also narrowly missed out on breaking the long standing Hammer record set in 1970 by Donald Ross.
Pitlochry also saw the culmination of the season’s competitions with the Heavy events, Highland Dancing and Junior Piping Leagues being finalised. There were new winners in all Leagues except the Junior Heavy events.
Winners
Donald Riddel of sponsors Highland Safaris presented the Heavy events League winners with medals and cheques as follows:
1st Stuart Anderson, Killin (£500); 2nd Lorne Colthart, Blair Atholl (£375); 3rd Pete Hart, Glenisla (£250); 4th David Colthart, Blair Atholl (£150); 5th Jamie Thexton, Bridge of Gaur (£75) ; 6th David Colthart Jnr, Blair Atholl (£50).
Junior League; 1st Lorne Colthart (£80); 2nd David Colthart Jnr (£60); 3rd Grant Watson, Alyth (£50); 4th David Bridge, Bridge of Cally (£40).
Dancing League
Winning the Dancing League for the first time was Isla Bendall, Crieff (£200); 2nd Jillian Kennedy, Aberfeldy (£150), 3rd Melissa Collins, Blairgowrie (£100), 4th Ailidh Lang, Callander (£80); 5th Lyndsey Douglas, Birnam (£60); 6th Rachel McLagan, Blairgowrie (£50).
In the Junior Piping, Connor Sinclair of Crieff took the first prize of £150, from second placed George Stewart, Perth (£100) and Alex Duncan, Burrelton in third place who won £50.
Sportsmatch
The sportsmatch award, which Perthshire Highland Games Association received at the start of the year, has allowed many school-age athletes the opportunity to take part in Highland Games throwing sessions. Breadalbane Academy, Aberfeldy and Crieff Scouts were two of the groups involved. Two competitions were also held for under 14 and under 16 boys and girls at Kenmore and Pitlochry Highland Games.
The Perthshire Highland Games Association warmely thanks its sponsors, supporters and competitors for all their support this year.
by Jean Robertson
