Sun shines on 'spectacular' Peebles Highland Games

Taking to Hay Lodge Park, the event saw a range of talent on display – with Highland dancers, pipe bands, and heavy athletes.

The chair of the Peebles Highland Games Association, Chris Patterson, said that Saturday’s event was “spectacular”.

“The weather was just fantastic,” he said.

“As a result we had an absolutely brilliant day.

“From a financial perspective [it’s] the most successful we’ve ever had.

“All the competitions went very well.”

He added: “We invested in a new marquee for our hospitality area this year and again that all worked really well.

“The weather really made it and it was great from start to finish.”

The day saw 13 pipe bands, more than 120 Highland dancers, and seven heavy athletes competing on the day.

Local dance school owner Fiona Henderson continued her role in leading the Highland dance competition.

“Our Chieftain Kevin Weir had a fantastic day,” said Chris. “He’s been a volunteer and sponsor for a number of years, and loves the Highland Games.

“So we made him honorary Chieftain this year.

“We had the Chieftain’s walk from the Tontine at 10.45am and we were piped up from there to Hay Lodge Park by Peebles Ex-Servicemen’s Pipe Band.

“So all the ex-Chieftains and our new Chieftain walked up.”

Last year the association celebrated its 50th anniversary, and to commemorate the milestone a plaque was made and is set to be mounted on a wall next to the gardens at Hay Lodge Park.

The plaque was unveiled by 2022 Chieftain William Porteous before he handed over the Chieftain’s sash to Mr Weir.

The memorial was displayed on a table during the games for spectators to see before it was due to be mounted this week.

The Haggis Hurling made a welcome return to the Games at the weekend.

Heavy athletes and the public all had a go at trying to beat World Championship record holder and former Peebles Highland Games competitor Garry McClay.

The school drawing competition also welcomed more entries than ever before.