Free pictures on behalf of West Dunbartonshire council. 2019 Loch Lomond Highland games at the Moss O’ Balloch. A record number of visitors turned out to watch the popular annual Loch Lomond Highland Games at Balloch today. More than 9,000 visitors attended the event, in Moss O’Balloch Park, for a range of traditional highland game competitions including cycling, running, hammer throwing and heavy weights and the traditional tossing of the caber and tug-of-war. Dancers entertained the crowds by performing traditional highland dances with their immaculate costumes and perfect hair, and spectators enjoyed music from Helensburgh Clan Colquhoun and Tulliallan pipes and drums. The popular games welcomed visitors from as far afield as Germany and Canada who travelled to Scotland to enjoy the traditional Scottish games and was broadcasted to millions of viewers in China watching Chinese travel programme ‘Zhu’s life in Britain’. Aynsley Gouck, Assistant Director of Niagra Highland Dance Academy, said “We are over from Ontario Canada and we are attending four Highland Games during our visit. We love Balloch it’s a beautiful area of Scotland and we’ve been looking forward to our visit. The Highland Dancing competition is very well organised and the girls are very honoured to be dancing in Scotland.” German friends Tina and Arthur Helbig and Kirsten and Volber Rademacher, said: “We are in Scotland for 10 days and although we’re not staying in Balloch we couldn’t miss this event. It’s a great to see all the smart girls in their beautiful Highland dress and hear the pipe band. We are very excited to be here today.” West Dunbartonshire Council leader Jonathan McColl, said: “This year’s event was a fantastic day and helped by the wonderful weather. Well done to all the competitors for putting on a great show and thanks to the spectators for encouraging the athletes and putting on a great show. It’s always lovely to meet visitors who have travelled around the world to attend this great event. I am proud of our Scottish heritage and the Games are a great way for tourists and visitors to get a true taste of Scotland. Well done to the Games’ committee, West Dunbartonshire Leisure Trust and West Dunbartonshire Council on organising yet another hugely successful event.” The Chieftain of the Loch Lomond Highland Games, Major James Macrae said: “I am delighted with this year’s event which has been a great success and has been very well attended. We’ve been really fortunate with the weather the last two years and we are grateful to the thousands who came along, which is great testament to everyone involved in organising the Games. Over the years, the games have attracted contestants and spectators from home and abroad every year and I would like to thank everyone who played their part in making this year’s games a huge success. On behalf of the committee, I would like to thank our contestants and sponsors, in particular West Dunbartonshire Council and West Dunbartonshire Leisure Trust, for their continued support.” For a full round up of results please visit Loch Lomond High Games website at http://www.llhgb.com Copyright photo by Paul Chappells, 07774730898 http://www.paulphoto.co.uk
Free pictures on behalf of West Dunbartonshire council. 2019 Loch Lomond Highland games at the Moss O’ Balloch. A record number of visitors turned out to watch the popular annual Loch Lomond Highland Games at Balloch today. More than 9,000 visitors attended the event, in Moss OÕBalloch Park, for a range of traditional highland game competitions including cycling, running, hammer throwing and heavy weights and the traditional tossing of the caber and tug-of-war. Dancers entertained the crowds by performing traditional highland dances with their immaculate costumes and perfect hair, and spectators enjoyed music from Helensburgh Clan Colquhoun and Tulliallan pipes and drums. The popular games welcomed visitors from as far afield as Germany and Canada who travelled to Scotland to enjoy the traditional Scottish games and was broadcasted to millions of viewers in China watching Chinese travel programme ÔZhuÕs life in BritainÕ. Aynsley Gouck, Assistant Director of Niagra Highland Dance Academy, said ÒWe are over from Ontario Canada and we are attending four Highland Games during our visit. We love Balloch itÕs a beautiful area of Scotland and weÕve been looking forward to our visit. The Highland Dancing competition is very well organised and the girls are very honoured to be dancing in Scotland.Ó German friends Tina and Arthur Helbig and Kirsten and Volber Rademacher, said: ÒWe are in Scotland for 10 days and although weÕre not staying in Balloch we couldnÕt miss this event. ItÕs a great to see all the smart girls in their beautiful Highland dress and hear the pipe band. We are very excited to be here today.Ó West Dunbartonshire Council leader Jonathan McColl, said: “This yearÕs event was a fantastic day and helped by the wonderful weather. Well done to all the competitors for putting on a great show and thanks to the spectators for encouraging the athletes and putting on a great show. ItÕs always lovely to meet visitors who have travelled around the world to attend this great event. I am proud of our Scottish heritage and the Games are a great way for tourists and visitors to get a true taste of Scotland. Well done to the GamesÕ committee, West Dunbartonshire Leisure Trust and West Dunbartonshire Council on organising yet another hugely successful event.Ó The Chieftain of the Loch Lomond Highland Games, Major James Macrae said: “I am delighted with this yearÕs event which has been a great success and has been very well attended. WeÕve been really fortunate with the weather the last two years and we are grateful to the thousands who came along, which is great testament to everyone involved in organising the Games. Over the years, the games have attracted contestants and spectators from home and abroad every year and I would like to thank everyone who played their part in making this yearÕs games a huge success. On behalf of the committee, I would like to thank our contestants and sponsors, in particular West Dunbartonshire Council and West Dunbartonshire Leisure Trust, for their continued support.” For a full round up of results please visit Loch Lomond High Games website at http://www.llhgb.com Copyright photo by Paul Chappells, 07774730898 http://www.paulphoto.co.uk
By Lauren Crooks
The Loch Lomond Highland Games are back in Balloch this summer with thousands expected to flock to the Moss O’Balloch Park to witness Scottish culture at its finest.
Highland dancers Alice Macbeth (6) Emily Coll (6), Amy MacQueen (7), Mirrin Comrie (10) are among more than 350 competitors who will be attending the games on 15 July along with Fraser Ward (25) who will be helping out on the day with the events.
People come from all over the world to take part – with past competitors travelling from Australia and New Zealand to get their hands on the £12,000 prize pot.
Visitors will have the chance to witness first-hand the extraordinary strength, agility and skill of athletes as they compete fiercely in these ancient Celtic sports. From the awe-inspiring display of the caber toss to the lightning-fast footwork of Highland Dancers and the thunderous sound of the pipe bands, every moment of the Loch Lomond Highland Games promises to be a captivating experience.
In addition attendees can expect a great show with from other events including running, cycling, wrestling, jumping and the tug of war.
The event will close with a mass pipe band march through the main street in Balloch offering a dramatic end to what promises to be a wonderful event. The event will feature an array of stalls, foods and drinks with a fun fair for all ages.
The Loch Lomond Highland Games is run in a partnership between the Council and Loch Lomond Highland Games Limited, with support from sponsors Ken McDonald (Drammorr Group), Waterhouse Balloch, Gift shop Balloch, Sandy Fraser (Oak Inn Balmaha), Lomond Print, Fraser Robb Ltd (Drymen).
West Dunbartonshire’s Provost Douglas McAllister, said “I’m excited to be at the games again this year, it’s a fantastic day for everyone to embrace Scottish heritage and enjoy a day of entertainment for the whole family. There’s so much to do on the day and it’s always a day filled with excitement, I want to urge everyone to come along and get involved.”
Visitors should adhere to parking restrictions in and around the venue in Balloch and follow advice from the stewards.
The event is on from 9am-5pm and tickets cost £7 for adults, £4 for children and concessions, with a family ticket costing £16 (2 adults and up to 3 children).
