The Aboyne Highland Games – Some Views of a Great Aberdeenshire Tradition.

So. Yesterday we spent the day at the Aboyne Highland Games, one of the largest Games gatherings in Scotland. The Chieftain of the Clan Gordon opened the games after the entry of the massed pipe bands. The caber was tossed, the hammer was thrown, the races were run, the tug of war was contested, the dancing, fiddling and piping competitions were completed. A huge Aberdeen Angus burger was eaten, and throughout the day I took some photos.

This is a picture of two stewards who are clearly overjoyed at the turnout! This was early, by midday the place was heaving.

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Forget fairness and handicaps. The highland dancer wanted to be in the 400 metres. Don't think I've ever seen a race with such diversity among the contestants!

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The hammer throwing – I didn't enter, I was feart I'd forget to let go! We saw a record throw yesterday of 118+ metres

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The Highland Dancing is a display of seriously good contestants who have superb timing, balance, rhythm and discipline. These girls were dancing to a lone piper and in the background the Massed Pipe Bands were entering the park!

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I think there are few more quintessentially Scottish moments than sitting in the cauld, (10 degress in August!!), in a Highland town, listening to a hundred pipers and drummers playing Scottish Soldier, Fields of Glory, Scotland the Brave, eating an Aberdeen Angus Burger, and with the Highland Dancing taking place twenty metres away! Loved it!

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And finally the Tug of War – the Coach's roar of encouragement and threats of dire consequences could be heard halfway doon the toon! I think he would make a great worship leader…….

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