Halkirk Highland Games 2015 – summary report | Halkirk Games

Halkirk’s Recreation Park was filled with 2,500 spectators on Saturday 25th July 2015 for the annual Highland Games. The weather stayed dry after a rain shower in the morning and conditions were perfect for the many dozens of competitors. The crowd was boosted by the Clan Gunn and Clan Sinclair both staging their international gatherings and over 250 members enjoyed hospitality throughout the day. Entertainment was provided by Thurso and the Royal Burgh of Tain Pipe Bands who provided a spectacular sight when they combined to play together. Nine members of the Games Committee got a surprise presentation for their outstanding service to the Games. Games Chieftain Viscount John Thurso presented a commemorative glass trophy to each member. They each had between 34 and 45 years service, giving 350 years service in total.

The athletes competed for over £20,000 in prize money, thought to be the largest purse in Scotland. Eleven Heavyweight athletes from Australia, Poland, Holland, USA, England and Scotland had a tremendous titanic battle. Scott Rider, Kent, England, the 2015 SHGA World Heavyweight Champion came first equal with Sebastion Wenta, Gdansk, Poland. A few attempts were made at ground records, but none were broken. Nathan Burchett, Iowa, USA, made a strong challenge by winning both hammers, 28lb weight for distance and the 16lb sheaf. Jamie Gunn, Halkirk was the Caithness Champion.

Allan Hamilton, Edinburgh, made his first appearance at Halkirk and swept the boards in the track and field events. He broke the ground record in the long jump with a leap of 21’ 11” and had attempts at the ground records for the hop, step and leap and the high jump (6’2”). He was only beaten in the 800m and the 1600m by Craig Robertson, Pitlochry. Hamilton nearly made it into the Scotland team for the 2014 Commonwealth Games and is aiming to break into the Great Britain team. Craig Hardie, Fife, dominated the cycling with 5 wins out of 7 events. Charles Fletcher, Grantown-on-Spey, won the other two. Allan Clarke, Thurso was the Caithness Champion and won the Prince Henry Sinclair trophy for the most outstanding performance by a Caithness competitor.

Rebecca Throw, Aberdeen, won the open Highland Dancing championship despite a strong challenge from local dancers and a contingent of 8 from Canada. The Caithness champions were Rebecca Paterson, Thurso and Stacey Webster, Wick. John Angus Smith, South Uist, won 3 of the 5 piping events. Paul Sutherland, Keiss won the overall aggregate prize for the clay pigeon shooting, with Cameron Jordan, Woodbridge, winning the U18 event. Ashley Norquoy, Orkney, was the champion in the ever popular baby show.