Games season moves on to Nethy Bridge
Look out for one of Strathspey’s major calendar dates this weekend.
The Nethy Games is a local highlight and Saturday’s promises another great day of sport and entertainment.
The fun starts at 10am with highland dancing, solo piping, and the ever-popular programme of children’s races and fun events, which provide something for everyone, from 70-metre sprints to 3-legged races.
There’s also a chance for youngsters of 12 – 14 to try tossing the caber (a specially commissioned lighter caber, that is)!
The programme continues with athletics and the traditional heavy events, including tossing the caber, weight over the bar and tug o’ war.
Always popular, the RSPB Abernethy Forest 10 mile race will no doubt be strongly contested.
The Games Chieftain this year, John Hunter, is no stranger to the Abernethy Games, having been the games very able and efficient treasurer for the last six years. A largely ceremonial role, the chieftain is chosen as a mark of respect and gratitude for their contribution to the games or to the Nethy Bridge community. He will officially declare the games open at 1pm following the first parade of the massed pipes and drums.
This is the first of the three parades of the massed pipe bands, particularly of interest as it includes the March of the Clan Grant, led by Lord Strathspey, their ranks made up with locals and visitors from near and far. No fewer than half a dozen bands will participate in the spectacle.
There’s a beer tent and full catering service from light snacks and Carters fish & chips & Tomintoul Venison to full lunches, and the field is surrounded by an array of interesting stands and amusements, with local organisations, and good causes well represented.
Much improved free parking - and the opportunity to take the train to the games from Aviemore or Boat of Garten – makes it easy to enjoy a full day’s entertainment for all the family.
