East Lothian Courier | News | Highland Games not much fun in the rain

Thursday, 20th November, 2008

Published: Thursday, 14th August, 2008 08:05

Highland Games not much fun in the rain

NORTH BERWICK Highland Games organisers and stallholders were left counting the cost after heavy rain reduced the expected crowd of 15,000 to just 5,000 paying spectators at Saturday’s flagship event.

The persistent morning downpour turned large sections of Recreation Park into an ankle-deep morass of cloying mud.

And the hundreds who lined High Street for the evening massed parade of pipe bands were disappointed when only three – including the North Berwick and Oman Army pipe bands – from a record entry of more than 80 bothered to participate in the traditional closing event.

Despite the conditions, the Lothian Pipe Band Championships went ahead with Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia Pipe Band winning the elite grade one category.

The Highland dancing had to be moved indoors to North Berwick High School, but all the other activities – including the heavy events – went ahead on Saturday.

Chieftain Alan Blackie, East Lothian Council’s chief executive, said: “There is no doubt the weather affected the crowd size.

“I really enjoyed my role as chieftain, but I feel disappointed for the organising committee. They did a fantastic job.”

Games secretary Stuart Smith said: “We are still assessing the financial impact on our overall costs.”

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