Bumper crowd expected for North Berwick Highland Games

The Recreation Park gathering is the Games’ 24th anniversary.

There is lots on offer from traditional heavy events to music, sport, children’s rides and trade stalls.

Performances from 85 pipe bands from more than 15 countries give the day a truly international feel.

Highland dancers of various ages will be performing a number of traditional Scottish dances to crowds in the south west corner of the park.

The heavy events include tossing the caber, throwing the hammer and tug of war.

The main arena will play host to a 60-yard sprint for the first time, with various handicap races planned.

Around the park, there will be various craft and trade stalls, children’s rides and a demonstration from the Lammermuir Stick Dressing Society.

At the end of the afternoon, all the pipe bands will parade into the arena to salute the chieftain of the day, East Lothian Provost John McMillan, with the winning grade 1 band playing the VIPs off the field.

Mr McMillan’s wife Mary is the deputy chieftain.

A street parade will begin at 7pm.

The games were first held in 1996 with about 4,000 people in attendance. This year’s event is expected to attract a crowd of up to 10,000 people.

Road closures are in place and roads around the event are restricted from parking. Diversions and direction signs will be in place.

John Starr, president of North Berwick Highland Games, said: “It is a massive event for East Lothian, probably one of the biggest.

“We have people attending from all over the world so it really is an international event.

“It’s a great family day out and a lot of fun. As our tagline says it’s a champion day out for all the family.

“I hope we are lucky with the weather and it stays good. It’s an outside event so you’ve got to have nice weather for it.

“We can expect up to 10,000 people if not more. It’s a special day out for all the family, I just hope everyone that comes along enjoys themselves.”

The Games begin at 9am at Recreation Park.