Inveraray Highland Games is a hit once again
It was a momentous day at Inveraray Highland Games on Tuesday in several ways as hon treasurer Jim McMillan retired from his position after 34 years of dedication to the role.
Mr McMillan was given the honour of taking the salute from Mid Argyll Pipe Band as they left the games field, a job normally carried out by His Grace the Duke of Argyll Torquhil Campbell.
The day kicked off with the Duke and Mid Argyll Pipe Band leading a parade through the Royal Burgh to Winterton Park in the grounds of Inveraray Castle.
Also joining the parade was Captain Elaine Boyd from HM NB Clyde, who was on hand to present prizes.
Captain Boyd enjoyed a proud moment herself, as she watched her seven-year-old niece, Alice MacBeath from Helensburgh, compete in the Highland dancing.
Young dancers having a rest in between dances. Photograph: Kevin McGlynn
The World Caber Tossing Championships, a prestigious event that brings competitors from across the globe to Inveraray, was won for the third time in a row by Vlad Tulacek from the Czech Republic.
Mr Tulacek said: “I love Inveraray Highland Games. I’ve been doing fewer competitions this summer as I’m going to the World Highland Games Championships in Canada in August, so I’m prioritising that. This year I am focussing more on the bigger games events.”
The games field was bustling with activity as some of the finest pipers, Highland dancers and athletes competed in a range of events.
There were plenty of stalls selling Scottish produce and delicious catering including from Inveraray’s own George Hotel.
Vlad Tulacek Cze, centre, winner of the world caber tossing championship Inveraray games with Kris and Niki Clark of the George Hotel Inveraray. Photograph: Kevin McGlynn
Games Convener Stephen King, left and Iain Lindsay, Inveraray games committee, make a presentation to Jim MacMillan retiring as treasurer after 34 years. Photograph: Kevin McGlynn
Games convenor Stephen King said: “There has been good piping, good dancing, high numbers of entries in the events. We had a large pool of competitors in the heavies too.
“Our treasurer Jim McMillan is retiring after 34 years. He has been a huge part of our games and he will be hard to replace. And it’s not only the games, he has done everything in the community from volunteering with local clubs to helping to form Inveraray and District Pipe Band."
Mr McMillan, 67, said: “This will be my 34th year as treasurer. I came up here to work in the Royal Bank [of Scotland]. I’m originally from Cumnock in Ayrshire. I moved about with the bank and worked at the Oban branch too but I still lived in Inveraray.
“When I first moved here the first person to come in and see me as the bank manager asked me to be treasurer of the church. The second person asked me to be treasurer of the Highland games.”
He quipped: “I couldn’t say no to either.”
Mr McMillan will be keeping busy despite retiring from his games post. He continues to be the manager of Inveraray and District Pipe Band, which he formed with Stuart Liddell in 2005.
The band quickly climbed the ranks and today are classed at grade one having won many accolades, including the World Pipe Band Championships in 2017 and 2019.
Speaking about his decision to retire from the games committee, Mr McMillan said: “The games have been through a few difficult financial years, they are solid now due to certain funds so it was time to pass it on.
“The Duke usually takes the salute from the pipe band at the end of the day but, because I was retiring, they asked me. It was a special honour.
“I have had a lot of help over the years from all the ladies who take the entry fees at the gates.
“The games are run by volunteers, all local people who were hard at work setting up the field over the weekend in preparation, and they will be working all day on Wednesday taking it all down again.”
Captain Elaine Boyd, guest of honour, is delighted to get a hug from her niece Alice MacBeath, 7, who was dancing at Inveraray games. Photograph: Kevin McGlynn
Vlad Tulacek tossing the caber to win the medal for the third time. Photograph: Kevin McGlynn
Captain Elaine Boyd was busy presenting prizes throughout the day, including the novice and junior Highland dancing trophies.
It was quite nostalgic for Captain Boyd, who competed at Highland dancing events herself as a child.
She said: “I have enjoyed listening to the pipes and had a proud moment watching my seven-year-old niece compete in the Highland dancing.
“This was my first time at Inveraray games and it has been fantastic, superb. The quality of dancing was super, the whole event was super.
“It was nice to see so many local businesses with stalls supporting the games.
“I stopped dancing when I was 10 years old, my sister was a far better dancer. The competition today has been brilliant, they were so wonderful to watch. I have enjoyed the culture and the history.”
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