Olympian skills on show at Morvern Games and Gala Week

Meanwhile back in Lochaline, a fierce battle was underway in both the junior and senior bowls. In the junior section, Helen Jones was declared the winner with runner-up Shae. Player of the tournament was James Cameron. In the senior section, father and son team Iain and Ewan Mowat were the overall winners.

The Flower Festival at Keil Church started on Tuesday, where there were wonderful displays adorning every corner of the church, including an innovative Olympic arrangement from Jennie Robertson. 

Isle of Mull Gymnastics Club hosted an open session to try out the new equipment. Unfortunately, Lochaline Social Club had to postpone the scheduled Children’s Disco that afternoon, so the committee quickly arranged a Kids Zone at Lochaline Village Hall, and Janette Cameron kindly stepped in to run some games for the children. 

It was eyes down for the bingo that evening, and a full house ensured great prize money for those lucky enough to win a line or a house.

Morvern Watersports Club hosted their Open Day on the Wednesday, and had plenty to keep everyone amused: a swim across Loch Aline, raft race, BBQ and a visit from the Oban Lifeboat to name a few of the activities on offer. The junior raft race was won by Kara, Ruaraidh, Lewis, and Struan.

There was only one entry for the senior section – a hand-crafted Coracle built (and crewed) by the Montgomery Ladies from scratch in just three days! There was also the opportunity to try out a paddle board or kayak. 

Achnaha Community Woodland was the venue for the Family Treasure Hunt: a fun fact-finding mission to locate Mr Squirrel. Wednesday evening’s event was the Annual Gala Week Quiz, organised by Lochaline Village Hall committee. 14 teams took part with eventual winners Team No. 9 – Ally, Mairi and Riona.

On Thursday morning at Lochaline Harbour, the Caolas and Ardnamurchan Arts and Nature project invited everyone along to use monotype printing technique to produce oyster inspired postcards. 

Primary aged youngsters were back at Knock Park to participate in the Mini Highland Games. Despite the damp weather, there was plenty of welly whanging, caber tossing and shot putting by all the enthusiastic participants. 

The RSPB’s Saving Morvern’s Rainforest project team in collaboration with the Scottish Wildlife Trust extended an invitation to delve into the ecological and cultural significance of the temperate rainforests of Morvern.

Countryside Ranger, Eilidh Ann Phillips in association with Ewan’s Room, held a ’Stories by the Fire’ event in Achnaha Community Woodlands for children aged two to seven. There was bug hunting, seed planting, and of course a story or two. 

The Annual Gala Week Pool competition took place Lochaline Social Club, with Stevie the overall winner, and runner-up Mark. Then it was ceilidh time in the hall. The Chieftain’s Ceilidh for 2024 was in honour of the late Fergie MacDonald. 

Organisers said it was great to have some of Fèis nan Garbh Crìochan tutors and participants on stage during the evening, and they said a huge thank you to Kirsten and Yogi for keeping everything running smoothly. A set from Stewart and Rory Malcolm had everyone singing along. The busiest Chieftain’s Ceilidh ever!

CLAM (Community Land Association Morvern) hosted their Open Day on Friday: an opportunity to have a look around the allotments, enjoy a cup of tea and home baking or a freshly made pizza. All proceeds went go to creating an accessible sensory walk. Rhemore Croft offered the chance to see some of Morvern’s beautiful rainforest, and local herbalist, Clare Holohan, led a walk around her medicinal garden.

Lochaline Quartz Sand opened its doors for a guided tour on foot into the underground tunnels. The day was concluded with The Rodeo Race Night run by local Gaelic choir, Bùrach. Organisers were delighted to have a visit from John McCririck (Mary Lindsay) who also won the Best Dressed prize.

Racing Results

RACE 1 The Ternait Trot, sponsored by Kingairloch Estate, was won by Bendis, owned by Henriette Laidlaw, jockey Wendy MacColl 
RACE 2 The Claggan Chase, sponsored by The Lower Deck, was won by Trigger, owned by Joyce Henderson, jockey Ally Nudds 
RACE 3 The Drimnin Derby, sponsored by Bùrach, won by Reayphobia, owned by Riona Whyte, jockey Morven Jackson 
RACE 4 The Lochaline Ledger, sponsored by Kilcamb Lodge Hotel, won by Achnaha Nag, owned by Mary Lindsay, jockey Kate Cruickshank 
RACE 5 The Savary Steeplechase, sponsored by Laura Wilson, won by March On, owned by Stuart Jackson, jockey Kenny MacDonald 
RACE 6 The Bonavullin Blinkers, sponsored by Strontian Distillery, won by No.9, owned by Mairi Jackson, jockey Martin Newton 
RACE 7 The Keil Kanter, won by Usain Colt, owned by Kenny MacDonald, jockey Laura Jackson 
RACE 8 Sponsored by Lochaline Hotel, won by Mistymoo, owned by Wendy MacColl, jockey Hector MacKechnie.

Saturday was Shinty Day, and started with a junior five-a-side tournament. Despite the weather, which was torrential, this was won by the Blue Team. Man of the match was awarded to Innes Buchanan. The rain eased slightly as the adults took to the field for another five-a-side match, with the Pink team coming out on top.

Organisers thanked all the players who turned out on such a damp day, to John (Weeb) Nudds (and his assistants Isla & Mary) for marking the pitch and taking on the referee responsibilities for the day. 

Annemie Shanks had a pop-up café serving delicious food to all. Tacos, nachos, hot dogs, home baking and hot drinks all disappeared very quickly. 

It was back to Lochaline Village Hall for the Final Fling, with Robert Nairn, Alan Nairn and Ewen Henderson providing the music. 

Kiel Church held a Songs of Praise on Sunday afternoon, with Jade MacLean leading the service. Mary Ann Kennedy read a lesson in Gaelic and provided some beautiful music on the clarsach. The Children’s Disco postponed from Tuesday was held in Lochaline Social Club lounge, and there was a music jam session with karaoke in the bar.

The committee would like to thank every person who hosted an event, attended, donated, sponsored, helped, and travelled to Morvern this year. The small committee work hard to organise the event and could not achieve this without support. 

Morvern Games and Gala Week is traditionally held every year on the second Saturday after the first Monday in July, so next year’s dates are 19-26 July: plenty warning to request those holidays, book accommodation, and head for Morvern in 2025!