Loch Lomond Highland Games 2005

The Loch Lomond Highland Games of 2005 was again a great success with in excess of 12,000 people there on the day.

It started off at 10.00 a.m. with the Triathlon, which was a swim in the chilly Loch Lomond, followed by a cycle round roads in the Country Park, then a run on the many paths in the Balloch Castle Country Park, finishing up in the games arena. This year’s winner was Adam Nichol of Borders Triathlon. Only 20 seconds separated the first three athletes.
This year, we attracted a good field, ranging from absolute beginners to club triathletes, some travelling from as far away as East Sussex, Northumberland and Edinburgh.

 

Our local heavyweight competition also started at the same time with the 16/22lb weight, followed by the 28lb weight for distance. The final event was the caber.
The local Heavyweight Champion for 2005 was Neill Elliott from Helensburgh who was awarded the Alastair MacDonald trophy.

There were 190 Highland Dancers competing this year. They came from all over Scotland, with groups from Nova Scotia, Canada, Eastern United States and British Columbia.
There were 60 overseas dancers competing this year with the novice group being won by a dancer from Canada.

The Scottish Games Association World Heavyweight Championship broung competitors from as far afield as the USA and Ukraine.
A new World Record for the 56lb weight over the bar was achieved by K Churpynine of the Ukraine with a height of 17 feet 2 ins.
The overall World Champion for 2005 was Ryan Vierra of the United States.
In the wrestling, the Open Scottish Heavyweight Champtionship was won by Duncan Hutton from the Tyneside club.
The 12st 7lb British Champion was won by Robert Clark from Yoker.
The open Tug o War was won by Strathardle from Blairgowrie and they local by Scotserve of Dumbarton.

On the track, the 80 metre Scottish Championship was won by Roddy Pitt of Edinburgh and the 90 metre open was won by Greg Goodfellow of Hawick.
Track competitors came from all over Scotland; Hawick, Edinburgh and Glenrothes, to name but a few.
The cycling was also well attended, with competitors from east Kilbride, Dalgety Bay and Bumbarton.
In all, there was a total of 85 athletes taking part in the track events.

This year, seventeen bands competed at the Loch Lomond Highland Games.
Grade 2 was won by Torphichen and Bathgate Pipe Band.
The Novice Juvenile event was won by Dumbarton and District Pipe Band.
A total of 12 Drum Majors competed in the two grades, with the Adult Competition being won by William Jordan of Dumbarton and the Juvenile section being won by Iona Burns of Dumbarton.

The Games Day is a great day out for all the family, from the start at 10.00 am with the Triathlon to the Final Parade of the Massed Bands at 5.00 p.m. in the main arena.

Why not come and join us at a truly Scottish Highland Games next year on Saturday, 15th July 2006 at Balloch Country Park, Balloch.

I hope you will manage to come along.
Jack Hope
(Vice Chairman)