:: History of the Halkirk Highland Games

Contents:- -History-|-John Porter History-

A Short History of the Halkirk Highland Games written by Mr. John Porter

The origins of the Highland Games in general and the Halkirk Games in particular are difficult to determine.

Highland Games, as we know them today have developed from events that became popular in the first half of the nineteenth century. Many give the credit for popularising these peculiarly Scottish sports' meetings to Queen Victoria who valued the support of the Scots, particularly in her Scottish regiments. However, many scholars suggest that clan chiefs held sports to find the best men in the clan and that racing, wrestling, trials of strength and archery were indulged in as far back as the year 900.

The earliest record of the Halkirk games is an item in the NORTHERN ENSIGN of 29^th September, 1886, which reads: "On Saturday last, games in connection with the Halkirk Athletic Club were held in a field near the new Gerston Distillery, which had been kindly loaned by Mrs A Mackay. The day was fine and the competition keen". It seems that about this time there was a flush of enthusiasm for this type of event and games were already being held at Dunbeath, Wick, and Ackergill. The same newspaper states in September 1883: "There can be no doubt but Highland Games are rapidly gaining ground in the far north of Scotland and surprise may be expressed at the wonderful hold such sports retain on popular favour". When we next read of the Halkirk Games both day and venue have changed and they are advertised in the ENSIGN for Monday 27^th August 1888, in a field near the old Hoy Railway Station. In 1890 the Games were advertised like this:

GRAND HIGHLAND GAMES WILL BE HELD UNDER THE AUSPICES OF HALKIRK ATHLETIC CLUB IN A PARK NEAR HOY STATION ON MONDAY SEPT. 8^th 1890

Piper's Parade the Field on a Halkirk Highland Games day

A full programme was laid out, including the shot, hammer and pole vault, foot races, sack races, etc., and also piping. This particular Monday was chosen as it was the Thurso holiday and cheap return rail tickets could be obtained from THURSO to HOY STATION. These Games seem to have been memorable affairs although a crowd of a round a thousand was considered large. The tug-of-war was a big attraction with famous finals such as Ploughmans v Ghillies 1893 and Halkirk v Thurso 1899.

In these latter years it was noted that the weather was glorious and that a dance followed in the Drill Hall till 3 a.m. Such arrangements continued until the 1914-18 War. On restarting after the war the date was retained but the venue was moved to the Recreation Park in the village. Attendances began to rise and in 1927, for instance, the secretary was asked to obtain 1000 tickets at 1/3d and 350 at 6d. In 1938 a ladies' football match was one of the attractions. In those days the committee met on a Saturday afternoon before the Games to set out the ring and pitch the tents.

The 1939 Games were held a few days before the outbreak of WWII. An emergency committee meeting was held in November 1940 "with a view to making a donation to the Caithness Spitfire Fund". This was duly done. The Games were not restarted till 1952 when at a meeting in the pavilion on the 31^st May it was unanimously agreed to revive the once annual event; Mr Alexander Swanson, Tister, was appointed President. The Games' date was set as Thursday 24^th July but shortly after was altered to Saturday 23^rd August. The programme was very similar to today's and the weather, by now, traditionally good. Gradually the crowds increased and in 1973 a figure of 6000 was topped. Thurso Pipe Band gave valiant service for many years and since 1966 Grade 1 bands have attended, among them the City of Glasgow Police and Edinburgh City Police Bands, both World Champions on many occasions.

If public support is maintained and the enthusiasm of the committee remains as at present, there seems no reason to fear that the Games will not celebrate their centenary in 1986 and go marching on!

FOREWORD by Lord Thurso (Robin Sinclair) from 1977

Lord Thurso, the Lord Lieutenant and Chieftan of the Games, flanked by piping judges Mr. Bob Mackay on his right and Mr. Gordon Asher on his left.

For over forty years now a row of lustre glass vases has stood on the mantelpiece of my mother's bedroom at Dalnawillan. These are my trophies from the Halkirk Games - trophies won by shooting corks out of the mouths of weird faces in Charlie Hercher's shooting booth! Later, I actually won a second prize at the clay pigeons, shooting with a single barrelled hammer action fourteen, and later still came trailing in umpteenth in the veterans' race, which my wife won. All of this technically makes me a professional athlete, but in my own estimation makes me a true "amateur."

Everyone connected with the Highland Games is an amateur in the best sense of the word. The whole village of Halkirk is involved in making every effort to ensure the success of the Games and the work is done with true dedication. The whole Halkirk year is punctuated by the event. Games Day is a climax to be worked up to, to be vividly enjoyed, and to be savoured in retrospect.

The Halkirk Games means many different things to many different people, but some things are common to everybody's experience. The Games Field is an annual meeting place of friends and relations. It is not just a spectacle, it is a party in which everyone takes part, and in which even the contestants are old friends to be welcomed back, or new friends to be welcomed into the circle.

Reproduced from the booklet 'Halkirk and its Highland Games' published by the Halkirk Athletic Club in 1977

DESCRIPTION

The Halkirk Highland Games are the highlight of the Halkirk social calendar and attract athletes from all over Scotland and beyond who come here to compete in an event with a tradition going back to 1886.

Pipers parade around the field throughout the afternoon.

The games are famous throughout the Highland's, Scotland and the world, as being one of the biggest and the best Highland Games in Scotland.

The Games owe it's popularity to the pride and dedication adopted by the 36-strong committee whotake a professional approach to organise the 80 plus events and of course, the second largest prize money on offer in Scotland.

The games also attract many exiles who arrange to "come home" during Games week.

An old adage proclaims that once the Halkirk Games are past - that is when you notice the nights drawing in! Summer's end......if it ever starts!

Whatever the weather offers, the Halkirk Highland games offers a warm and friendly welcome to everyone.