:: Report - Season 2005

The total prize purse of over £20,000, the largest in Scotland, ensured that the record crowd of nearly 5,000 were enthralled by many of the World's best athletes, Highland dancers and pipers competing at the North of Scotland's top Games.

They watched World Heavyweight champion Ryan Vierra, California, make his first appearance at Halkirk. He swept away all challengers to clinch the title of Champion of Champions. International champions Ken Lowther, USA, Andrew Hobson, USA, James Parman, Texas, Larry Brock, North Carolina, Petur Gudmundsson, Iceland, Dave Brown, California, Murray Gunn, Halkirk, Ian MacKay , Thurso & Alistair Gunn, Halkirk, could not match the power, speed and strength of the Californian strongman. He broke the ground record for the 16lb shot putt with 55'6" and won the blue riband event of tossing the caber. The record was his 298^th of his distinguished heavyweight career.

Vierra said "It's the best games I have been to. Everything is first class, the setting, the crowd, the atmosphere and the hospitality is second to none."

On the track, Wick professional cyclist Evan Oliphant scorched around the 200m ring to win all seven races ahead of his 12 rivals, including the Scottish 2000m championship. Oliphant is in his first year with the Lancaster based recycling.co.uk pro racing team, with his schedule already taking him to South Africa, USA, Italy, France and Ireland. He has already qualified to compete for Scotland at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne and is aiming to win a medal on the track. His next big race is the Tour of Britain, where he hopes to better last years placing of 33^rd.

Two new ground records were set in the light field events. Overall champion Andrew MacDonald, Aberlour, extended the long jump mark to 20'9", while Dingwall's Ken Pockerniecki leapt 8'10" to set a new record height in the pole vault. Andrew Douglas of Halkirk won the 10Km run organised in conjunction with Caithness Amateur Athletic Club.

Halkirk Young Farmers beat their deadly local rival Forss Young Farmers to clinch the Tug O'War title. The clay pigeon shooting champion was P Sutherland.

Niall Matheson, Inverness was again the day's top piper, after beating a strong contingent from home and abroad. The top adult dancer was Eilidh McMillan from Kirkmichael.

The crowd were entertained by the first appearance of the Lanarkshire Pipes and Drums, led by Pipe Major Barry Donaldson.