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Highland gathering in north-west Sutherland makes a welcome return


By Niall Harkiss

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The last Durness Highland Gathering was held in 2019.
The last Durness Highland Gathering was held in 2019.

Following the disappointment of cancellations in 2020 and 2021, the Durness Highland Gathering Association is looking forward to holding their 50th anniversary games tomorrow (Friday July 29).

The games take place at Shore Park from noon to 5pm.

The day will get under way with the Royal Burgh of Tain Pipe Band and Thurso and District Pipe Band escorting the 2022 Chieftain from the Village Square to the games field at noon.

This year's Chieftain, Donald Campbell, was born in Durness in June 1945. Having served in the army for 22 years he returned to Sutherland in 1985 and later joined the council’s Water and Sewerage Department as a Clerk of Works.

Donald returned to Durness in 2000 and the life of a full-time crofter. Currently, he is chair of the Durness Community Council, a trustee of the Durness Community Group and a director of North West Highlands Geopark.

Chieftain Donald Campbell
Chieftain Donald Campbell

His spell as Chieftain falls in the same week of his Golden Wedding anniversary. He met his wife Jean in Folkestone when he was posted to Dover, and they were married on July 25, 1972 in the Church of Scotland in Durness. Their children, Kirsty and John (both Highland pipers), will be joining Don and Jean as they celebrate.

Traditional piping and dancing competitions, track, field and heavy events will be the competitive order of the day with a variety of food, drink and craft stalls open for spectators.

A performance from the award winnng "Spud the Piper" is also on the cards, and for wildlife lovers, there will be the opportunity to meet some of the new four-legged locals from the Loch Eriboll Alpaca and Farm Centre.

For the first time, tickets for the games can be purchased in advance via www.eventbrite.co.uk

The link to order is available on the Durness Highland Gathering Facebook page.

Later on, attendees are encouraged to get along to the Gathering's evening dance with Blue Ridge at Durness Village Hall. Entry is £10 on the door.


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