Huge prize pots attract best competitors for Halkirk Highland Games 2024
The Halkirk Highland Games 2024, a traditional and spectacular Scottish sporting event held in Caithness, will take place on Saturday, July 27.
The Games, always held on the last Saturday in July, attracts crowds of up to 3500 and has been called one of the “premier sporting events in the north of Scotland”.
Prize money of £21,000 is among Scotland’s highest and attracts the country’s best amateur and professional competitors. There is additional money of £21,000 on offer for breaking ground and national records, eg £1,000 for breaking a world record in the heavy events and £300 for a new ground record in the track and field events.
The organisers say: “We have been successful this year in gaining the Royal Scottish Highland Games Association (RSHGA) World Heavyweight Championship.
“JGC has sponsored the first prize for this of £1000. We also have prizes for second to sixth places. It is decided by overall points from events one to eight – all the heavy events bar tossing the sheaf.”
There are four RSHGA Scottish Championships up for grabs in 16lb hammer; 22lb hammer; 800m open cycling; and 800m open under-16 cycling. Female track and field events this year will be run concurrently with the men’s events but will have separate prize money and overall prize money.
“We are hoping to see lots of female athletes competing in these events,” added the organisers.
There are over 100 events packed into an afternoon and the Caithness event is likened to the Scottish version of a mini Olympic Games. There are normally dozens of competitors from all over the country and often from abroad who travel to the far north to enjoy the Halkirk Highland Games.
The ‘Heavies’ are the kilted strongmen who toss massive wooden cabers, throw Scots hammers, weights and put the shot – a sight not to be missed. There are pipers, Highland dancers, track and field athletes, cyclists, clay pigeon shooters and child competitors, all hoping to win top prizes.
Spectators are kept informed of all the action by both the roving commentator and announcer. Surrounding the arena are entertaining side stalls, charity stalls, a thrilling fun fair, plus food and drink stalls/marquees.
“The tug o’ war is back. We have invited the three Caithness Young Farmer groups to enter two teams each consisting of six persons, a minimum of two females per team and with a weight limit of 500kg per team. The prize money will be £200, £150 and £100.”
There will also be chanter competitions running as part of the junior piping with different age groups represented. “Hopefully, we will see plenty of budding pipers competing.”
There will also be two pipe bands this year, Wick RBLS Pipe Band along with Thurso and District Pipe Band will lead the Grand March from Bridge Street to the Games field at noon, prior to the official opening at 12.15pm by the Games Chieftain, the Rt Hon Viscount Thurso.
The bands will play at regular intervals throughout the day and also perform in a street parade in the evening from 7.30pm to 9pm. The day is rounded off by a grand marquee dance at 10pm with Eclipse playing.
The event organisers add: “A warm friendly welcome awaits you at the Halkirk Games, which is always a great family day out.”
The Halkirk Highland Games is a member of the Royal Scottish Highland Games Association.
The first Halkirk Highland Games, organised by Halkirk Athletic Club, were held in 1886 adjacent to the newly built Gerston distillery, moving to a field near Hoy railway station before finally settling in Recreation Park in 1921. The initial 16 events have grown to over 100 and the prize money is the highest of any games in Scotland.
Admission is by cash only. Adult tickets for the games cost £10; concessions £5; children 12-16 £5; and those under 12 get free entry. Parking will be free.
