Yell Viking warriors to help celebrate Helmsdale's 40th Highland Games
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It will definitely be a Highland Games with a difference with kilted heavies mixing with a ferocious squad of Vikings
Helmsdale Gathering celebrates its 40th anniversary this year and organisers have already announced that former Helmsdale Primary School pupils who turn 40 this year, have all been invited to serve as Games chieftains on August 15. Invitations have already been sent out.
It marks quite a departure from tradition as normally there is only one chieftain, although previous incumbents of the role usually join in the opening parade.
And now it has been revealed that there will also be some other very special guests, who will add an an extra pizazz to the celebrations.
Games secretary Fiona Sutherland. said that a squad of Up Helly Aa Vikings from Cullivoe, a village on Yell in the Shetland Isles, would be at the games. And it just happens that the leader of the squad has a link with Helmsdale.
She said: “We are super excited to announce that we will be welcoming Cullivoe Up Helly Aa guizer jarl Craig Dickie and his squad to our 40th Helmsdale Highland Games.
Crag and his wife Becky have strong Helmsdale Connections. Becky was brought up in the village and is the younger daughter of Ruth Whittaker and her late husband John.
Craig took on the role of guizer jarl at the Cullivoe fire festival in February. He portrayed Viking hero Sweyn Asleifsson, described in the Orkneyinga Saga as the ultimate Viking - a charismatic, but ruthless character,
In 1139 Asleifsson set out to seek revenge of his fathers death. He rowed across the Moray Firth to seek Olvir Rosta who resided in Helmsdale, and, after a fierce battle, returned home victorious.
The squad’s vessel was also named Hjalmundal, the Norse name for Helmsdale, and the squad shields were decorated with images of Highland cattle which Craig and Becky keep at at their home on Yell.
The Dickies have three girls, Jessica, Monica and Rosie, who were part of the squad.
Games spokeswoman Mrs Sutherland said: “We are delighted to have this connection with Shetland, and warmly welcome them to Helmsdale to share our day with us.”
Meanwhile Games organisers are asking for suggestions as to what to call a group of chieftains.
Mrs Sutherland said: “We think this is quite an unusual concept so would welcome your ideas. We will put the best three options to a winning vote.”
Visit the Games’ Facebook page for more information.
