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2003 News
Halkirk will be celebrating its 100th Highland Games in 2003. Special prize money and star attractions are being considered as part of celebrating this major milestone.
The Clan Gunn Society will be staging their 14th International Gathering at the Games in 2003.
Welcome to the web site for the Halkirk Highland Games, the premiere sporting event in the North of Scotland and the Scottish Highlands and Islands. Every summer up to 5,000 visitors and locals flock to the village of Halkirk in Caithness (pop. 1,000) for a day of traditional and spectacular Scottish sports.
Established in 1886 by the Halkirk Athletic Club, the present 36 strong committee maintain a proud tradition of good organisation and excellent prize money, thus attracting the best athletes from Scotland and often the World. The success of the Games is also due to generous sponsorship from local businesses and patrons. The main sponsors for the last few years have been NNC Ltd and the Ulbster Arms Hotel, Halkirk.
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Throwing the hammer
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Halkirk has the great honour of staging two Scottish National Championship events. They are; throwing the 28lb weight for distance and 2000m cycle race.
The "Heavies" resplendent in their kilts, are the true Highland strongmen and provide a unique sporting spectacle. Tossing the caber (a 19 foot long tree trunk) is an event not to be missed. Throwing the Scots hammer, tossing the sheaf, putting the shot, throwing the weight for height and distance, plus the eight man tug o' war contest are unique events that will keep you enthralled all afternoon.
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| The voluntary organising committee has, for the last 35 years, invited the very best Scottish pipe bands to play. The bagpipes and drums are first heard during the traditional march of the Committee, at 12.15pm, from the village centre to the field at the Recreation Park. The march is led by the Chieftain Margaret Viscountess
Thurso, the Honorary President The Viscount Thurso and the President Mr Peter Murchison.
The band play at regular intervals throughout the day and then for an hour in the evening, in the village
centre. The day is completed with a grand marquee dance at 10pm.
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Marching Pipe Band
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A staggering total of 92 events are staged throughout the day. The first is at 10am and the last at 4.45pm. They include running, jumping, cycling, throwing, tug o' war, Highland dancing, piping, clay pigeon shooting, children's races, novelty races and a baby show.
Scottish and World Champions regularly compete at Halkirk and therefore you will witness the very best competition in all the sporting events. The current World records for the 22lb hammer and the 56lb weight for height were created at Halkirk in 1998 and 1999.
We are members of the SGA and the Scottish Athletics Federation (SAF) and thus open to professional and amateur athletes. There are separate track and field events for women and youths. The prize money on offer (£12,000) is one of the highest in Scotland and many athletes have said that this, combined with the excellent organisation, makes the Games one of the best in the Country.
We have the prestige of being the venue for the annual gatherings of the Clan Gunn and Sinclair. Both Clans have hospitality tents and a visit to them may help in finding out if your ancestors came from Caithness. The year 2000 saw both Clans stage their International Gatherings and nearly 400 clansmen and women, from all over the World, enjoyed a fantastic day in their homeland.
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Opening Ceremony
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Our excellent commentators will ensure that you will be informed of all the day's excitement in the ring. Your enjoyment will be enhanced by ringside seating, car parking on the field, covered catering facilities, a licensed
refreshment tent, changing facilities, toilets and various side stalls. There is even a fun fair that will keep the kids happy for hours!
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Contact Information
Secretary: Mr Charlie Miller
Address: Ashleigh, Church Street, Halkirk, Caithness, KW12 6YD
Tel: 01847 831 287
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