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1999 Mr. A Robertson, Durness |
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In the introduction from Games Chairperson Iris
Mackay she welcomed everyone to the last Durness Highland Gathering of
this millennium with plans to continue well into the next century. On
the 3rd. September 1969 a meeting was held in Durness village hall to
revive the games after an absence of about 14 years. Three members of
the committee elected that evening still remain as dedicated to success
of the occasion as they were then. Hector Sutherland, Danny Mackay and
Billy Morrison, she thanked them for their long time support and all the
other committee members and assistants for their help before introducing
this years Chieftain Angus Robertson. Chieftain Robertson has a long-standing participation in sport but manly of a different style than was seen at the Durness Games. He has played first class rugby for Bedford and the Navy and rowed at Henley until 1960 when he was part of a team trying to make the 1960 Olympics. Rowing has latterly been his main interest with a deep involvement in organising the Henley Royal Regatta. He has been on the committee of management for the regatta for 21 years and spends a month of the year organising other regattas in South Africa. He was a managing director of an engineering company in that country before moving to be based in Dorset. He now does consultant work as a tax commissioner on a part time basis. Angus moved to Durness in 1993, and was proud and honoured to be asked to take the role of Chieftain. Attired in Hunting Robertson highland dress he was genuine in his praise for the warmth and kindness of the remarkable people of Durness. He reiterated the chairperson’s remarks that the amount of work behind the scenes to accomplish a successful event is only achieved through a commitment of hard work. At least two records were broken at this years games. Ian Ross from Dornoch in the light hammer confined beat the ground record raising the length from 90ft to 91ft 6 ins. and in the long jump a new record set by Willie Stark from Aberdeen now stands at 20ft 8 ins. Despite the poor tourist season so far the numbers of visitors at the gate were up and the crowd remained throughout the afternoon enjoying the full programme of events. Compare Graham Bruce giving a running commentary on the obscure origin of some of the events. |
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Durness was mild, warm and shrouded in a light
mist but gave perfect conditions for the competitors. Joining the heavy
weight events were two Norwegian contestants. Although good in their
field they were unable to beat the ‘local’ contingent of brothers
Alistair and Murray Gunn. In the tossing the caber the Murray brothers
were first equal with the caber half a minute from the twelve o’clock,
displaying some of the best throwing seen. The high standard of dancing
and piping was maintained and the field, track, novelty and children’s
events attracted a large number of competitors. After a little doubt about the conditions being suitable for the hill race, and a check made that all the markers and signs would be clearly visible this event went a head. The winner, Alexander Munro at 17 years from Kinlochbervie, is the youngest ever winner coming home in 25 minutes. Alexander has run in an international cross-country in primary school and his ex gym mistress believes that if the facilities were available he has great potential. The evening dance in the village hall was with Febus where the party continued into the wee small hours. |
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Throughout the afternoon the Sutherland Schools Pipe band paraded and
played in the games' field. Many compliments and acclaim regarding the
professionalism of this group of young people was made adding to a
highly successful, homely and friendly Durness Highland Gathering. The
main difference between Durness games and others is that the events are
open all commers. It’s been like a New Year in the middle of the year
was a heartfelt comment about Durness this week. |
