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2000 Mr. Iain Keith |
secretary@durnesshighlandgathering.co.uk
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Chieftain this year was local man Ian Keith coming home to his roots in the village where his family has had strong local connections with involvement in the Games before he was born in 1944. Ian spent his youth in Durness, his mother's home village. He is married to Doreen form Scourie and has four children. Two of his uncles, Willie Robert Morrison in 1950 and great uncle Angie Morrison in 1937 and 1947 his nieces Bernadette and Kirsteen Keith, Nephew James and brother Francis have all been former local Durness Games champions. He obviously was at home amongst many friends and tackled the task of involving and meeting as many of the visitors as possible. Along with his official duties Ian was making sure that he spoke and mingled with the crowd throughout the day. In his opening address Ian recalled the time when he was part of the group determined to revive the Durness Highland Games in 1970. Among others but along with three members of the committee still serving today, Billy Morrison, Danny Mackay and Hector Sutherland they gained the leadership necessary from the Late Dickie Mackay. Ian regarded Dickie as his best friend, a man still well thought of and respected as a guide to the village. Ian was chairman of the Games committee in the late seventies and early eighties when he lived here and was delighted to be asked to be chieftain in the millennium year. Ian praised the determination and commitment of the band of local volunteers that generously give their time to ensure the home and community traditions remain rooted in the Durness Highland Gathering. Although Ian now lives in Fortrose on the Black Isle he has business interests in the Sango Sands Oasis and family in the village. Ian has spent his working life in the construction industry working his way through the ranks and has had a responsibility for major works on projects including the Tongue Causeway and Kyleku Bridge. Now semi retired, Ian was head of Morrison Civil Engineering Highland and a director of Morrisons Construction |
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The annual event of the Durness Highland Games was once again a resounding success. At a time when there are few pillars of stability and constancy the Durness Highland Gathering remains as steady, reliable and sociable as a mid summer hogmany. Even with tourist numbers on the decline and visitors through the gate less than usual the games were not short on enthusiasm and participation. This was in many ways beneficial making the gathering one of the most visitors friendly in the country. The day was a genuine cosmopolitan event. Chairperson Iris Mackay welcoming all in four languages, Gaelic, French, German and English. Local people, visitors national and international met with friends and family to recollect the changes that has taken place over the years. The crowds were encouraged to participate in the many events by compare Graham Bruce who gave a detailed but compact history to the origins of the events. There were capacity entries in the races and fun events. People who did come came to enjoy themselves. A fifteen strong contingent from Thistle Highland Dance Studio in Brisborn Queensland Australia visiting Scotland for 7 weeks were stiff competition for the Scots. While in Scotland along with touring the various Highland Games they are competing at the Highland Dancing British Open, Commonwealth Championships and World Cup. An all male American group supporting the Morgan Tartan with Mackay connections was game to learn about the heavy events and although they were amateurs amongst seasoned professionals such as the Gun Brothers from Halkirk and Ian Ross from Dornoch they were encouraged to have a go. Ian Ross broke the ground record he set last year in throwing the light hammer confined event by adding another 3 feet bringing the record to 93feet 6 inches. Alexander Munro managed second in the three and a half - mile hill race. Last year Alexander was the youngest ever winner but was beaten this year by David Adams form Leucheurs. A new event introduced this year that proved very popular was clay pigeon shooting. All levels participated, some firing a gun for the first time. It was the veterans and experienced that won the prizes but this added another aspect of interest to the day. The Sutherland School's Pipe led the parade of past and present chieftains from the Village Square at 12noon and played in the games field throughout the afternoon. This is the first year that there were no Durness or West Coast members. Although there were only 11 members present they played excellently and to the inexpert appeared as a full quota. It was unlucky that some of the members were unable to attend due to prior work commitments and a spate of illness. The games day caters for everyone and along with the serious events for the prestigious trophies for piping and dancing there are numerous fun events. The tug o War is always a favourite and if first impressions were anything the Royal Navy Diving bomb disposal team were looking sure winners. This turned out a little embarrassing. A team of locals and visitors consisting of 5 children beat them! Tilt the bucket rounded off the afternoon and as usual many went off rather wet being caught in the path of the cold water drop. The festivity went on in the evening with a caildh dance in the village hall. Local band Blue Ridge provided the music into the wee small hours. |
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