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secretary@durnesshighlandgathering.co.uk

2001 Janette Mackay from Strathy

Janette has attended the Durness Gathering for over thirty years and her family have participated in all the events. She is probably best known in Gaelic circles having worked diligently and with immense enthusiasm teaching and continuing the Gaelic tradition at local and national mods. Her daughters are very accomplished pipers and have supported the Durness Gathering since an early age and now play the pipes for the dancing competitions.

Durness Highland Gathering

The tinge of doubt that was present about holding this event was certainly unnoticed in the smooth operations and presentation of this years’ popular annual event. Earlier in the year when similar events had to be cancelled there was uncertainty about the Durness Gathering taking place. Even at the latter date of making the final decision the willing band of helpers and members of a devoted committee ensured that the usual programme of track, field and heavy events, spectacular highland dancing and piping competitions were all available.

Supported by a large contingent of former chieftains Janette Mackay from Strathy was in this year’s position of principal chieftain.  Janette was escorted to the Durness Village Square, just before noon by the President’s apprentice for the day, Don Morrison and piped by her two daughters Valerie and Carol Ann. After the formal introductions to the former chieftains and members of the Sutherland Caledonian Pipe band by chairperson Iris Mackay the parade to Shore Park commenced. A large crowd had assembled and with the weather being kind, mild with a rolling sea mist and warm sunny spells, many people stayed and enjoyed all the various activities and spectacular sense of a very traditional and friendly Highland Gathering. Gate numbers were the best for ten years dispelling initial worries of a small turnout!

 

After the initial welcome from the platform by Iris and prior to Janette being asked to officially declare the games open there was a particular surprise in store. As a special tribute to Janette, to mark the occasion, Janette’s daughter Carol Ann came forward form the pipe band and played an exclusive tune composed by Pipe major Andy Venters called “Chieftain Janette Mackay Honeysuckle Cottage” and pipe major Charlie O’Brien a former Durness chieftain then presented Janette with a framed copy of the tune. With a delight and surprise that was apparent to all Janette acknowledged that she was honoured to be asked to preside over the Games. For over thirty years she, with her husband Robin, and daughters have been attending Durness Gathering and it gave her great pleasure to open the proceedings.
Compare Graham Bruce kept the audience informed of the competitions and activities on the field encouraging people to participate with a potted history of their origins. As is usual at the Durness games it is a time for family and friends to meet up and use the occasion as an opportunity to exchange news. It was encouraging to see a large turnout of young people returning to the community and taking part. The local children volunteer form an early age to become involved and help. Youngest helper was 9-year-old Alistair Morrison and he proudly wore his Stewards badge as he ran errands around the field for the judges and clerks.

Competitors were not restricted to local entrants and there was national and international contingent. Dancers from Australia, track event entrants from Spain and Onno Verberne from Norway won the hill race. As the trophies are forbidden to be taken out of the country his stewardship was cut short but his name will be engraved for posterity! Great significance is placed on winning one of the prestigious trophies for piping and dancing.

The fun clay pidgin shoot, making a second year appearance, was very popular. The afternoon in Durness resounded to the music of solitary pipers and a marching pipe band and the most north-westerly village on the British mainland was making loyal Highland memories.

The games were rounded up in the field at around 4pm after drawing the raffle and finalising the novelty events; ladies chuck the wellie, tilt the bucket and tug o war - always popular and full of fun. The first two teams were Durness and the workers from Scottish Power and they must have believed they were extra strong when the rope broke leaving both groups on their ends with legs in the air! The beer tent was open until 7.30 and the games dance, the last one in the old village hall started at 11pm. Local band Blue Ridge were providing the music. The crowd spilled out into the village square and danced into the early morning. An emotional time for many as this will certainly be the last Games dance in the old hall. The venue holds many memories of past dances.

A truly remarkable successful day with Ian Ross breaking his own ground record set last year for throwing the light hammer in the confined event. There was no celebrities making appearances or enormous amounts of money to be won but the friendly atmosphere and feeling of inclusion from an ever cheerful and friendly chieftain and from a hard working and dedicated committee gave all those attending a day to remember.

After sixteen years as games committee secretary Janet Cordiner has notified the committee that she will be retiring from the post. Janet has been committed to ensuring the efficient organisation of games day and is hoping that some of the younger members of the community will take over.

 

Durness Highland Gathering Association Results.

Piping

  • Under 15 March 1. Catherine Maclennan Achiltibuie

  • Under 15 Jig 1. Catherine Maclennan Achiltibuie

  • 15 under 18 March. 1. Clare Lynas Livingston  2. Joanne Shaw Strathnaver 3. Catherine Maclennan Achiltibuie

  • 15 under 18 Strathspey Reel. 1. Clare Lynas Livingston  2. Catherine Maclennan Achiltibuie 3. Joanne Shaw Strathnaver .

  • Under 18 Piobaireacdh. 1. Clare Lynas Livingston  2. Joanne Shaw Strathnaver.

  • Under 18 Jig 1. Clare Lynas Livingston 2. Joanne Shaw Strathnaver. Catherine Maclennan Achiltibuie

  • Open Senior Piobaireachd. 1..Niall Matheson, Inverness 2.  John Angus Smith Thurso 3. Calum MacKenzie Highlanders  4. Brendan Eade Inverness NZ.

  • Open Piping Senior March. 1. Niall Matheson Inverness 2. Brendan Eade Inverness NZ 3. John Angus Smith Thurso 4. . Calum MacKenzie Highlanders 

  • Open Piping Senior Strathspey and Reel. 1. Niall Matheson Inverness  2. Brendan Eade Inverness NZ 3. John Angus Smith Thurso 4. Martin MacDonald

  • Open Piping Senior Jig. 1. John Mulhearn Troon, 2. . Calum MacKenzie Highlanders  3. John Angus Smith Thurso 4. Paul Maclelland Thurso

Dancing

  • 12 and under Highland Fling. 1.Kerry Banks Wick. 2.  Kiri Shallcross Wick 3. Leona McNab Wick

  • 12 and under Sword Dance. 1. Kerry Banks Wick. 2. Kiri Shallcross Wick 3. . Leona McNab Wick

  • 12 and under Sean Truibhas. 1. Kerry Banks Wick. 2. Kiri Shallcross Wick 3. . Leona McNab Wick

  • 13-15 years Highland Fling 1. Tanya Horne Wick 2. Leigh Shallcross Wick 3. Debra Wood, Tain.

  • 13-15 Sword Dance. 1 Tanya Horne Wick 2. Debra Wood, Tain.  3.  Leigh Shallcross Wick

  • 13-15 Sean Truibhas. 1.  Tanya Horne Wick  2. Debra Wood, Tain

  • 16 and over Highland Fling. 1. Darra Wood Tain 2. Isla Wood Dundee 3. Lucinda Sutherland Reay 4. Dianna Daley Austrlia.

  • 16 and over Sword Dance. 1. Darra Wood Tain 2. . Lucinda Sutherland Reay 3. Dianna Daley Austrlia.

  • 16 and over Sean Truibhas 1. Darra Wood Tain   2 Isla Woodman Dundee 3. Lucinda Sutherland Reay 4. Dianna Daley Austrlia.

  • 12 and under Lilt 1 Kiri Shallcross Wick 2. Leona McNab Wick 3.  Kerry Banks Wick

  • 12 and under Hornpipe.1. Kerry Banks Wick 2. Kiri Shallcross Wick 3 Leona McNab Wick

  • 13-15 years Lilt. 1. Tanya Horne Wick 2. Leigh Shallcross Wick 3. Debra Wood Wick

  • 13-15 years Jig. 1. Tanya Horne Wick  2. Debra Wood Wick 3. Leigh Shallcross Wick

  • 16 and over Hornpipe. 1.Isla Woodman 2. Darra Wood Tain   3.Lucinda Sutherland Reay 4. Diana Daily Austrlia. .

  • 16 and over Jig. 1.Isla Woodman 2. Darra Wood Tain   3.Lucinda Sutherland Reay  4. Diana Daily  Australia. .

Heavy Events

  • Putting the Light Shot Open. 1. Alistair Gunn  2. Murray Gunn 3. Ian Mackay 4. Malcolm Munro.

  • Putting the Light Shot Confined. 1. Hugh Maclellan  2. Ian Ross  3. Roddy  Mackay

  • Putting the Heavy Shot Open. 1. Alistair Gunn  2. Murray Gunn  3. Ian Mackay 4. Malcolm Munro.

  • Throwing the Light Hammer Open. 1. Alistair Gunn 2.  Murray Gunn 3.Ian Mackay 4. Ian Ross.

  • Throwing the Light Hammer Confined. NEW GROUND RECORD 1 Ian Ross 2. Hugh Maclellan  3. Roddy  Mackay

  • Throwing the Heavy Hammer Open. . 1. Alistair Gunn 2.  Murray Gunn 3.. Ian Mackay  4. Ian Ross. .

  • Throwing Weight for Distance Open. 1. . Murray Gunn 2. Alistair Gunn 3. Ian Mackay 4. Ian Ross 

  • 56lb. Weight for Distance. 1. Murray Gunn  2. Alistair Gunn 3. Ian Mackay

  • Putting the Shot Boys 12-16. 1. David Coghill Tongue 2. Anson Mackay Tongue 3. Paul Maclellan Inverness

  • Weight Over bar Open. 1.Alistair Gunn  2. Murray Gunn 3. Ian Mackay

  • Tossing the Caber Open. 1. Alistair  Gunn 2. Murray Gunn  3. . Ian Mackay

Track Field and Novelty Events

  • 100yards Open. 1Bert Atkins Lybster 2. Jordi Llansana Barcelona 3. Dani Rodrigo Barcelona 4 Alan Hunt East Holton

  • 100yards Confined. David Ross Kinl;ochbervie 2. Paul Mackay, Durness. 3. Richard  Mackay Tongue 3.

  • 100yards 16 and over and Ladies 1Anna Spain 2. Rebeca Ridgeway Ardmore 3 Dianna daily Australia

  • 100yards Boys 12 under 16. 1 Dwayne Lyon Golspie, 2. Adam Atkins Lybster 3 Theo Gaussen York

  • 100yards Girls 12 under 16. 1.. Lisa Duncan Brora 2. Nuala Dines Edinburgh 3. Anna Bose Forres

  • 100yards Boys 10 under 12. 1. Liam Taylor Inverness 2. Sam Shaw Leeds 3. Ivan Spain

  • 100yards Girls 10 under 12. 1Sinead Macarthy Inverness Claire Banks Wick 3. Eligh Mackay Inverness

  • 100yards Boys 8 under 10.. 1. Robert Maclenen Inverness 2. Andrew Hutle Blairmore 3. Andrew Mackay Inverness

  • 100yards Girls 8 under 10. 1.Fiona Dunsmure Orkney 2. Meggen Macarthy Inverness 3. Ashley Milne Durness

  • 50yards Boys 5-8. 1 Gordon McKnab wick 2. Luke Macarthy Inverness 3. Kieoren Peakock Alton

  • 50yards Girls 5-8. 1Clen Oxford 2. Emma Harrison England 3. Eve MacNeil Glasgow

  • Toddlers Race under 5. 1.Phillip Newlands Renfrew 2. Hannah Docherty Paisley 3. Mary MacCowan  Durness

  • Hop Step and Leap Open. 1. Brett Atkins Lybster  2. Alan Hunt East Holton 3. Adam Atkins Lybster 4. Anna Llansana Barcelona

  • Pillow Fight Under 12. 1Bertie Carron Brown Kent 2. Malcolm King Linlithgow 3. Sam Shaw Leeds

  • Pillow Fight 12 under 16. 1.David Coghill Tongue 2. Teofilo Filife Portugal 3. Graham Campbell Lossie

  • Pillow Fight over 16. 1 Shane Gush Zimbabwe 2. David Bruce Durness

  • Egg and Spoon Girls 5 under 8 Jade Charton South Sheilds 2. Evie Harkins Glasgow 3. Joan Jessiman Boston

  • Egg and Spoon Boys 5 under 8. 1.Logan Munro Scrabster 2. Daniel Docherty Paisley 3. Michael Mcknab Wick

  • Egg and Spoon Girls 8-10. 1 Emma Dunsmure 2 Nichola Morrison Durness 3. Meggen Macarthy Inverness

  • Egg and Spoon Boys 8-10. 1 David Corbet Durness 2. Alistair Morrison Durness 3. Andrew Mackay inverness

  • Egg and Spoon Girls 10-12Sinead Macarthy Inverness Lauren Benzies Inverness 3 Emma Munro Oxford

  • Egg and Spoon Boys 10-12. 1. calum Lynsey Oben 2. Tom Milahen Blackburn 3. Siguird Norway

  • Egg and Spoon Girls 12-16. 1.lisa Duncan Brora 2. Vonne White Fife 3. Vicky White Fife.

  • Egg and Spoon Boys 12-16. 1neil benzies Inverness 2. Blair Duncan Golspie 3. Robert Godsen England

  • Egg and Spoon Girls and Ladies. Ann marie Edinburgh 2. Diana Daily Austrlia 3. Caron Lynsey  Oben

  • High Jump Open. 1= Brett Atkins Lybster  and Alan Hunt East Holton 2. Daniel Rodrigo Barcelona 3. Jordi Llansana Barcellona

  • High Jump Boys 12 under 16. 1Jason Shaw Leeds 2 Eirk Ravnan Norway 3. David Coghill Tongue

  • High Jump 16+ ladies. 1. Anna Llansana Barcelonna 2. Diana Daley Australia

  • 220 yards Open. 1. Brett Atkins Lybster 2 Jordi Llansana Spain 3. Daniel Rodrigo Spain 4 Paul Mackay Durness

  • 220 yards Confined. 1.Paul Mackay, Durness 2 . Richard Mackay Tongue

  • 220 yards Girls and ladies. 1 Anna Barcelonna 2. Darra Wood Tain 3. Rebecca Ridgeway Ardmore, 4. Ann Marie Conn Edinburgh

  • 220 yards Boys 12-16. Dwayne Lyan Golspie 2. Adam Atkins lybster 3. Theo Gaussen York

  • 220 yards Girls 12- 16. 1. Lisa Duncan  Brora 2. Nula deans Edinburgh 3. Vicky Whyte Dyce

  • 220 yards Boys 8-12 Liam Taylor Inverness 2. Sam Shaw Leeds 3. Gary Eastcroft Kinlochbervie

  • 220 yards Girls 8-12. Sinead Macarthey Inverness 2. Emma Dusmire Orkney 3. Eleigh Mackay Inerness

  • Long Jump Open. 1. Brett Atkins Lybster 2. Jordi Llansana Barcelona 3. Alan Hunt East Halton 4. Daniel Rodrigo Barcelona

  • Chucking the Wellie. Girls 12 under 16. 1. Terry harper Banff 2. Sara Abu-Hejleh Suffolk 3. Victoria Elliot Essex

  • Chucking the Wellie Ladies. 1 Diana Daily austrlia 2. Janet Roberts Durness 3. Lynsay Banks Wick

  • Sack Race Girls 5-8. 1.Claire Munro oxford 2. Lawren Polsen Aberdeen 3. Eve Harkins Glasgow

  • Sack Race Boys 5-8. 1. Kieron Munro scrabster 2. Mark McCowan Durness 3. Patrick Hessin  Manchester

  • Sack Race Girls 8-10. 1 Emma Dunsmuir Orkney 2 Ashley Milne Durness 3. nichola Morison durness

  • Sack Race Boys 8-10 1 Stewart Mackay Ullapool 2. Jietse de Mars

  • Sack Race Girls 10-12. 1.Sinead macarthy Inverness 2. Eligh mackay Inverness 3. Emma Munro Oxford

  • Sack Race Boys 10-12. 1.Sam Shaw Leeds 2. Liam taylor Inverness 3. Joe Drinkwater Inverness

  • Sack Race Girls 12-16. 1. lisa Duncan Brora 2. Nula Denes Edinburgh 3. Vonne White Fife

  • Sack Race boys. 12-16 1. Adam Sutherland Golspie 2. Liam Taylor Inverness 3. Sam Prendergast London

  • Sack Race Ladies. 1 Donna Mackay Srathy 2. Darra Wood Tain 3. Diana Daily Australia

  • 440 yards Open. Brett Atkins Lybster 2. Jordi Llansana Barcelona 3. Dania Rodrigo Barcelona  4. Steve Miller Hertfordshire

  • Long Jump Boys 12 under 16. 1. Adam Atkins Lybster 2. Jason Shaw Leeds 3. Sam Shaw Leeds

  • Long Jump Ladies. 1 anna Llansana Barcelona 2. Diana Daley Australia

  • Long Jump Girls 12 under 16. 1 Donna Mackay starthy 2. Catrina Veitch Durness 3. Nuala Deans Edinburgh

  • Hill Race Open. 1 Onno Verberne Norway 2. Davy Ross Kinlochbervie 3. Stephen Millar Hertfordshire 4. fraser Birnie Ardmore

  • Hill Race Boys under 16. 1 dwane Lyon Golspie 2. Scott Morrison Inverness 3. Greg Lyon Golspie 4 Theo Gaussen York

  • Hill Race Girls under 16 1 Eilidh Mackay Inverness 2. Donna Mackay Strathy

  • Hill Race ladies 1. Marie Joegensen Denmark 2. Rebecca Ridgeway Ardmore 3. Sarah Kish Kinlochbervie 4. Darra Wood Tain

  • Hill Race Over 35. 1. Onno Verberne Norway 2. Stephen Millar hertfordshire 3. Shoras Lynsey Oban, 4. John Lyon Golspie

  • Tug-o-War Men. 1 Durness Heroes 2. Nearly English

  • Tug-o-War Ladies. 1. Hillbillies 2. Drinking Devils

  • Tilt the Bucket under 16. 1 Neil and Elaine Benzies Culloden 2. Ashley Milne Durness and Emma Dunsmuir Orkney

 

2000 Prize Winners.

  • Robert Morrison Memorial Trophy for Junior Piping under 15 years. Catherine Maclennan Achiltibuie

  • Robert Morrison Memorial Trophy for Junior Piping 15 under 18 years. Clare Lynas Livingstone

  • J&J Mather Memorial Sheild for Junior piping confined to north west Sutherland. Joanne Shaw, Syre Estate, Strathnaver.

  • Hugh Mackay Cup under 18 Junior Piping confined to county of Sutherland. Joanne Shaw, Syre Estate, Strathnaver.

  • Lewis Cup for Professional Pipers.  Naill Matheson Inverness

  • Andrew Mackay Gunn Memorial Trophy for Pibroch. Niall Matheson Inverness

  • Bank of Scotland Trophy for most promising piper confined to County of Sutherland. Joanne Shaw, Syre Estate, Strathnaver.

  • Dewar Trophy for 12 years and under. Kerry Banks Wick

  • Sandeman Cup for 13 –15 years. Tanya Horne Wick

  • Julia Mackenzie Trophy 12 years and under confined to Sutherland and Ross-shire. No Winner

  • Caberfeidh Cup for 16 years and over Darra Wood Tain

  • Cape Wrath Hotel Cup for open track events . Brett Atkins Lybster

  • Rispond Trophy for open heavy events. Alistair Gunn, Halkirk.

  • McCoubrey Trophy for heavy events confined. Hugh Maclellan, Laid. & Ian Ross Dornoch

  • Keep Fit Trophy for the best male athlete from Durness Parish. Paul Mackay, Durness.

  • Keep Fit Trophy for the best female athlete from Durness Parish. Janet Roberts

  • Marjory Campbell Shield for Boys/Girls 16-18 years open. David Bruce Durness and  Donna Mackay Strathy

  • Fergusson Cup for Boys 16-18 confined to County of Sutherland. David Bruce Durness

  • Kinloch Shield for Girls 12-16 confined to Sutherland.  Lisa Duncan Brora

  • Burton Cup for boys12-16 confined to Sutherland.  David Coghill Tongue and Dwane Lyon Golspie

  • Anne, Dutches of Westminster Cup under 12 girls from Durness Parish Ashley Milne Durness and Nichola Morrison Durness

  • Montgomery Cup under 12 years boys from Durness Parish. David Corbet

  • Haig Tankard for hill race. David Adam Leuchers

  • Ridgway Trophy for hill race 35 years and over. Onno Verberve Norway

  • Marie Christine Ridgway Trophy for Ladies Hill Race. Marie Joegensen Craft Village Durness

  • Durness Youth Club Trophy for Hill race boys under 18. Dwane Lyon Golspie

  • Durness Youth Club Trophy for Hill race girls under 16 Eilidh Mackay Inverness

  • Keepfit Trophy for hill race confined to Durness Robbie Mackay

  • Barr Cup for overall champion from Durness Parish. Paul Mackay, Durness.

  • Carrie Cup for Senior champions in open athletics. Alistair Gunn, Halkirk