Record breaking day at Gordon Castle for annual games

Gordon Castle
A BUMPER CROWD gathered at Gordon Castle on Saturday for the annual Highland Games and Country Fair – with several records broken by competitors.

The games have once again become a regular and much anticipated feature in the Moray/Speyside calendar since it was restored in 2011.

Estate owner Angus Gordon Lennox was delighted as thousands turned out for the event, saying that all indications were that far more had arrived on the Speyside estate that had been seen in recent years.

“We have certainly been lucky with the weather,” Mr Lennox said, adding: “We have also been fortunate that so many people chose to come along – and it appears that everyone had a great day.”

Attending the games this year was a delegation from the Chinese Embassy led by Minister Xu Jin. Mr Lennox said: “They were absolutely thrilled by it all – it must have been quite novel for them.”

In the 22lb heavy stone event Lucas Wenta beat the record he set at Gordon Castle last year by throwing 44ft 2in – three inches further than he threw in 2014. The East Kilbride-based Pole also won the 16lb Shot event with a 56ft 11in throw.

Another record was broken by Craig Sinclair in the 28lb heavy stone, sending the stone over five feet longer than his previous record with a 80ft 7in throw.