DUFFTOWN IS GEARED up and ready to host its 123rd Highland Games on Saturday with thousands once again expected to flock to the Speyside town.
Last year the games attracted a record crowd with over 5000 attending and competitors taking part from around the world – there were also 12 pipe bands providing 200 pipes and drums performing in the traditional massed band parade.
Saturday’s event will see 13 bands line up and once again the competition will be fierce from an international cast, alongside dozens of trade and craft stalls around the arena at the Mortloch School Field.
New games Chieftain, Alex Grant, will welcome all his guest including Moray’s MSP Richard Lochhead who declared the Dufftown games as the highlight of the summer.
Mr Lochhead said: “Dufftown Highland Games is a highlight of the Moray summer calendar and I’m looking forward to being one of the thousands of people enjoying this fantastic annual event.
“With a new Chieftain and a record number of pipe bands, this is a hugely exciting year for the Games and I hope the local community will show their support by attending in record numbers.
“It’ll be great to catch up with the organisers who work so hard all year round to make it a success, and in particular to meet with new Chieftain on his very first Games.”