THOUSANDS ARE SET to flock to Gordon Castle in Fochabers for their 6th annual Highland Games and Country Fair next week.
This year the event includes a special invitation to all those named Gordon who are being asked to attend a special ceremony in celebration of their quintessentially Scottish name.
The spiritual home of the House of Gordon, Gordon Castle will once again open their doors to all on May 15 – but with a special welcome for those with a first, middle or surname of Gordon.
Famous faces Gordon Strachan and Gordon Ramsay are just some of the celebrity names invited to join the merriment, while former members of the Gordon Highlanders are also urged to attend, along with owners of the Estate’s very own Gordon Setter dog breed.
Angus Gordon Lennox, owner of Gordon Castle Estate, said “Sometimes people can lose sight of their roots and we decided that it would be wonderful to celebrate and congratulate everyone named Gordon.
“It’s a name that has amazing historical significance, but as a first name it is being used less and less. It was only 915th in the top baby names of 2015 and we hope, by drawing attention to it during our 6th Highland Games and Country Fair, we can reverse that trend and make all Gordons feel special once again.”
Preparations have been put in place to welcome Gordons of all ages and from all geographical locations. To mark the occasion, every Gordon will be greeted as an honorary guest with each receiving a collector’s edition Gordon badge.
The Gordon Castle Highland Games and Country Fair is Scotland’s newest Highland Games, attracting crowds of up to 10,000 national and international visitors and families. The annual gathering marks the start of the quintessentially Scottish season with an array of traditional and contemporary attractions.
This year’s schedule will continue to showcase traditional heavy sporting events, massed pipe bands and highland dancers as well as the unique country sports arena, craft and food tents and shopping.
The event will welcome new faces in the form of adrenalin-fuelled stunt artists The Clan, seasoned performers for BBC Children in Need, ITV and the Olympics.
The one-day event will be held in the picturesque grounds of Gordon Castle Estate from 10.30 until 17.00 – for more information or to purchase tickets visit www.gordoncastlehighlandgames.co.uk.