From our August 5 edition
The Highland Games season is upon us! Last year I had the privilege of being asked to be chieftain of the Invercharron Highland Games which was not only an enormous privilege but great fun.
Traditionally they are the last games of the year but between now and this year’s years games on September 17 there are games all over the county and beyond, including at Dornoch today.
The games days could never happen without a whole heap of volunteers who give their time and energy to serve on organising committees.
On the day there are even more stewards and judges, caterers and parking attendants who spend hours of their own time helping to make the day a good one for competitors and visitors.
The same, it has to be said, goes for all the agricultural shows in the area too.
The Raggie last week had a great article on the fantastic amount of work that made the Sutherland Agricultural Show such a success and gave praise where praise was, and is very rightfully, due.
The shows and the games are very much a part of the Highland way of life. They are primarily for local people which is great. But they are also very welcoming of visitors. Often despite the weather! They are also a great boost to the local economy. Best of all, they are simply wonderful days out for everyone and they bring our communities together.
For young adults there is the added bonus of the availability of a big marquee with loud, live music and a drinks’ licence, which continues to fill up long after all the trophies of the day have been won.
Again it’s great fun and I appreciate how many look forward to these get togethers. I know some of our young people come home from wherever they are now working or studying, especially to join in the fun.
An old fogey like me though, especially in the light of what happened in Dornoch last year after the County Show dance, might like to see a little less alcohol and other things consumed during these marquee nights. Not because I’m an old fogey and a wet blanket, just because I want people to have both a good time and to stay safe.
People are used now to appointing a designated driver on a night out, someone who won’t drink in order to taxi everyone else home at the end of the night. Perhaps groups of friends on marquee nights should appoint a designated fogey whose job it is to keep an eye on them and to make sure that when the night is over, everyone manages to get home safely.
Games days and show days are fantastic community efforts. Let’s be grateful for all the effort that goes into them and let’s care enough about each other to look out for one another as we enjoy and make the most of all they offer – Susan Brown.
