'Week long party' set to begin in Golspie as 50th annual Gala Week kicks off
The 50th annual Golspie Gala kicks off tomorrow with a bumper list of events planned.
The long-established event, described as "a week long party with fun for everyone", will run from Saturday, July 29 until the following Saturday, August 5.
This year's Gala queen, Mea Macleod and her two attendants, Chelsea Morrison and Tyler Oglesby, will have a very busy but no doubt enjoyable and memorable week.
The trio were selected for the roles at a Gala Queen Dance at the Stag's Head Hotel in the village earlier in the year.
As is now an established tradition in the village, Rhiann Sutherland, last year’s Gala queen, will perform the crowning.
Gala Week will be officially opened this year by local singer/songwriter, Geordie Jack. No stranger to Gala Week festivities, Geordie has previously performed with groups, Colorado and The Jacks.
A Gala Week representative said: "From the opening crowning ceremony and the queen's grand ball to the closing grand finale massed pipes and drums, it is going to be a cracker of a week. So scan the programme and make your plans."
As well as the staple Gala Week events such as treasure hunts, quizzes, marquee events, sports and games, football and more, not to mention plenty for the kids, several other events will run throughout the week.
East Sutherland Art Society will continue their summer art exhibition throughout the week, which began on Tuesday.
The Golspie Heritage Exhibition will run from Monday to Friday from 10am until 4pm at the Golspie Heritage Society. The theme for this years exhibition will be “50 years of Gala Fun”.
Lord-Lieutenant for Sutherland, Major General Patrick Marriott will also be conducting guided walks at the recently erected Littleferry memorial stone.
The 'Battle of Littleferry' walks are free to join, taking place near the Golspie Golf Club greenkeepers' building.
Two separate walks are scheduled for Monday July 31 at 1pm, and Wednesday August 2 at 6pm.
A detailed list of Golspie Gala Week events is listed below:
Saturday July 29
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9.30am – Flowers show featuring a display of former queens and attendants dresses, held at the YMCA.
2pm – Sand castle competition. Entry is free at the north side of the pier. Release your inner sculptor. Free ice cream for all children taking part.
6pm – Crowning ceremony and raffle, at Golspie High School playing fields.
7.30pm – An evening of professional wrestling. £5 entry at Golspie High School games hall. A hugely entertaining show featuring Scotland's finest professional wrestlers.
7.30pm – Queen's grand ball donation, held at the Gala marquee. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Golspie Gala Week we will be holding a grand ball in the marquee tent for all ex queens and attendants.
Members of the public are welcome to attend after 9pm. Live music will be provided by The Jacks and the 136.
Sunday July 30
10am – North of Scotland Kart Club at Little Ferry, Golspie. Refreshments available from “Nannas Kitchen”.
1pm – Demolition Derby £10 admission at Strathsteven Broch. Under-12s go free. As seen on TV, world famous Banger Racing with drivers from all over the world taking part. Various stalls and refreshments available. Strictly no entry to pit areas and all pets to be kept on a lead.
2pm – Open bowls tournament £3 entry fee at Golspie Bowling Club, to contest the Norman Miller memorial shield
3.45pm – Open darts tournament £3 entry fee at the Stags Head Hotel.
5pm – Pub treasure hunt £3 per person. The hunt starts at Golspie Golf Club, and finishes at Golspie Inn, with BBQ food available at the Golf Club.
7pm – Songs of Praise collection at GGW Marquee – school grounds.
9.30pm – Live entertainment £5 at Golspie Inn. Music from The 136.
Monday July 31
11am – Youth junior county football tournament (free entry) at Golspie High School playing fields for the Pearl Mackay Trophy.
1pm – Battle of Littleferry Guided Walk (free entry) – A guided walk by Patrick Marriot starting at the recently erected Littleferry memorial stone (just down from the golf club greenkeeper building).
1pm – Open pool competition and dominoes. £3 per person at the Stags Head Hotel.
2pm – Children's rounders and BBQ. Free entry at the marquee. Fast paced fun, topped off with a free burger for the kids.
3pm – Junior 3k colour run (free entry) at Golspie High School playing fields. A 3k fun run "for all you dreamers and magic makers." For maximum effect, wear your best whites and you can walk, skip, jump or run through the menagerie of Gala helpers throwing coloured powder about.
7pm – Bingo at the Stags Head Hotel.
8pm – 70s Boogie Express, £5 entry at the Stags Head Hotel. Dust of your glad rags and transport yourself back in time to when the gala began. A great night of dancing with retro outfits and full energy performances. Get ready to boogie.
Tuesday August 1
10am to 2pm – Three lady team Gala Week Open £15 at Golspie Golf Club.
11am to 4pm – Golspie Heritage Exhibition. The theme for this years exhibition will be “50 years of Gala Fun”.
11am – Childrens' sports (free entry) at Golspie High School playing fields. A staple in the gala programme, and hosted by Lois Chambers.
1pm – Teddy Bears' Picnic (free entry) at the marquee, featuring “Tumbles of Fun”, soft play for nursery age and under children. Bouncy castle and exotic wildlife rescue outside for older children.
1pm – Mixed Doubles Open tennis (free entry) at the tennis courts.
2pm – Goodnight Sweetheart Cabaret show, £5 entry at the Stags Head Hotel. Taking you back along for half a century, this trip down memory lane features swing, big band and classics from 40s, 50s and 60s.
2.30pm – Car boot sale at Golspie High School playing fields or the marquee if wet (limited spaces). Cars – £10, Vans – £15, Traders - £15. No tables will be provided for this event.
6pm – Ben Bhraggie hill race (free entry) start and finish at Golspie High School playing fields. Children under 7 not advised to take part.
8pm – Casino Night at Golspie Inn. Dress your best as Vegas comes to Golspie.
Wednesday August 2
9am – Duck race (free to enter) at the Ford at Dairy Park.
11.30am – Childrens Pet Show (free entry) at the Bank House (like the old days). All creatures great and small welcome.
2pm – “Uppies v Doonies” football (free entry) from 6pm at Golspie High School playing fields. Some call it the Golspie Derby, we call it the “Uppies v The Doonies”. A rivalry like no other, which has its roots based on an imaginary line drawn through the village.
2pm – P7 and under junior football
3pm – 13 to 15 years junior football
6pm – Over 35s football for the Hame Urquhart memorial trophy.
6pm – Under 12 silent disco (free entry) at the marquee
7pm Open Bowls competition £3 entry at Golspie Bowling Club.
8pm – 12 and over silent disco (free entry) at the marquee. A chance to get dolled up and put your glad rags on, or even wear your trackies if formal togs are not your bag. Music by resident “DJ Jazzy Jake”.
7.30pm Pub quiz by Malky followed by ceilidh music £3 entry at the Stags Head Hotel. Exercise your grey matter with a pub quiz from our ever popular quiz master Malky.
Thursday August 3
10am to 2pm – Gala Week Open mixed foursomes. Entry fee for members £15, visitors £25.
11am – Bonniest Baby (free entry). To be judged by Ruth Sawyers.
2pm – Kids' talent show and bean eating competition (free entry) at the marquee. A unique chance for the pushy parents to showboat their kids talent. Entrant names to be supplied to Eilidh Jones by August 1 (sports day).
7pm – “Bingo Loco” £25 to enter at the marquee. A twist on normal bingo, win a holiday for 2 to a European destination. A unique blend of boozy bingo, pulsating bingo raves, and good old-fashioned fun. Strictly No Under 18s, and ID will be required
Friday August 4
9am – Open angling competition £3 entry fee at Loch Lundie – assemble at rear of Stags Head Hotel.
6.15pm – Fancy dress competition collection competitors and decorated floats assemble at the marquee
7pm – “Mardis Gras” parade of floats and fancy dress. Follow the parade along the main street to the King George V playing fields where the prize giving and silent disco will take place.
10.30pm – Grand fancy dress dance £15 entry fee at the marquee. Live Entertainment from Celtic Rock behemoths “Rhythm N Reel”. Strictly No Under 16s, and ID will be required
Saturday August 5
11am – Looney Dook at Golspie Pier. Clear off the cobwebs with a refreshing dip in the North Sea. Children must be accompanied by adults.
12pm – Golspie Gala Hair of the Dog Hoe Down Free Fun day at the marquee. Calling all cowboys and cowgirls, dust of your cowboy boots and stetson hats for the last shootout at the marquee corral. Bucking bronco, a lassoo competion and line dancing, featuring live music by Calum Campbell.
7pm – Grand finale massed pipes & drums collection parade through the main street starting at the rear of the Stag’s Head to Golspie High School playing fields. Featuring: Sutherland Caledonian Pipe Band, Sutherland Schools Pipe Band Inverness British Legion Pipe Band,Thurso Pipe Band Wick Pipe Band, Rendall Pipe Band. All other visiting pipers and drummers welcome to take part
10pm – Grand finale dance to “Dark Horse”. £15 entry fee at the marquee. You’ve had the fancy dress night, now it's time to get back on your horse. Strictly no under 16s, and ID will be required.
Sunday August 6
10am to 2pm – Gents Gala Open at Golspie Golf Club. Entry for members £10, visitors £25.