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Announcing the Pre-Highland Games Concert!

Visit http://www.cmsoane.co.uk/page6.htm for further information

That was the week that was – three days of pleasant summer weather – Saturday 18th August, 2007 24 hours of incessant heavy rain – followed by three days of glorious summer sunshine.  Like many other events this summer Bute Highland Games fell victim to the weather, the most important element in any outdoor event and one which we cannot influence.

Despite the atrocious weather and the resultant difficult ground conditions the Games went ahead.  Cancelling the Games was not an option and was never considered.  The resilience, fortitude and the willingness of all competitors, athletes and bandsmen alike, to perform in the dreadful conditions deserve nothing but the highest admiration.

The task of the organisers, judges and officials was equally difficult.  They too deserve the highest praise and admiration.

An early and the easiest decision of a tough day was to transfer the Highland Dancing Competition to Rothesay Pavilion, an excellent indoor venue.  As usual the Pavilion staff did a super job coping at short notice with an influx of several hundred people.

While all other competitions went ahead and were successfully concluded the opening and closing ceremonies and the prize giving were curtailed.  There was no march past and the massed bands did not march down High Street into Rothesay.  All very disappointing as we had Chieftains from the last 10 years and other guests with us to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee.

Having said that and despite the continuing downpour at the end two bands did march down High Street defying the elements – St Francis, a French band and our own Rothesay and District Pipe Band led by the brothers Campbell and Neil Gillies – well done and thanks to all of them.

Our Chieftain for the day Mr Peter Timms and his wife Tish, despite being very wet and no doubt cold carried out their respective duties with grace and good humour.

In concluding I would again like to say a huge thank you to all who took part, including the 1500 spectators who came through the gates.  Despite our limited financial resources taking a severe “hit” due to the extreme weather we will do it all again next year – see you all on Saturday 23rd August, 2008.

Best wishes from all involved with the Bute Games.

Dan Edgar
Chairman