Aboyne Highland Games 2022 is on!

By
John Slavin
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0
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•The massed bands at the start of the 2019 Aboyne Highland Games • Photo: Harry Scott (Deeside Camera Club)

Organisers have confirmed that Aboyne Highland Games will be held on Saturday, August 6, on the Village Green, Aboyne.   It will mark the first time since 2019 that the games has been staged, after being cancelled for the past two years due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Featuring solo piping, pipes bands, fiddle competitions, Highland dancing, light and heavy athletics, tug o’ war and a hill race. Aboyne Green will come to life with a packed programme of 95 traditional events. 

It was a great day in Aboyne today for Kyle Cameron, Callum Brown and John Dew.
•Kyle Cameron, Callum Brown and John Dew had a great day at the Aboyne 2019 games

In 2019 John Dew won the Open Piobaireachd event, and the rest of the results were:

Ceòl Mòr

  1. John Dew Rory McLoude’s Lament
  2. Jonathon Simpson Lament for the Viscount of Dundee
  3. Allan Russell The Vaunting
  4. George Taylor MacGregor’s Salute
  5. Jack Taylor Mary’s Praise
    Judges: Malcolm McRae, Stuart Samson and Bill Wotherspoon

March 

  1. Allan Russell;
  2. Callum Brown;
  3. Gordon McCready;
  4. Jonathon Simpson.

Strathspey & Reel 

  1. Gordon McCready
  2. Callum Brown
  3. Allan Russell
  4. George Taylor and John Dew
    Judges: James Hamilton and Logan Tannock

Hornpipe & Jig

  1. Calum Brown
  2. George Taylor
  3. Greig Canning
  4. Gordon McCready
    Judges: James Hamilton and Logan Tannock

Under 18 Ceòl Mòr

  1. Kyle Cameron Battle of Auldearn No. 1
  2. Christopher Happs Battle of Auldearn No. 2
  3. Liam Brown Field of Gold
  4. Ally Williams Cabar Feidh Gu Brath
    Judges: Lewis Barclay and Duncan Watson

MSR

  1. Kyle Cameron;
  2. Christopher Happs;
  3. Ewan Allen;
  4. Jake Roberts.
    Judges: James Hamilton and Logan Tannock

Although the Games was not held during the past two years, the organisers moved the solo piping and fiddle competitions online.  It proved popular, with the number of competitors submitting entries being higher than in recent years at the games, and musicians from around the world taking part. Ian K. MacDonald picked up three first prizes at Aboyne online in 2021, winning the Piobaireachd, Strathspey & Reel, and Hornpipe & Jig events, with Bruce Gandy winning the March.

Alistair Grant, chairman of Aboyne Highland Games, said: “We are pleased to announce the return of Aboyne Highland Games for 2022.  The event means a huge amount to the local community, and we are grateful for all the support they show us.  The games’ role as a gathering place where people can meet up with family and friends will be more important than ever.”

Registration is not yet open, but further information can be found at www.aboynegames.com.