by ALLAN J. MacKENZIE
The Mallaig and Morar Highland Games, set by the Silver Sands of Morar, makes its return for the 2022 season on Sunday, August 7 this year. Lovat Field in Morar will again host a full slate of piping, Highland dancing, heavy events and track and field for adults and juniors. Of particular note is the top-flight cadre of judges in all events.
Piping judges at the Mallaig and Morar Highland Games this year again includes Archie MacLean of Inverness, and of course the inimitable Iain MacFadyen B.E.M. from Kyle of Lochalsh. Mallaig and Morar are pleased to see Archie and Iain again, and are very glad to hear of Iain’s recent honour from the Queen.
Iain said: “I’ve been judging at Mallaig and Morar since the mid-1980s, and was competing there some 20 years before that in the mid-1960s.” Clearly Iain’s British Empire Medal (B.E.M.) is richly deserved, and it is always a pleasure to continue welcome him back to Mallaig and Morar. Quite probably, this year is “Iain MacFadyen B.E.M’s 55th welcome to the Mallaig and Morar Highland Gathering.”
Piping awards again this year will include the John Gillies of Bourblach Memorial Cup for Ceòl Mòr and The MacBrayne Cup for Marches. The Simon MacKinnon Trophy will be awarded to the best eighteen years and under piping aggregate winner.
This year will feature two new piping awards. Sadly, the Mallaig and Morar Games have lost two stalwart piping committee members in the hiatus endured by all. Archie Gillies of London and Mallaig, as well as the writer, Alasdair Roberts of Bracara, Loch Morar, will be honoured with trophies symbolising their years of service to the Games.
The Mallaig and Morar Games commence at 12:00 noon, and all entries are taken on the field.
More information may be seen on the Facebook page here.
