SIX-FOOT-EIGHT South African, Burger Lambrechts, visited Dunfermline on Monday in advance of competing in the World Highland Games Championship that will be taking place in Pittencrieff Park on Saturday and Sunday.

Burger, who won the African Championships in Benin in 2012, will be joining many other competitors from around the world in the event, which will also feature athletes fresh from competing in this year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Starting at 12pm and lasting till 5pm each day, there will be a full programme of events on offer and entry is free of charge. The male athletes will be taking part in 10 disciplines each day and the Ladies’ Highlander Championships will consist of four events on Saturday and Sunday featuring the best athletes from around Europe. The overall winners will be crowned at the culmination of the proceedings on Sunday afternoon.

There will be children’s Highland Games events, haggis hurling open to the public to join in, a ‘Ladies’ Wellythrowing Competition’, Highland dancing demonstrations in the main arena, the ‘Donald Dinnie Stonelifting Championships’ and performances from ‘Clann An Drumma’, Scotland’s premier tribal bagpipers.

On Sunday in the Glen Pavilion more than 150 dancers from across the globe will compete in the Andrew Carnegie Anniversary Dancing Competition in a vibrant display of a much admired Scottish tradition, for which there will be an entry charge of £3 for adults and £2 concessions.

Supported by Event Scotland, Carnegie Dunfermline Trust and Fife Council Strategic Events Investment Programme, the Highland Games event has also received financial support from ‘Dunfermline First’ as part of its aim to bring events to Dunfermline. Chair of Dunfermline area committee Councillor Helen Law, who will be opening the event, said, “Pittencrieff Park is a wonderful location for an event of this stature and we are looking forward to welcoming people from far and wide to experience this truly global international event that has previously taken place in countries throughout the world including Zambia, Nigeria, Australia, the USA and Canada.

“Dunfermline is regarded by many as the home of Scottish Highland Games, as Dunfermline’s King Malcolm Canmore is credited with using competitive activities to find the strongest and fittest man in his kingdom. It’s fitting to stage this World Championship in Pittencrieff Park which includes his ancient Tower.”