ATHLETES from around the world descended on Pittencrieff Park, Dunfermline, at the weekend to take part in the World Highland Games.

Coming from as far afield as Canada, South Africa and the United States, male and female competitors performed in a wide range of disciplines, including shot putt, heavy hammer and perhaps the most widely-recognised and enjoyed one of all, caber-tossing.

Supported by Homecoming Scotland, Fife Council, Carnegie Dunfermline Trust, and Dunfermline First, the event included Highland Dancing displays, pipe band performances and a mini Highland Games for young people to take part in, as well as more unusual elements such as welly-throwing and haggis-hurling.

Councillor Helen Law, chair of the City of Dunfermline area committee, said, “There has been a wonderful programme of events taking place in Dunfermline throughout 2014 including the Royal Scottish Pipe Band competition, the Bruce Festival and the Fresh Air Festival, and I was honoured to be asked to open this World Highland Games which took place here for the very first time.

“Pittencrieff Park is a magnificent venue and it was gratifying to see people come and enjoy such a world class event in the ancient capital of Scotland”.

Top international judge Steve Conway, who is the athletic director for the Caledonian Club of San Francisco, travelled from the United States to judge the Dunfermline event. The European Ladies’ Highlander Championship was won by Scotland’s Shaunagh Brown and the overall champion in the men’s heavyweight events was the current number-one-ranked Highland Games athlete in the world, Dan McKim, from the United States.