Inverkeithing: Highland Games returns for their 50th year of celebrations

Celebrating a half century since they resurrected the games, and their return after two years of COVID restrictions, the annual event will be in full swing tomorrow (Saturday).

Hank John, from the Games committee, told the Press: “It is very important to the town. It is something so very Scottish to know that a small place like Inverkeithing can run games like this that have been going on for so many centuries.

“We’re celebrating our 50th anniversary since it was started again after the war, but the games go back a long time before that and they’ve always been run by local people.”

There will be multiple track events for runners and cyclists, solo and band piping, Highland dancing and big fan favourites involving the heavy weight events such as the tug o’war, hammer and tossing the caber.

Hank continued: “It would be nice to get 4,000 people along, we’re hoping that we will get an extra good turnout this year as we haven’t had any games due to COVID for the last two years.

"The last games were in 2019 so God willing, we have good weather and everyone can come and have a great day out with their family."

With an amazing history, Hank and the rest of the committee are encouraging people to come along and keep the tradition alive.

“Hopefully it will be a wonderful day and everyone will have fun and frolics. We found a piece that was written a long time ago that described the Highland games as a day of fun and frolics!”

Free tickets for the games have been given to approximately 35 Ukrainian refugees, eight of them children, so they can come along and enjoy the festivities and get a taste of Scottish traditions.

The games will start at 11.30am with a parade from the Civic Centre on the High Street before closing at 5pm with another procession back up the street.

Tickets for the event are priced at £8 for an adult, £5 for child and concession or £20 for a family ticket – two adults and two children.

Car parking is available for £2.