Piping up at Games
Published 8 Aug 2012 14:45
UP to 200 pipers and drummers will take to the streets of Cumnock later this month when the town's Highland Games put on what is set to be the event's biggest parade to date.
On Sunday August 19, eight pipe bands will march from The Square along Auchinleck Road to Broomfield Park in a spectacular 'Massed Pipe and Drums' as the seventh Cumnock Highland Games get underway.
Irvine, Kirkcudbright, Lochmaben, Millport, Isle of Cumbrae, Mauchline and Muirkirk and District, and Dumfries and Galloway Police Pipe Bands are all set to take part, making the parade the biggest - and loudest - to date.
Games Secretary Jim McMillan said: "The bands vary in size, but we estimate that we'll have as many as 200 pipes and drummers all playing through the streets of Cumnock on the day.
"It will be our biggest parade to date, and safe to say it's going to be the loudest too!"
The Parade will set off at 12.30pm and is scheduled to reach Broomfield Park around 1pm when the Games will be officially opened by 2012 Chieftain Colin Chisholm.
Meanwhile, Cumnock Highland Games are to welcome competitors from across the world.
Highland dancers will be travelling from as far afield as Canada, whilst the Men's Heavies will see New Zealand's Pete Hart and Germany's Daniel Dorrow and Christian Roggish competing against reigning Games Champion Jason Young of Tain, Neil Elliot from Glasgow, Bruce Robb from Dunfermline, Garry Hagan of Clydebank and Kyle Randalls of Grangemouth.
There will also be an international flavour to the Ladies Heavies competition as Lisa Gourlay from Ocala, USA takes on Rachel Hunter of Ayr, Lisa Blades from Ardrossan and Edinburgh's Stacey Wilson.
Cumnock Highland Games take place from 1pm to 5.30pm at Broomfield Park, Auchinleck Road, Cumnock. Entry is £5 per person.
Also on the bill this year are the Drakes of Hazzard, Alba Re-enactment, live folk music in the beer tent, stalls, funfair rides, food and more. www.cumnockhighlandgames.com
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