A KELLOHOLM-born minister has been named as the tenth Chieftain of Cumnock Highland Games.

This August, Reverend John Paterson will lead the Games’ Parade and officially open the annual event, now established as one of the biggest days out in the East Ayrshire calendar.

The honour comes in the Reverend’s 20th year as Minister of Old Cumnock Church, now linked with Lugar, and will see Mr Paterson lead a parade of pipe bands from The Square to Broomfield Park before ceremonially 'Calling the Clans’ and declaring the Games open.

Cumnock’s ninth annual highland games will bring together highland heavies events, pipe bands, highland dancing and entertainment. Each year a new Chieftain is selected by the organising committee, with the honour bestowed on individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the communities of Cumnock and surrounding areas. Last year, in a break with tradition, two Chieftains were selected – local businessman Christopher Ross and Cumnock football legend Billy 'Bongo’ Smith MBE – thus making Rev Paterson the Games’ 10th Chieftain.

Games Secretary Jim McMillan explains: “Unlike many other Highland Games who have a hereditary Chieftain, here in Cumnock we award the honour each year to individual who have made an outstanding contribution to our town and community.

“Reverend Paterson has been an active member of the Cumnock and Lugar communities for twenty years now, not only as parish Minister but also as a volunteer, and we are delighted he has agreed to be our Chieftain.” Born in Kelloholm, where he attended school before Sanquhar and Dumfries Academies, John Paterson studied at Stirling University, The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst where he was distinguished as Cadet of the Year, and St Mary’s Divinity College at St Andrews University where he was awarded the Samuel Rutherford prize for theology.

Through missionary work, military service and educational work, Rev Paterson spent many years working overseas. He is a former Chieftain of the Caledonian Society and has been involved in the international Scout movement and Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. He has also served as Hospital Chaplain at Holmhead and East Ayrshire Community Hospitals, and was Moderator of the Presbytery of Ayr.

Cumnock Highland Games takes place on Sunday August 24, with the parade leaving The Square at 12.30pm.

This year also sees the return of Cumnock Highland Tattoo, an evening of music, spectacle and fireworks also at Broomfield Park on the evening of Saturday August 23. Entry to each event is £5 per person