Am Bratach No. 214
August 2009
editor@bratach.co.uk

Durness Highland Gathering 2009

“I really enjoyed the walk from the square to the park, with all the chieftains,” said Lachlan Ross from Kinlochbervie, chieftian of the 2009 Durness Highland Gathering, as he spoke to the assembled company on what started out as a very wet day. “We had a grand blether on the way, but as we approached the field, apart from the band, there appeared to be nobody about; so I thought, this is classic case of too many chiefs and not enough Indians!”

Soon the sun was shining, the crowd swelled and there were smiles all round, for, as Mr Ross said: “We all know that this is the so-called Homecoming Year of the Scottish people, but Durness, on the other hand, has a homecoming every year. And the people with Durness connections from near and far make a special effort to come home for the games. It’s a great occasion for family get-togethers and also for renewing old and making new friendships.”

American Sam Grammer, above, won both open hammer events while his girlfriend Kate Mason caused something of a sensation in the heavy division by competing head on with the men. Sam, who has just turned professional in the States, said: “This is my first visit to Scotland and I’m loving it.”

Kate, also from the USA, began competing in the heavy events about three years ago. she said: “I do all the events, just like the men — I manage to inspire some guys to throw a little further and get ahead of me." As well as Durness, Kate competed at Inverness, Stonehaven and Burntisland.

Afterwards, games secretary, Yvonne Mackay, told us: “The gate and dance numbers were all well up on 2008. We had a big number of heavy competitors this year which saw the competition go on until around 5.30pm. We also had a good number of athletes from all over the world and also a good number of dancers. Piping numbers were small but that seems to be the norm everywhere which is a shame.

“Lachlan was an excellent and popular Chieftain and I think thoroughly enjoyed the day.”

Below are the full results, as provided by the games committee.:

PIPING - Open Senior
1. Piobaireachd 1st Martin Kessler, Germany
2nd David Bisset, Conon Bridge
3rd Ross Shand, Inverness
4th Ainsley Hart, Australia

2. March 1st Martin Kessler, Germany
2nd Ross Shand, Inverness
3rd Ainsley Hart, Australia
4th David Bisset, Conon Bridge

3. Strathspey & Reel 1st Martin Kessler, Germany
2nd Aaron O'Neil, Australia
3rd Ross Shand, Inverness
4th Ainsley Hart, Australia

4. Jig 1st Martin Kessler, Germany
2nd Ainsley Hart, Australia
3rd Ross Shand, Inverness
4th David Bisset, Conon Bridge

JUNIOR PIPING - under 15 years
5. March 1st Conal McDonagh, Poolewe
2nd Hannah Macdonald, Bettyhill
3rd Gregor Couper, Ullapool

6. Jig 1st Hannah Macdonald, Bettyhill
2nd Conal McDonagh, Poolewe
3rd Gregor Couper, Ullapool

JUNIOR PIPING - 15 years - under 18 years
7. March 1st Conal McDonagh, Poolewe
2nd Norman Gillies, Ullapool
3rd Keith Baxter, Thurso
4th Johnathan Osbourne, Ullapool

8. Strathspey & Reel 1st Keith Baxter, Thurso
2nd Norman Gillies, Ullapool
3rd Conal McDonagh, Poolewe
4th Hannah Macdonald, Bettyhill

PIPING UNDER 18 years
9. Piobaireachd 1st Norman Gillies, Ullapool
2nd Conal McDonagh, Poolewe
3rd Hannah Macdonald, Bettyhill

10. Jig 1st Norman Gillies, Ullapool
2nd Hannah Macdonald, Bettyhill
3rd Keith Baxter, Thurso

New Prize for youngest Piper Gregor Couper, Ullapool

HIGHLAND DANCING - Premier Dancers
12 years and under
11. Highland Fling 1st Melissa Fife, Inverness
2nd Tracey McNaught, Inverness
3rd Rebecca Paterson, Thurso

12. Sword Dance 1st Melissa Fife, Inverness
2nd Rebecca Paterson, Thurso
3rd Tracey McNaught, Inverness

13. Sean Truibhas 1st Melissa Fife, Inverness
2nd Rebecca Paterson, Thurso
3rd Tracey McNaught, Inverness

14. Lilt 1st Melissa Fife, Inverness
2nd Rebecca Paterson, Thurso
3rd Tracey McNaught, Inverness

15. Hornpipe 1st Melissa Fife, Inverness
2nd Rebecca Paterson, Thurso
3rd Tracey McNaught, Inverness

13 years - 15 years
16. Highland Fling 1st Emily Macdonald, Dingwall
2nd Eilidh Paterson, Thurso
3rd Rhona Stark, Inverness

17. Sword Dance 1st Emily Macdonald, Dingwall
2nd Eilidh Paterson, Thurso
3rd Rhona Stark, Inverness

18. Sean Truibhas 1st Emily Macdonald, Dingwall
2nd Eilidh Paterson, Thurso
3rd Rhona Stark, Inverness

19. Lilt 1st Emily Macdonald, DIngwall
2nd Eilidh Paterson, Thurso
3rd Rhona Stark, Inverness

20. Jig 1st Emily Macdonald, Dingwall
2nd Eilidh Paterson, Thurso
3rd Rhona Stark, Inverness

16 years and over
21. Highland Fling 1st Darra Wood, Tain
2nd Jennifer McNaught, Inverness
3rd Lauren Reid, Dingwall
4th Heather Mackay, Arizona USA
22. Sword Dance 1st Darra Wood, Tain
2nd Lauren Reid, Dingwall
3rd Jennifer McNaught, Inverness
4th Heather Mackay, Arizona USA

23. Sean Truibhas 1st Darra Wood, Tain
2nd Jennifer McNaught, Inverness
3rd Zoe Anderson, Halkirk
4th Heather Mackay, Arizona USA

24. Jig 1st Darra Wood, Tain
2nd Lauren Reid, Dingwall
3rd Jennifer McNaught, Inverness
4th Zoe Anderson, Halkirk

25. Hornpipe 1st Darra Wood, Tain
2nd Lauren Reid, Dingwall
3rd Jennifer McNaught, Inverness
4th Heather Mackay, Arizona USA

HEAVY EVENTS
26. Putting Light Shot - Open 1st Bruce Robb, Fife
2nd Scott Thomson, Aberdeen
3rd Christoph Wand, Canada
4th Neil Elliott, Helensburgh

27. Putting Light Shot - Confined 1st Hugh MacLellan, Laid
2nd Marty Mackay, Durness
3rd Allan Andrews, laid

28. Putting Heavy Shot - Open 1st Bruce Robb, Fife
2nd Scott Thomson, Aberdeen
3rd Murray Gunn, Halkirk
4th Neil Elliott, Helensburgh

29. Throwing Light Hammer - Open 1st Sam Grammer, USA
2nd Murray Gunn, Halkirk
3rd Bruce Robb, Fife
4th Christoph Wand, Canada

30. Throwing Light Hammer - Confined 1st Hugh Maclellan, Laid
2nd Marty Mackay, Durness
3rd Stephen Mackinnon, Durness

30a Throwing Light Hammer under 18 - conf No competitors

31. Throwing Heavy Hammer - Open 1st Sam Grammer, USA
2nd Murray Gunn, Halkirk
3rd Bruce Robb, Fife
4th Neil Elliott, Helensburgh
32. Throwing Heavy Hammer - Confined 1st Marty Mackay, Durness
2nd Hugh Maclellan, Laid
3rd Stephen Mackinnon, Durness

33. Throwing Weight for Distance - Open 1st Bruce Robb, Fife
2nd Christoph Wand, Canada
3rd Murray Gunn, Halkirk
4th Sam Grammer, USA

34. 56lb Weight for Distance - Open 1st Bruce Robb, Fife
2nd Murray Gann, Halkirk
3rd Sam Grammer, USA
4th Christoph Wand, Canada

35. Putting the Shot, boys 13 - 15 confined 1st Willem Stewart, Laid
2nd Nathan Kish, Kinlochbervie

35a. Putting the Shot, 15 - 18 yrs confined No competitors

36. Weight Over Bar - Open 1st equal - Bruce Robb, Fife
1st equal - Sam Grammer, USA
2nd Christoph Wand, Canada
3rd Scott Thomson, Aberdeen

37. Tossing the Caber 1st Neil Elliott, Helensburgh
2nd Bruce Robb, Fife
3rd equal - Murray Gunn, Halkirk
3rd equal - Christoph Wand, Canada
3rd equal - Sam Grammer, Canada

TUG O' WAR
38. Tug o'War - Mens 1st The Games Team
2nd Superawesome

39. Tug o' War - Ladies 1st The Ladies

TRACK & FIELD EVENTS
100 yards
40. Open Mens (16+) 1st Craig Spargo, Caithness
2nd Sam o'Kane, Caithness
3rd Donald Morrison, Durness
4th Martin Slaven, Glasgow

41. Confined Mens (16+) 1st Donald Morrison, Durness

42. Open Ladies (16+) 1st Eilidh Fife, Forres
2nd Rebecca Ridgway, Ardmore
3rd Moraig Lyall, Forres
4th Karri Houston, Kinghorn

43. Boys 13 - 15 yrs 1st Willem Stewart, Laid
2nd equal - Joe Gilles, Glasgow
2nd equal - Nathan Kish, Kinlochbervie
3rd Lewis Lyall, Nairn

44. Girls 13 - 15 years 1st Eilidh Fife, Forfar
2nd Erin Kish, Kinlochbervie
3rd Rhona Stark, Inverness

45. Boys 10 - 12 yrs 1st Alistair Stark, Inverness
2nd James Flett, Scourie
3rd Grant Henderson, Airdrie

46. Girls 10 - 12 yrs 1st Francesca Walters, Cornwall
2nd Emily Fyfe, Forfar
3rd Bath Ballantyne, Arnisdale

47. Boys 8 - 9 yrs 1st Robbie Allan, Dornoch
2nd Adam Alan, Dornoch
3rd Derek Morrison, Durness

48. Girls 8 - 9 yrs 1st Eilidh Ross, Acharachle
2nd Andrea Wood, Gairloch
3rd Natasha Bryan, Golspie
4th Beth Mackinnon, Durness

50 yards
49. Boys 5 - 7 yrs 1st Connor Wilson, Kinghorn
2nd Dillon Morrison, Durness
3rd Nathan Corbett, Durness

50. Girls 5 - 7 yrs 1st Eloise Gray, East Linton
2nd Nicole Henderson, Airdrie
3rd Alice Fyfe, Forfar

51. Toddler's race (under 5) 1st Brodie Gray, East Linton
2nd Jake McLaughlan, Kinghorn
3rd Sam Bryan, Golspie

220 yards
52. Open Mens (16+) 1st Craig Spargo, Caithness
2nd Hector Cook, Edinburgh
3rd Laurent Stephenson, Bucks
4th Martin Slaven, Glasgow

53. Confined Mens (16+) 1st Donald Morrison, Durness

54. Ladies (16+) 1st Eilidh Fyfe, Forfar
2nd Rebecca Ridgway, Ardmore
3rd Moraig Lyall, Forres
55. Boys 13 - 15 yrs 1st Willem Stewart, Laid
2nd Nathan Kish, Kinlochbervie
3rd Lewis Lyall, Nairn

56. Girls 13 - 15 yrs 1st Erin Kish, Kinlochbervie
2nd Conny Hurley, London
3rd Anna Costelloe, London

57. Boys 8 - 12 yrs 1st James Flett, Scourie
2nd Struan Kish, Kinlochbervie
3rd Alistair Stark, Inverness

58. Girls 8 - 12 yrs 1st Francesca Waters, Cornwall
2nd Beth Ballantyne, Arnisdale
3rd Emily Fyfe, Forfar

440 yards
59. Open 1st Craig Spargo, Caithness
2nd Sam O'Kane, Caithness
3rd Donald Morrison, Durness
4th Willem Stewart, Laid

HIGH JUMP
60. Open 1st Hector Cook, Edinburgh
2nd David Laing, Dorset
3rd Craig Spargo, Caithness
4th Sam O'Kane, Caithness

61. Boys 12 - 16 yrs 1st Taylor Mackay, Kinlochbervie
2nd Willem Stewart, laid
3rd equal - Lewis Lyall, Nairn
3rd equal - Nathan Kish, Kinlochbervie

62. Girls 12 - 16 yrs 1st Eilidh Fyfe, Inverness
2nd Francesca Waters, Cornwall
3rd Emily Fyfe, Forfar

63. Ladies 1st Eilidh Fyfe, Inverness
2nd equal - Conny Hurley, London
Beatrice Travis, Switzerland
Anna Costelloe, London
Kate Mason, USA

LONG JUMP
64. Open 1st equal - Craig Spargo, Caithness
David Mackay, Ullapool
2nd equal - Hector Cook, Edinburgh
Phil Ihanez, USA

65. Hop, Step & Leap (Open) 1st Martin Slaven, Glasgow
2nd David Mackay, Ullapool
3rd Hector Cook, Edinburgh

66. Boys 12 - 16 yrs 1st Sam O'Kane, Caithness
2nd Willem Stewart, Laid
3rd Nathan Kish, Kinlochbervie

67. Girls 12 - 16 yrs 1st Eilidh Fyfe, Inverness
2nd Conny Hurley, London
3rd Anna Costelloe, London

68. Ladies 1st Eilidh Fyfe, Inverness
2nd Emily Macdonald, Dingwall

HILL RACE
69. Open 1st Tomas Hoadik, Czech
2nd Petr Laznika, Czech
3rd Callum McGaw, Dunfermline
4th Michael Hoult, Inverness

70. Ladies 1st Moraig Lyall, Forres
2nd Rebecca Ridgway, Ardmore
3rd Esther Styger, Swtizerland
4th Alison Wood, Kinlochbervie

71. Boys 16 and under 1st Alex Grant, Yarm
2nd Fergus McGaw, Dunfermline

72. Girls 16 and under 1st Francesca Waters, Cornwall
2nd Rebecca Bryan, Golspie
3rd Natasha Bryan, Golspie

73. 35 and over 1st Michael Hoult, Inverness
2nd Norrie Lyall, Forres
3rd Alex Sutherland, Stratherick
4th Robbie Mackay, Durness

74. 65 and over No competitors

NOVELTY EVENTS
75. Pillow Fight under 12 1st Rebecca Bryan, Golspie
2nd Anna Taylor, Windermere
3rd Fraser Macdonald, Scourie

76. Pillow Fight 12 - 16 yrs 1st Victor van der Helm, Switzerland
2nd Nicolas Arnvig, Denmark
3rd Lewis Lyall, Nairn

77. Pillow Fight over 16 yrs 1st Alexander Deresxi, Canada
2nd Richard Mackay, Kinlochbervie
3rd Simon Ramm, London

78. Egg & Spoon, Girls 5 - 7 1st Alice Fyfe, Forfar
2nd Eloise Gray, East Linton
3rd Eilidh Kettles

79. Egg & Spoon, Boys 5 - 7 1st Connor Wilson, Kinghorn
2nd Liam Flett, Scourie
3rd Sem Claes, Belgium

80. Egg & Spoon, Girls 8 - 9 1st Beth Mackinnon, Durness
2nd Natasha Bryan, Golspie
3rd Eilidh Ross, Kintyre

81. Egg & Spoon, Boys 8 - 9 No competitors

82. Egg & Spoon, Girls 10 - 12 1st Jennifer Ross, Kinlochbervie
2nd Francesca Waters, Cornwall
3rd Emily Fyfe, Forfar

83. Egg & Spoon, Boys 10 - 12 1st Grant Henderson
2nd Kieran Wilson
3rd Martin Ross

84. Egg & Spoon, Girls 13 - 16 1st Erin Kish, Kinlochbervie
2nd Merren Wallace, Leeds
3rd Lauren Anderson, Inverness

85. Egg & Spoon, Boys 13 - 16 1st Joe Gilles, Galsgow
2nd Nathan Kish, Kinlochbervie
3rd Lewis Lyall, Nairn

86. Egg & Spoon, Ladies 1st Rebecca Ridgway, Ardmore
2nd Anna Costelloe, London
3rd Kylie Houston, Kinghorn

87. Chucking the Wellie, Girls 1st Natasha Milne, Edinburgh
2nd Iona Harper, Barnsley
3rd Francesca Waters, Cornwall

88. Chucking the Wellis, Ladies 1st Kate Mason, USA
2nd Angela Mackinnon, Durness
3rd Sarah Anderson, Durness

89. Sack Race, Girls 5 - 7 1st Eloise Gray, East Linton
2nd Nicole Henderson, Airdrie
3rd Alice Fyfe, Forfar

90. Sack Race, Boys 5 - 7 1st Liam Flett, Scourie
2nd Connor Wilson, Kinghorn
3rd Euan Chapman, Milngavie

91. Sack Race, Girls 8 - 9 yrs 1st Eilidh Ross, Kintyre
2nd Natasha Bryan, Golspie
3rd Bath Mackinnon, Durness

92. Sack race, Boys 8 - 9 yrs 1st Robbie Allan
2nd Adam Allan
3rd Ross Chapman

93. Sack Race, Girls 10 - 12 yrs 1st Jennifer Ross, Kinlochbervie
2nd Beth Ballantyne, Arnisdale

94. Sack Race, Boys 10 - 12 yrs 1st James Flett, Scourie
2nd Alistair Stark, Inverness
3rd Grant Henderson, Airdrie

95. Sack Race, Girls 13 - 16 yrs 1st Anna Costelloe, London
2nd Erin Kish, Kinlochbervie
3rd Claire Boquet, China

96. Sack Race, Boys 13 - 16 yrs 1st Nathan Kish, Kinlochbervie
2nd Lewis Lyall, Forres
3rd Nikolas Arnvig, Denmark

97. Sack Race, Ladies 1st Charlotte Hurley, London
2nd Rebecca Ridgway, Ardmore
3rd Chelsey Ross, Kinlochbervie

98. Tilt the Bucket 16 & under 1st Grant Henderson & Neal Class
2nd Erin Kish & Moraig Lyall

99. Tilt the Bucket over 16 1st Gary Duncan & Amanda Keith
2nd Richard Mackay & Richard Belbin