From 2020 during the Covid pandemic.
You can watch the videos here.
Volunteers from Blairgowrie and Rattray Highland Games have produced a series of short videos online to try to encourage young people in particular to find out more about the heavyweight events at the traditional event.
The move comes after the local games, which were due to take place in September, was one of hundreds of events across the country which had to be cancelled due to restrictions imposed as part of efforts to tackle the global coronavirus pandemic.
In the short films, convener of the heavyweight events at Blairgowrie and Rattray Highland Games, Pete Hart, takes viewers through each of the events, with demonstrations from young competitors who are currently being coached in the age-old tests of strength.
The videos were filmed in Glenisla where Pete lives and trains the young athletes throughout the year in preparation of a full summer of games.
Pete explained: “The Blairgowrie and Rattray Highland Games committee had to take the difficult but necessary decision to cancel this year’s event due to the outbreak of Covid-19, which although we believe it was the only right and responsible course of action we could take in the current circumstances, we appreciate was disappointing for many people.
“We therefore wanted to do something to help in any way that we could and thought that Highland Games spectators might be interested in finding out more about the events, their history, the techniques involved and what the judges are looking for on the day.
“I have been coaching youngsters for a few years now as part of a wider initiative to help ensure the future of the next generation of heavyweight competitors and some of those young people featured in the videos.
“With the videos we hope we have shown some of the techniques involved so that when we can all get back in an arena for the next Games season, hopefully next year, our spectators will get even more out of the experience - and maybe some of them will even be inspired to have a go themselves!
“And in the meantime, hopefully these films will be a wee reminder of the wonderful cultural and heritage traditions of the Games.”
Chair of the Blairgowrie and Rattray Highland Games committee, Ally Donald, thanked Pete and the young competitors for their efforts.
He said: “These are difficult and worrying times for everyone and the decision to cancel our games was not taken lightly.
“I would like to thank Pete and the youngsters for giving up their time to make these short films, they provide a good insight into what is required to become a heavyweight competitor, and all of us on the committee hope that viewers find them informative and interesting.
“We all work hard throughout the year to put on a fantastic event for everyone involved and are looking forward to welcoming folk back to a wonderful gathering in Blairgowrie and Rattray next year.”
