GOUROCK HIGHLAND GAMES

NEXT GAMES - 8 MAY 2011

Welcome to Gourock Highland Games’ website, which was created and developed through funding from Event Scotland’s Regional Events Programme in 2009. The Games are organised by Inverclyde Council's Events Team, supported by other Council Services.

Gourock Highland Games was originally org

anised by a committee, who were given powers by Gourock Town Council and allocated £500 to organise the first event. In 1996, when the committee folded, Inverclyde Council, recognising the significance of the Games locally, took on board the funding and organisation. You can read more about Games past in the History Section.

Gourock Highland Games has developed a successful

programme of traditional events . We have combined this with a more innovative programme of children’s entertainers, birds of prey displays, wood carving, the spectacular Golden Lions Parachute Display Team, funfairs etc.

The Games have been cancelled only three times since 1956 due to poor weather and ground conditions - the last time being 2009.

We hope you enjoy our website, where you can find out about our history and view some photographs of our past and present.

GOUROCK HIGHLAND GAMES 2010

4,500 visitors watched as Gourock Highland Games 2010 unfolded on Sunday 9th May. 1,200 competitors, entertainers, crafters and traders took part in what was hailed by this year’s Chieftain, Morton football legend Andy Ritchie as “a fantastic and memorable occasion”.

The skirl of the pipes rang across Gourock Park, as forty four pipe bands competed in the annual Gourock Pipe Band Championship.
Scottish Power were the winners of Grade 1 and took the Gourock Traders' Association Shield.

Over eighty competitors took part in the prestigious West of Scotland Junior Highland Dance Championship, which included premier and primary events.

Nine heavyweights enthralled the crowd with their feats of stamina and strength in six events including the recently added stone lift. Former world champion Gregor Edmunds of Glasgow took the championship, breaking two ground records.

Gourock’s first Mini Highland Games saw children from Gourock’s Primary Schools taking part in a number of traditional and innovative events, which were organised by Inverclyde Council’s Active Schools Development Team.
The children took some advice from the heavyweights (left).

For full results in all of the above, see our RESULTS SECTION.

Claire Mann, Aaron Jones and Marc Duff were one of the three acts who stirred the crowds around the entertainment marquee. ‘McKinlay’ and ‘Reely Jiggered’ were the local hits and were supported by members of Onesti Irish Dance Group.

On the sidelines, children were entertained by a myriad of walkabout entertainers and workshops provided by Big Top Entertainment, whilst MRM Archery and Strathbalne Falconry added to the spectacle of the day.

“The highlight of a memorable day for me was the march past of the bands and Salute to the Chieftain, which I will never forget” said Andy, pictured left with Inverclyde's Depute Provost David Wilson.

You can see some memories of the day in our 2010 GALLERY.

Inverclyde Council, would like to thank all visitors and participants who made Gourock Highland Games 2010 such a success. We look forward to seeing you again on SUNDAY 8 MAY 2011. Haste Ye Back