Picture special: Crowds turn out for Burntisland Games

Cllr George Kay welcomes visitors from Flekkefjord, Norway, Burntislands twin town, and meet the King Lucas Brown & Queen Sophie Brown. All pics: FPA.

Good weather drew large crowds to Burntisland's Links for 'one of the best' annual Highland Games on Monday.

And it was an extra special day as it also celebrated Burntisland’s 70 year links with the Norwegian town of Flekkefjord, with a group of five young people as well as the Mayor and diginitaries visiting town.

The day kicked off with the traditional Exiles Reception held in the town’s Burgh Chambers. Former residents meet up every year to celebrate their roots with a civic reception hosted by Jim Leishman, Fife’s Provost. And this year saw people from as far afield as South Africa and Australia making the trip home. There were around ten “exiles.”

The party, led by Burntisland Pipe Band and the town’s King, Queen and Royal party, paraded along the High Street to the Links for the opening of the 364th Games and the oval arena which hosted runners, sprinters and cyclists from around the country.

The heavy events attracted entrants from further afield, with regular Matt Vincent from the USA and Sebastien and Lucasz Wenta from Poland competing. There was also a bumper entry for the Highland Dancing categories.

David Jeffrey, chieftain, who has been unwell and whose place was taken on the day by Stuart Nicol, said: “It was a great day. We were surprised both by the number of entrants and spectators who came along. We had help from employees from the TSB bank in Dunfermline as part of their volunteering scheme which was greatly appreciated. Everything came together really well.”

For full results see page 52 of this week’s Fife Free Press.

There were a record number of entries in the highland dancing