May 29, 2002
Fife Today
Markinch Gears Up for Games
author unavailable

ALL roads lead to John Dixon Park, Markinch on Sunday for the town's annual Highland Games.

And with Hollywood movie star, Dougray Scott, the chieftain for the day, a much larger crowd than usual is anticipated.

He will be putting on his kilt to take the leading role at an event he often attended as a youngster with his mother when he lived in the Woodside area of Glenrothes.

Since then, Dougray has become an actor of international renown, and he is currently in the process of making his latest feature, the historical epic 'Cromwell and Fairfax'.

The holiday weekend for the Queen's Golden Jubilee should also provide a bumper attendance and organiser will be praying for sun.

Elsewhere, all of the country's leading strongmen will also be in attendance with the event once again featuring the British 28lb Weight for Distance Championship.

In all, the heavies will compete in seven events, including shot putt, hammer and caber.

One the track, one of the main attractions will be the Scottish 8,000 metres Cycle Championship where holder, Evan Oliphant from Wick, is expected to defend his title. He will face opposition from Glenrothes duo Darren Howitt, himself a former champion at Markinch, and ex-roadrace kingpin Graham Barclay in a contest which could see the 15-minute barrier broken for the first time.

The Blue Riband event in the athletics will be the Lomond Homes 90 metres Handicap. The race, which is held on a Chariots of Fire-type string-laned track, carries a first prize of £200.

Outwith the main arena, the highland dancing competitions will take place all afternoon as well as the solo piping competitions.

The games features the oldest pipe band contest in the country and the grand march past at the close, when chieftain Dougray will take the salute, is a spectacle not to be missed.

Children's fun races will also be held and, this year, all the younger kids taking part will receive special jubilee medals. And it is hoped that Dougray will be on hand to assist in starting off some of the races.

Away from the traditional events, there will be a whole host of stalls, sideshows and trade stands, as well as Stirling's Fun Fair.
The games get under way at 12.30 p.m.

© 2001 Johnston Press New Media