Launch of Scotland's Biggest Highland Games

9th May 2006

The ever-popular City of Inverness Highland Games at the Bught Park
Arena promises to be the biggest staged in Scotland this year. Iverness has the honour of becoming the first Highland Games in Scotland to host the Masters World Championships (MWC), the official World Championships for heavies aged over 40. And for the first time, the Inverness Games is being held over two days to host the MWC.

A record 100 heavy athletes will be in the Highland capital on Saturday 22 July and Sunday 23 July to determine which athletes are the best on the International Highland Games Masters circuit.

Nine World Championships will be at stake in nine fiercely contested age classes and the Chief Executive of Scottish Masters International, Bill Scrugg, who is based in Colorado, USA, has announced that athletes from 11 countries will compete in Inverness.

Councillor Angus Dick, Chairman of the Inverness Highland Games Committee, said: "The Inverness Games are bucking the national trend in going from strength to strength. We are absolutely delighted to be the first location outwith the US to host the prestigious Masters World Championships. It is believed that this is the biggest field of heavies ever assembled to compete in Scotland and with the Games lasting for two days instead of one this year to accommodate 72 extra MWC events, Inverness has a real chance of staging Scotland's biggest ever Highland Games this summer."

The 2006 Games programme will include:-

"Blazin in the Bught" - two concerts by Scotland's top traditional music
band "Blazin' Fiddles'

Guest Appearance by Highland Games Legend Bill Anderson of Aberdeen

Official Ceremony to induct the Class of 2006 to the Masters Hall of
Fame

Scotland's biggest Inter Clan Gathering - with 30+ Clans in the Tulloch
Clan Village

The City of Inverness Pipe Band Competition featuring 20 Pipe Bands

The City of Inverness Solo Piping Competition

The City of Inverness Highland Dancing Competition featuring 150+
dancers

The Tulloch's Traditional Music Tent Show - hosted by Andy Ross

New for 2006 - Antiques and Collectables Fair - Sunday

New for 2006 - Expanded Children's Village with Creche

New for 2006 - White Helmets (Royal Signals) Motor Bike Display Team - Sunday

Golden Lions Parachute Display Team

Expanded Traders Village - complete with 100 stalls

Charles Horne Funfair

Armed Services Display

Website www.invernesshighlandgames.com

World Championship Venue
The City of Inverness Highland Games has been selected to host the World Highland Games Championships (which is contested by the top 12 Heavies in the World) as part of the Year of Highland Culture in 2007. The World Championships will take place on July 21st and 22nd 2007.