PEEBLES Highland Games returns to Hay Lodge Park on Saturday (September 2) for its annual celebration of all things Scottish.

The popular event celebrated its 50th anniversary last year.

In addition to the three main attractions of the pipe band competition, heavy events and Highland dancing, there will be various stalls around the arena including children’s fairground rides and a craft area.

Other events include the ever popular haggis hurling and the Peeblesshire primary schools picture competition, which has been extended to include Penicuik schools this year.

The Highland dancing, which will once again be run by local dance school owner Fiona Henderson, has had 103 entries this year, with competitors able to perform in up to seven different dances.

Sixteen pipe bands have entered the draws for the pipe band competitions and eight of Scotland’s strongest athletes have entered the heavy events competition which includes the shot put, Scots hammer and the ever popular caber toss.

This year’s ceremonial Chieftain of the Games is Kevin Weir. Peebles Ex-Servicemen’s Pipe Band will lead Kevin in the Chieftain’s Walk from the Tontine Hotel, on the High Street, to Hay Lodge Park, leaving at 10.40am sharp.

Upon his arrival at the park, Kevin will be installed by 2022 Chieftain Willie Porteous, following which he will declare the Games ‘open’.

Kevin attended Kirkurd Primary School and Peebles High School before progressing onto college in Galashiels where he learned to become a motor mechanic. He subsequently served his apprenticeship at Tweeddale Motors in Peebles.

Kevin moved to Peebles in 1999 and started his own business in 2008 as Whitemoss Garage, near West Linton. He now has one part-time and four full-time employees in a busy workshop.

He met his wife, Kirsteen, in 2012, however, they only got married three weeks ago at the Shieldhill Castle Hotel near Biggar.

Many years ago, last year’s Chieftain asked Kevin if he would consider becoming a volunteer at Peebles Highland Games, which he gladly offered to do. Kevin started out helping with the car parking and gates but in recent years has sponsored the hospitality tent.

The Highland dancing and pipe band competitions start at 9.30am and 11am respectively, and run throughout the day. The heavy events, including the Scots hammer and caber take place between 12.30pm and 4.30pm. The presentation of prizes will start at around 4.30pm.

Entry is £8 for adults and £5 for concessions (OAPs, children aged five to 16, and students with valid ID). Children under five go free.

More than 1,800 tickets have been distributed via the eight local primary schools for free child entry when accompanied by a paying adult. For more information visit the Games’ website at www.peebleshighlandgames.com or its Facebook page.