The sun shone for the Forres Highland Games with record breaking numbers for attendance and solo piping and Highland dancing entries.

Over 5000 people descended on Grant Park for the 95th Highland Games with queues forming well ahead of the gates opening at 11am.

The Games were officially opened after the Forres & District Pipe Band paraded from the centre of Forres into the main arena where the official Games flag was raised.

Jim Lawther who was given the honour of being chieftain for the day said: “It has been an amazing day, I am incredibly proud. I have had a fantastic day and it has been wonderful having my family up from Yorkshire for the event. The sun shone, there was a fantastic effort from the organising team and all the volunteers.”

Jim who is a former Forres Highland Games trustee added: “After so many years volunteering, it was great to see it from the other side and really be able to see what an amazing show we put on in Forres.”

Isaac Swanson and Maddie Partington had been chosen by their guidance teachers from Forres Academy to be Junior Chieftains for the day. Sadly, Maddie was unwell and was unable to attend the event.

However, Isaac said he thoroughly enjoyed it: "It was my first Highland Games and my first time wearing a kilt. I love every minute of the day. I really liked the massed pipe bands and the heavy events."

There was record entries in the Highland Dancing and Solo Piping. 

Claire Bryce, who organises the Highland Dancing contest said: “We have received record entries for the dancing this year as we have been able to open the competition up to all sections rather than just premier dancers. Last year we had less than 20 dancers, but this year we had just under 100.

We had primary, beginners, novice and intermediate dancers too this year and the youngest primary dancer we had was five-years-old.”  

She added: “Forres is a lovely Highland Games, it’s very family friendly and as well as the dancing it also has athletics, solo piping, pipe bands and lots of different stalls.”

Scott Hay, Piping convener said: “Once again the Forres Highland Games has been a great day out. This year we have attracted some of the best pipers in the country. There was an amazing number of entries.”