A FORRES man who has volunteered his time taking photographs of a local event

Billy Laing has been given the honour of being the Forres Highland Games Chieftain at the event which will take place in Grant Park on Saturday, July 4.

Mr Laing who is Forres born and bred and lives in the town with his wife Catherine, said he couldn’t believe it when he opened the letter asking him to take on the role.

“I had to take a few seconds to take it all in,” said Mr Laing, “and I handed the letter to my daughter Sheila, and she just stood there with her mouth open. I was gobsmacked, never in my life did I consider that I would be asked to be the Chieftain.”

Mr Laing who is honorary president of Forres Camera Club has acted as an official photographer for the Forres Highland Games for many years, although there was one important Games Day that he missed.

“I can’t remember exactly how long I have been photographing the Games, but it’s been a fair old while. However, I missed the Games in 1982 and I was devastated. I had been asked to attend as the late Queen was visiting the Games and I was so looking forward to it, but not long before, I got shingles and I was off work for five weeks, so I wasn’t able to go.”

Speaking about his passion for photography, Mr Laing who has also been a Burgess of the Royal Burgh of Forres for 30 years, explained: “I think what I like about photography, is trying to get the picture that nobody else gets and seeing the enjoyment other people get out of having a moment captured.

“Photography has changed a lot, but I don’t mind digital at all. The Forres Camera Club is doing really well, and we have about 20 members. In the summer, we go out on excursions every two weeks and in the winter months we meet in the Tolbooth.”

Mr Laing will attend the Games with his wife Catherine, daughter Sheila, son in law Angus and two of his four grandchildren. He has a son, Kevin who lives in Aberdeen.

He worked in the milk industry driving tankers for the North of Scotland Milk Marketing Board, then for Moray Estates Dairies. He finished his working life as a janitor for Applegrove and Dyke Primary Schools.

He will also be known for his commitment to the Scouting movement and became the District Commissioner for Moray West.

Speaking about attending the Forres Highland Games and stepping away from handling the photography on the day he said: “I am really looking forward to the day, although I have to admit, I have never really give much thought to what the Chieftain does. I have photographed plenty of them over the years. However, the Games committee work so hard all year round, to put on a great event and they have briefed me about what my role will be and I really can’t wait.”

Mr Laing, who also volunteers with the Forres Heritage Trust and helps in the archive room and welcomes visitors to Nelson’s Tower added: “I love the atmosphere of the Games. It’s good fun and you get to meet so many people. It’ll be a lot safer being Chieftain, as I have had a few scary moments taking pictures of the heavy events over the years,” he laughed.

Fred Davidson, President of the Forres Highland Games said: “The organising committee of Forres Highland Games are delighted that Billy has accepted our invitation to be this year's Chieftain. Billy has done us proud over many decades taking our Games photos. His jovial personality behind the camera lens encourages all to embrace the enjoyment of the day.”

He added: “In choosing Billy we recognised his significant volunteering contributions to the Forres community over many years, through his work with Forres Camera Club, Forres Heritage Trust, Forres Community Activities Association and Forres Scottish Week, to name a few.” 

The Forres Highland Games is a popular event with both locals and visitors alike and last year, attracted an audience of thousands.

The Games are steeped in history and the programme will include track and field events, the 10K road race, Highland dancing, piping and field events such as tossing the caber and the hammer throw.

One of the most popular spectacles is the massed pipe bands.

Recently, the Forres Highland Games successfully introduced a number of ladies’ heavies events and unique to the Forres Highland Games is the message boys bike race where spectators can become competitors on the day.