Ben Richards will take on the role at the Forres Highland Games which takes place in the town’s Grant Park on July 5. 

Ben who attends Forres Academy was nominated by headteacher Jan Sinclair and he said he is looking forward to the day.

He said: “I feel really proud to have been chosen and I am looking forward to spending the day at the Games. I have not been to a Highland Games recently, so I am keen to watch and find out more about the traditional elements such as the heavy events and also the pipe bands. I have some friends in the Forres Pipe Band so it will be good to see them.”

Chieftains at Highland Games have to look the part, and Ben will be kitted out in a kilt for the occasion. He said: “I have never worn a kilt before, so that will be great too.” 

Sixteen-year-old Ben has just begun in S6 studying advanced higher maths and English and higher business and leadership. 

He said: “I really enjoy school and it’s nice that Mrs Sinclair has recognised the extra activities I do, such as helping at events in the evenings. Recently, I have been a buddy for a group of the new S1 pupils, so I am looking forward to helping them settle in when the new term starts in August. I am also applying to become a house captain.”

Outside of school Ben enjoys spending time outdoors and is a keen walker, camper, wild swimmer and paddleboarder. He also loves card games and gaming. 

He lives in Forres with his mum Joanna, dad Matt and 15-year-old brother Harry. He has an older brother Peter who is at university. 

Joanna said: “We are really proud of Ben and we are all looking forward to a great day out at the Highland Games. We were delighted when he got chosen. He is a good lad and it’s nice that his achievements both in and out of school have been recognised. Out of school, he received an award after assisting a runner who took ill at the Balmoral 10K. Ben was in the air cadets and they were acting as marshals for the run. Ben spotted the gentleman take unwell and assisted. He was later given an award for helping to save the man’s life. I think that this connection with the Forres Highland Games encouraging young people to get involved and honouring a young person in the community is a really nice thing to do.” 

Ben will join Chieftain Sandra Maclennan on the day of the Games. Sandra was chosen for the role due to her dedication to Forres in Bloom, a volunteer organisation which aims to enhance the town for residents and attract visitors to boost the local economy by providing floral displays. 

Sandra has been involved in the group since it was founded in 1990 and has played a key role in obtaining Gold medals in Beautiful Scotland and Britain in Bloom campaigns, the highlights being the award of The Rose Bowl for Scotland’s best town in 2023 and The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the equivalent to an MBE for volunteering. Sandra has been a judge for Beautiful Scotland for 20 years and has been awarded Community Champion by Britain in Bloom and the Dr Andrew Duncan Medal for Horticultural Education by The Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society.