Over 50 businesses have pledged their support of the Forres Highland Games by taking up sponsorship packages or offering ‘in-kind’ support at the event which will take place on July 2.

And the Games has attracted a host of new sponsors who have come on board with deals at Forres’ biggest one day event including from the town’s very own whisky distillery, Benromach who have made a financial contribution.

Businesses across the town have embraced the Forres Highland Games’ new sponsorship package whilst others have made donations in kind by offering use of equipment.

Mike Scott, secretary of the Forres Highland Games said the support is appreciated: “Put simply, if it wasn’t for the sponsorship or the offers of help, whether that be people giving up their time to volunteer or businesses offering the use of equipment, the Games would almost certainly not exist or at the very least, it would not go ahead in the format that it does at the moment.

“We are extremely grateful to those who are helping us and to those who have taken up sponsorship opportunities.”

Traditionally, each individual event has been the main sponsorship available at the Games and this is always hugely popular with businesses getting protective over the event they support with many coming back year on year to sponsor the same one.

But this year, the Forres Highland Games added a host of new opportunities including sponsorship of arena banners.

“The banners are a great addition and they will be displayed around our main arena so it’s a great opportunity for businesses to get their name out there. Our footfall at the last Highland Games in 2019 was just over 4000 so it’s great exposure.”

He added: “We must also thank Bill Budge from the Budge Foundation and Benromach who have  both made significant financial donations to the Games and for this we are very appreciative.”

Susan Colville, Brand Home Manager, Benromach Distillery said: “It is a great pleasure to support the Forres Highland Games as it returns for the first time since 2019. These events are a fantastic way of bringing the community together and we are thrilled to have played a part in what I am sure will be a very successful event.”

The Forres Highland Games will take place on July 2 with gates opening at 11.30am.

Joanna Taylor, a director with the Forres Area Business Association c.i.c. said events can bring huge benefits to the area: “Events such as the Forres Highland Games, Forres Fireworks, the Findhorn Bay Arts Festival, Toun Mercat and Piping At Forres bring significant benefit to the Forres area, both economically and socially.

“While the level of costs varies by event, they all need enough income to cover their costs and, hopefully, build some reserves to enable future events.  Each event may be funded in a number of different ways, including sponsorship. Sponsorship of an element of an event can not only help the organisers but indicate to the public a particular business or organisation supports that event. So, potentially, good marketing for the sponsor and beneficial to the community.”