Its game on at Luss
Jennifer Foulds • Published 9 Jul 2010 09:30
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RUNNERS, strongmen, ice-cream slurping youngsters - and even a French film crew - arrived at Luss Highland Games on Saturday.
The sun shone - mostly - and people arrived in droves to watch the Games, take part in them, and make the most of the stalls and delicious smells coming from the food vans.
The Luss Games will also feature in a special French TV programme, which celebrates sport from all over the world.
French television presenter Manuel Herrero and cameraman Artur Cemin, from Paris, followed around heavyweight John Lister, from Dumbarton, as part of their UK episode, and Manuel was thrilled to don a kilt and take part in some of the events, including throwing the hammer and tossing the sheaf.
The programme is called The New Explorers featured on Canal Plus, and the pair were filming their fourth season.
Manuel said: "I really wanted to come to Scotland and being here today is a lot of fun.
"I've travelled all over the world presenting this programme from Mongolia to India and the South Pacific.
"I have to try every sport and see how difficult it is.
"I think I did quite well on the hammer but I don't really have the physique for this sport.
"It is a part of Scottish culture and the people here are very passionate about it.
"I love doing this programme because I'm very passionate about sports, it is a field to play with and it is interesting to find out about all the different sports unique to different cultures."
People travelled from all over to watch the games.
Cardiff couple Margo and Mansel Squire, who holiday in the area often, said they were lucky enough to catch the Games this year.
Mansel said: "This is the first time we have been to Luss Highland Games even though we have visited before.
"We used to live in Scotland and used to take our children to highland games when they were small." The Games were in full swing all day from cycling events to tossing the caber and highland dancing.
It was a special day for Greenock man Tommy Armstrong who took part in the 3pm Hill Race - because at last year's Luss Games he ended up racing up the wrong hill.
Tommy, who was dressed as a clown, does 54 runs a year and fundraises for charities.
He told the Advertiser: "Somebody sent me up the wrong hill last year so I'm hoping to find the right one today.
"Last year I was last to go out and there was a policeman at the end of the route.
"He told me to go straight through and I should have turned left.
"I found out afterwards and there was a couple coming down and they said 'you're on the wrong hill'.
This article appeared in Helensburgh Advertiser 08 Jul 10
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