The 2013 Highland Games are over and what a changeable day it was - all we needed was snow to make it all seasons. But there were some lovely sunny periods as well and the crowds were great, just shrugging off the rain in the typical good Scottish way. It was again a successful games although the numbers seemed to be slightly down on the previous years due probably to other events running on the same day in the area.

The committee's thanks must go the the huge number of competitors who took part especially the school relay teams, individual runners and over a hundred Highland dancers a fantastic number including children as young as five which is wonderful to see.

The heavy weights competitors, professional and novice put on a great show for the crowds but we must not forget the primary school entrants who did so well in the morning. This year also saw competitors from Poland and Australia taking part. With what is recognised as probably the heaviest Caber in Scotland defeating even the best for that perfect throw of '12o'clock'.

In the stalls both trade and charity seemed to be busy through the day with the likes of the shooting gallery, magician, bouncy castle, climbing wall and slide proving very popular with our smaller visitors.

The recent upgrade work carried out in conjunction with the rugby club helped enormously with this year's planning. Are there lessons to be learned, of course there are but we endeavour to work these out in future planning. Important to the Games committee is thanks to our many supporters who without their help these Games could never have taken place. Firstly Argyll & Bute Council , Crawford and son, NAR, Helensburgh Auto Spares, the Commodore who have supported the Games committee though the year. Fynepax,Dumbarton, Wilson's of Rhu, Garelochhead Coaches, Helensburgh and Lomond Pipe Band, Community Advertiser, Auchentoshan Distillery, Lomond School, Martin Caldwell the Schools coordinator, Love Loch Lomond, AG Barr, ACHA, Police Scotland and a our thanks to Mr and Mrs Curley of the Buffet Shop who sponsored the Chieftain's marquee and put on such wonderful food for our VIP guests to enjoy.

Special thanks must go to our 'helpers' who worked so hard in setting up and removing of all the equipment required to hold a Highland Games over three days and the assistance of the ratings from the Royal Navy.My own thanks must go to the Highland Games committee who work so well together to plan and execute a truly great day for our community and visitors to Argyll. If I am amiss in forgetting anyone I truly apologise.

Sephton MacQuire (Chairman HLG) John Street Helensburgh