I WAS so delighted when I woke up on Saturday and saw the sun was shining. It was the day of the Helensburgh and Lomond Highland Games, and I was so looking forward to attending as a guest of the Games committee.

I had spoken with the chair, Sephton MacQuire, earlier in the week, and I know he was worried at the weather forecasts predicting that thunder and lightning were a strong possibility for Friday and Saturday.

I go to the Games most years, and have many happy memories of times spent with family, friends and strangers. I remember the year my nephew won a race – he was only 12, and couldn’t believe his luck when he discovered that the prize was not a cup, but a substantial amount of money.

He is now 18 and this summer will be heading off to university. He is still running, still highly competitive, though these days he is either running with or towards a rugby ball.

My husband often runs the hill race up Tom na h-Airidh. A Glasgow runner won the race this year in a time of about 36 minutes, impressive in the sweltering heat – though perhaps even more impressive was the American competitor who ran the race in a kilt and only managed to lose himself once.

Andy McGregor had come over from Los Angeles with his dad to take part in the amateur games, winning some of the rounds. When I spoke with him afterwards, as he watched the professionals compete, he said that he had loved the experience of being part of this tradition, and to be able to come to Scotland to participate was great.

It was his first time in Scotland and he had only come for the Games – and not just any Games, but he had chosen to come to the Helensburgh and Lomond Games in particularly, as they have a good reputation.

Walking around the field you could see that visitors were clearly enjoying themselves. From listening to the Helensburgh Clan Colquhoun Pipe Band, to watching the young wonderful Highland dancers, who seemed to create a rainbow of tartan across the stage as they danced in their colourful kilts and velvet jackets.

Later in the afternoon a team of French rugby players announced their arrival by singing La Marseillaise, as loud as they could to attract attention, which they did, all dressed in black and white striped French style tops, kilts and ‘see you Jimmy’ hats.

Thank you to the organisers of this event, past and present, for all the happy memories you bring people near and far.