Latest news with #HighlandGames
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Strongwoman wins title after arm-wrestle fundraising
A strongwoman who raised money to compete in international competitions by challenging customers to arm-wrestling contests in the pub where she worked has won a world title. Eve Robson, from Hurworth-on-Tees, near Darlington, became the first British woman to claim the female title at the Amateur World Highland Games Championships, which was held at the top of a mountain in Norway. The 22-year-old had been aiming for the world title since taking up the sport three years ago and achieved early success by becoming Scottish Champion in 2023. She raised travel costs by challenging men to arm-wrestling contests for £10-a-go in the Emerson Arms pub in her village, where she worked behind the bar. "I was hoping to get in the top three but to win the world title is unbelievable – I keep having to pinch myself," said Ms Robson. Events in the games include the caber toss, heavy shot put, light shot put, heavy hammer, light hammer, weight over the bar, heavy weight for distance, and light weight for distance. After two days of intense competition in the Norwegian resort of Fefor, Ms Robson had to finish in the top six in the final event – the light weight for distance – which involved throwing a metal ball attached to a chain. On her first attempt she threw the weight over the side of the mountain, and it had to be recovered. However, she sealed victory with her second throw, defeating rivals from the USA, Germany, Netherlands, and France. "I just started screaming when I won because I've worked so hard to get to the top of the sport," she said. "I was third in the World Championships in the USA last time, but I've steadily improved and got stronger, so all the training has been worthwhile. "Hopefully, what I've done will encourage more women to try the sport because it's a great discipline." Ms Robson is a member of the Teesside Throwers squad, and is coached in Middlesbrough by Highland Games veteran David Dowson. Her next competition is the Scottish Championships in Airth on 26 July. Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. More stories like this Women look like us too, say UK's strongest females 'I've won World's Strongest Woman - but I started lifting after having kids' Teenager sets new world record for caber tossing
BBC News
21-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Darlington strongwoman wins title after arm-wrestling fundraising
A strongwoman who raised money to compete in international competitions by challenging customers to arm-wrestling contests in the pub where she worked has won a world Robson, from Hurworth-on-Tees, near Darlington, became the first British woman to claim the female title at the Amateur World Highland Games Championships, which was held at the top of a mountain in 22-year-old had been aiming for the world title since taking up the sport three years ago and achieved early success by becoming Scottish Champion in raised travel costs by challenging men to arm-wrestling contests for £10-a-go in the Emerson Arms pub in her village, where she worked behind the bar. "I was hoping to get in the top three but to win the world title is unbelievable – I keep having to pinch myself," said Ms in the games include the caber toss, heavy shot put, light shot put, heavy hammer, light hammer, weight over the bar, heavy weight for distance, and light weight for distance. After two days of intense competition in the Norwegian resort of Fefor, Ms Robson had to finish in the top six in the final event – the light weight for distance – which involved throwing a metal ball attached to a her first attempt she threw the weight over the side of the mountain, and it had to be she sealed victory with her second throw, defeating rivals from the USA, Germany, Netherlands, and France."I just started screaming when I won because I've worked so hard to get to the top of the sport," she said."I was third in the World Championships in the USA last time, but I've steadily improved and got stronger, so all the training has been worthwhile. "Hopefully, what I've done will encourage more women to try the sport because it's a great discipline."Ms Robson is a member of the Teesside Throwers squad, and is coached in Middlesbrough by Highland Games veteran David next competition is the Scottish Championships in Airth on 26 July. Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
CBS News
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
"No Fame Games" brings the spirit of ancient Celtic strongman contests to Massachusetts
A Massachusetts highland games competition is bringing the spirit of ancient Celtic strongman contests to the modern day, kilts and all. At the No Fame Games in Milford, barbells and plates are replaced with stones logs and kilts are the standard dress code. Ancient Celtic competition "It's a great talking point, I say that the highland games elevator speech is that it's track and field meets strongman in kilts," said founder Joshua MacKintosh. MacKintosh started the No Fame Games as a backyard grassroots movement back in 2021 with the hopes of fostering a highland games community in the Boston area. "I felt like, wow, this is an amazing sport, it's an amazing community and seeing these athletes compete, it blew my mind," said MacKintosh. "They're so welcoming and inviting and the biggest thing that I've found is how supportive and that we all want each other to do well." The message stuck and now thanks to MacKintosh's dedication, more than 100 men, women and teenagers come out to celebrate and ancient Celtic tradition. "A sense of belonging" "So to be able to see that and to be a part of that and see the twinkle in those kids' eyes as they're lifting a stone or learning some wrestling or the tug of war that we had. To see that and to have that part of their experience in their life is, of course it's very rewarding for me but I feel like it's an amazing thing to give back to those that have come before us and to give back to the giants upon whose shoulders we stand," said MacKintosh. Eric Dawson, the owner of Titan Barbell Gym in Stoneham, is an award-winning strongman who has competed in highland games around the world. He's one of the judges at the No Fame Games and has seen its impact firsthand. "I think it provides a sense of belonging, to be honest with you, for a lot of people," said Dawson. "Maybe they don't have this sense of belonging at their work, work is a place they go and punch in and punch out and they go home. A place like this, a community like this, the gym, the community, the larger competitive strength community is a place where you can really form lifelong friendships with people and bonds." For MacKintosh, it's about so much more than seeing how far you can hurl a stone. "A rising tide lifts all boats, this is about us being stronger and getting stronger to be better to lift each other up," said MacKintosh.
Daily Record
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Tradition and ceremony packed into Dumfriesshire ROM
Annan's annual celebrations have kicked off with a bumper day ahead Halle Goodwin was crowned as Annan 's 76th Queen of the Border ... by her mum. Jade (nee: Macdonald) wore the iconic crown herself in 2003 and was thrilled to play a key role in the ceremony on the outdoor stage on the Dumfriesshire town's High Street on Friday. It was a key moment in the final countdown to Annan Riding of the Marches and Gala Day which takes place today, with thousands expected to flood into the town for the big day. Annan Riding of the Marches is hailed as one of the largest and oldest historic traditional ceremonies in South West Scotland – dating back almost 700 years – and the crowning of the Queen of the Border dates back to 1949 when Anne Weightman was the first. Halle, aged 14 and a pupil at Annan Academy said: 'It will be a privilege to represent my home town and follow in my mum's footsteps. I am also proud to be sharing this year with my little sister, Indie, who is a train bearer in the retinue. 'I am really looking forward to everything.' A member of the Annan Athletic U14 girls team and the Annandale and Eskdale U15 netball team, Halle is a long-time supporter of the ROM with her family and was the gift bearer in the royal retinue when she was a pupil at Newington Primary in 2017. It was an important evening too for her Champion, Dylan Ringland, who promised to defend her, and her retinue of lady in waiting Lily Kennedy; queen's attendants Joely Aitchison, Cassie Madden, Maddie Anderson; heralds, Merida Downie and Cadha Cole; crown bearer, Isla Nelson; gift bearer, Livvy Hawrylkiw; train bearers Shia-Rayne MacDonald and Indie Goodwin; and sceptre bearer, Jorgie Watret. Annan's civic dignitaries and representatives from various uniformed and youth organisations also pledged allegiance, including Cornet Hayden Hodgson, Cornet's Lass Kayleigh Murray and Standard Bearer Tracy Ireland – who lead today's Annan Riding of the Marches and Gala Day. There will be a gala parade, mini Highland Games, fun afternoon on Annan Academy playing field, and the evening Massed Pipe Bands. It will also be a day packed with traditions and ceremony with the checking of the royal burgh's boundaries on horseback, and a cavalcade of more than 100 horses and riders of all ages. There will also be chases at the Everholm. The ROM began at 5.30am this morning with Jamie Bryden performing the bugle call reveille ahead of the 7.45am handing over of the burgh standard and the start of the morning's boundary checking tradition. Brydekirk youngster, Brennan Sheridan, will be tasked with checking the boundary at Landhead in the historic Hole in the Hedge Ceremony. Meanwhile, judging for most humorous, most original, most artistic and most topical of the floats, small vehicles and walkers starts at Silverlaw at 11.30am – the same time as judging for the children's fancy dress entries at St Andrew's Social Club at Standalane. The big parade of public entries will leave at 12.30pm and the leading float will contain the newly-crowned Queen of the Border, and her royal retinue. With plenty of music, dancing and entertainment along the route – via Newington Road, Butts Street, Johnstone Street, Thomas Street, George Street – the parade will head to the Fish Cross to meet up with the returning Cornet and cavalcade of horses and then down the High Street for 1pm. It will be followed by an afternoon of entertainment at Annan Academy playing fields from 2pm – entry free with parents asked to donate £1 – which includes the Annan ROM mini Highland Games, which Newington Primary School's Lucy Mace will officially open after being chosen as the town's Mini Chieftain for the day. Each child will be given a free goody bag donated by Tesco Annan and Aldi. There will be the chance to forge a piece of history to go on the new Annan public art sculpture; demonstrations by the Firebird Flyball Club, Double Trouble and Fuzzy Seymour circus skills; Owl Magic, various stalls and amusements, plus music from bands Bjamba and Drum Nation. Tinkerbell and Princess will be there with Sandy and Amy from the Unicorn Experience. It will also host the biggest pipe band competition in south west Scotland with three grades, best juvenile band and drum major contests, as well as the Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway Branch Championships. A number of the bands from both sides of the border and beyond will take part in the massed pipe band presentation and closing ceremony on the High Street from 5.45pm.
The Herald Scotland
23-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Herald Scotland
Discover the charm of the Highlands at Spey Green's Heather show home
Newtonmore feels remote with its sweeping views and peaceful pace, and it's also surprisingly well connected. Just off the A9 and under an hour from Inverness, with its own train station linking directly to the Highland main line, the village offers the best of both worlds: true rural beauty, without sacrificing convenience. It's this unique combination that makes Newtonmore such a compelling place to call home. Set against a backdrop of pine forests, rivers and hills, it offers year-round access to walking and hiking routes, world-class fly fishing on the River Spey, and a rich variety of Scottish wildlife. It's also a thriving, active community, home to the renowned Newtonmore Shinty Club - one of the popular Highland sport's leading teams - as well as gardening groups, heritage events, and the lively Highland Games each summer. At the centre of the Spey Green development is the newly opened Heather show home - a beautifully presented three-bedroom detached property. It immediately sets itself apart with its bold exterior including a tiered roofline, generous glazing, and well balanced proportions that offer both kerb appeal and architectural substance. When you step inside, the full story, continues to unfold. Each room has been styled to showcase interior trends, complementing the sense of space created by the natural light flooding each room, while demonstrating how practical and stylish a modern family home can be. The spacious lounge, drenched in natural light, opens through French doors into a turfed rear garden, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor flow. The open-plan kitchen and dining area, crafted by Tulloch's long-term partners, Ashley Ann, is functional and beautiful in equal measure. Worktops, doors, and integrated Bosch appliances come as standard, offering a premium finish that's built to last. Upstairs, all three bedrooms include fitted wardrobes, and the primary bedroom boasts an en suite shower room with sleek tiling, chrome trim, and vanity units. Even the upstairs hallway has been carefully considered, with a large window and overhead Velux creating a bright, flexible area which has been styled as a dedicated work-from-home space in the upstairs landing. That same ethos runs throughout the Heather. There's storage where you need it, in the form of two generous cupboards, a practical utility room and thoughtful room layouts that make use of every inch. For families with busy lives and evolving needs, this home doesn't just look good, it works. Select upgrades have also been added including a quartz kitchen worktop, subline sink, canopy extractor, oak doors, flooring and blinds. A stylish pergola and a flexible garden room extend the living space outdoors, ideal for enjoying Newtonmore's long summer evenings and dramatic Highland views year-round. Sustainability plays a key role in the Heather too. Tulloch's use of air source heat pumps and enhanced insulation ensures high energy performance and lower household bills, a growing priority for today's buyers. Tulloch sales and marketing director, Jo McLaren said: 'The Heather is more than a beautiful home; it's a blueprint for how our customers want to live. From the quality materials and flexible layout to the energy-efficient design, every element has been carefully considered. Our goal was to create a home that feels ready to live in from the moment you step inside, and judging by the early reaction, we've done just that. 'At Tulloch, we've been building homes across Scotland for over 100 years, and our experience has taught us that great homes are about more than just bricks and mortar, they're about communities and connection. Before we officially opened the doors, we invited early buyers and local residents in for a preview, and the response was incredible. That one evening has already sparked friendships and there is plans being made for a summer street party. 'More and more people are realising the Highlands offer something truly special with a chance to live a healthy life at a slower pace, surrounded by nature, but without giving up connectivity or quality. And in places like Spey Green, people aren't just finding new homes - they're finding flourishing new communities.' Spey Green offers a range of two and three-bedroom homes, all finished to Tulloch's signature high specification. Prices start from £235,000. The sales office is open Thursday to Monday, 10.30am-5pm. For further information please call 01479 784022, email speygreen@ or visit
