The Invergordon Archive

Hello Pat. Your caption suggests that the Games are no longer held at the castle grounds. If this is the case its a bit sad as the Games were a very atmospheric event when I was a kid and the venue contributed a great deal to this. I will never forget the sound and sight of the marine band beating the retreat and the sound of bugles echoing through the trees.....

The games haven't been held at the Castle grounds for a long time - possibly about 10 years! They are now in the Academy playing fields and the atmosphere is nothing like that of the Castle grounds.
I remember going to the games in the Castle grounds when I was just little. It was a family event and you could spend the whole day there wondering around. Last year there were rumours that they were moving back to the Castle grounds; sadly they were just rumours.

Perhaps the people of Invergordon could press for the event to be moved back to the castle grounds......I am not from the area although I do now live very close by and when I attended the Games last year I was disappointed...it was a shaming event to Invergordon...if the people of Invergordon want their town to be the town it could be then they have to push for things to be done.

I actually only went once to the Games after they moved the venue. I always made a point of supporting the games and thoroughly enjoyed them when they were at the Castle grounds. The one time I went to the Games on the Rec I was stunned at how shabby the whole thing had become. Come on guys, let's get a Games to be proud of again.

With hindsight it is very clear that the original Games Field was quite special - a natural arena surrounded by trees, to the West all the tents and facilities, to the East, just solitary pipers finding space under the trees to tune up and practice - the echoeing of music and the enclosed feeling of an amphitheatre. What a shame that this has all gone. Locals need to campaign for a return? Who owns the land now?

I may be totally wrong but I remember when the games were moved it was said it was because the landowner (Mckenzies?) took a 'strop' and refused permission to the organisers and they had to be moved. Please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong as I would love to know the correct story.

Well said Jillian. Do you all realise that if it wasn't for a small group of dedicated Invergordoners, the Games would have ceased to be held long ago. Get off your backsides and enquire about helping with the Games!!!!!!!!!

I have worked for a local funfair outfit since the mid 1980s and the old ground was always special. When I come back to Invergordon now I'm very disapointed. We have to club together and sort things out. One day the games can be great again.
James Blair, Las Palmas, Gran Canaria.

I recall with great fondness the games being held in the Castle Grounds. That was a great atmosphere. Who owns the grounds now ??

Yes it was always grand to walk up the Castle Road to the games in the Castle Grounds. But that was when it was a nice tree-lined avenue, not the built-up area it is today. People walked, today they drive. The traffic is horrendous. Too late for the old grounds I fear.

does anybody no when the last games were held at the castle

Well the old castle ground that used to hold the games is now getting houses put on it in todays time

It was only a matter of time Graham..they call it progress..

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