Change of helm for Nairn Highland Games as committee appoints new convener
THE COMMITTEE behind the Nairn Highland Games has appointed a new convener after long-serving chair Sandra Ross stepped down after twenty years in the role.
Long-time committee member and tourism industry stalwart Hugh Allison (62) will succeed Mrs Ross in the role of leading the committee towards the coming Nairn Highland Games in August.
Over the years he held various positions – secretary and treasurer among others and served what he called a "40-year apprenticeship" which prepared him for the role.
He said: "I feel very privileged to be able to serve the community of Nairn and this long-standing event in this way.
"During my four decades with the committee, I served under a succession of talented and inspiring conveners.
"Sandra Ross has done an absolutely sterling job of leading the games for two decades. When she decided that she wanted to take astep back I was happy that given my 40 year apprenticeship I ad the skills to relieve her of the helm."
Originally from Lochaber, Mr Allison moved to Nairn in June 1983 to work as tourism and entertainment manager with Nairn District Council, which entailed becoming a member of the Highland Games committee.
In 1996, when local government reorganised in 1996, he became Nairn cultural and leisure services manager for Highland Council continuing is relationship with the games' committee.
After leaving his post with the council in 2000, he became first National Trust for Scotland manager at Culloden Battlefield and, in 2007, he started a career as a tour guide as well as becoming a successful author of history books, the best known of which was "Culloden Tales".
In 2013 he purchased Inverness Tours with his wife, a company he has been successfully running since then.
He said that, through the 40 years the core of the event remained true to itself and true to the community in which it's held.
"The games have always been one of the two longest standing and most traditional events, and that has never changed. It's one of those events around which school reunions are planned, and when all the ex patriots come back to Nairn to meet their families. It's an integral part of the community.
"The thing that you see changing through the years is the legislative framework within which it has to be held.
"As local government comes and goes and changes, that background framework is what the committee has to work with to make the event happen.
"It's not just the case that whatever was done last year will be done next year. There is the requirement of the hard-working volunteers put their time throughout the year to try to make the event the best it can be for the people of Nairn. This requires constant Knowledge of the legislative background."
With the committee getting ready as it begins its journey towards the games in 2023, Mr Allison said they will have a number of challenges to face, among there will likely be the shape that the march parade will take in 2023 as well as sponsorship and donations against a difficult national backdrop.
"We are always looking for volunteers, both on the day and as committee members. It's a great experience and a fantastic way for new Nairnites to plug theselves into the community and culture of the town they chose to live in."
Talking about the handover, Sandra Ross (72) – who was the first woman in lead of a Highland Games committee and was chairman of the sports council for 12 yearssaid: "I know Hugh Allison very well and he will make a great convener for the games.
"He has got good organisation skills from his past work with the council. I put his name forward, and I really think it will be good to have a new input.
"I have done my time – I have been a very busy volunteer for the youth. I love the youngsters and I don't think they get enough credit.
"It's all been really good fun and I was lucky that every committee I sat on was a really good one.
"You also need new committee members but it's really hard to get people of a younger age to join, she said."
The date of the Nairn Highland Games has been confirmed for August 19 this year.
