Inverness Baillie Cup a success in the sun
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The biggest athletics event for primary school pupils in Scotland was a great success once again.
Bught Park hosted the Baillie Cup for the second time since restrictions were eased after the pandemic, and spectators and participants were greeted by beaming sunshine.
This will be the final time that Bught Park will host the event due to the refurbishment of grandstand, with Queens Park set to be the next venue.
It was a great outing for all spectators, who were supplied food from Harry Gow and Subway, and also had the option of ice cream from MaCone Ices.
Hundreds of pupils from across 30 schools took part in multiple track and athletics events.
New schools Ness Castle and Resolis were involved for the first time and were both fantastic additions, with all children performing admirably with smiles on their faces.
The P1 to P4 pupils from around the Highlands were divided into four sections once again and made to compete against one another.
Section 3 was won by Kirkhill.
Crown took home the trophy for Section 2.
Lochardil were presented the final trophy by former Commonwealth marathon runner Graham Laing for winning Section 1.
Colin Baillie MBE, whom the event was named after, expressed his delight for how well organised the event was and particularly praised the parents and the committee members for their involvement, but was disappointed with the lack of involvement from the schools themselves.
The Inverness athletics legend showed his appreciation for the parents of the committee whose children have grown up and left school, but have decided to stay on and help out further.
Mr Baillie added: "I would encourage all parents to get involved and continue to make these events happen, giving the children of the future more opportunity."
Elspeth Mackenzie of Kirkhill Primary School is a large part of the committee and was delighted to see all the children so ecstatic, especially after her Kirkhill pupils won the trophy for Section 3.
“It's an amazing thing to be a part of", she said.
“All the kids get something for taking part, whether that's a medal, sticker or a trophy”
Baillie Cup Chairwoman Amanda Croall was emotional to announce that this would be her final involvement with the event due to moving abroad later on in the year.
