ALL roads led to Wallsgreen Park, in Bowhill, on Sunday as the Highland Games season in Scotland came to a close for the year.

And Bowhill didn’t let them, or the 3,000 spectators, down!

Events kicked-off with the wreath laying ceremony at the Cardenden War Memorial, on Woodend Road, and then the Memorial at Bowhill Cemetery for those who died in the Bowhill Collery Disaster in 1931.

The service was carried out by Games Chieftain Michael Philip, Provost Jim Leishman, and Games Committee chairperson, Don Campbell.

The wreath laying ceremony at the Bowhill Highland games.The wreath laying ceremony at the Bowhill Highland games. (Image: David Wardle) The parade, led by Lochgelly High School Pipe Band, then made its way to Wallsgreen Park, with many of the village folk taking part and the extra addition of the Cardenden Scouts who are celebrating their centenary, plus the Chieftain’s ‘Guard of Honour’, 24 Vikings from the Shetland art of the Up-Helly Aa.

The Nordic influence came via Games Chieftain, popular Cardenden accordionist Michael, who enjoys going to Shetland to take part in the January Up Helly Aa festival, and when some of the island’s Vikings, who take part in the celebration, heard about the Bowhill Games, they wanted to see what happens.

Events on the park started with a bang as the first race of the day produced this year’s Scottish Sprint Champion, Allan Hamilton, from Edinburgh, fresh from his British Championship win the previous week.

This performance level continued throughout the day. Testimony to that came in the 70 metres handicap final, with four out of the six finalists being Past Powderhall Sprint winners.

Scottish Champion Cyclist, Charles Fletcher showed his class, winning three out of the four cycle races, giving up to 900 metres start in one of the races.

Cycling action at the Bowhill Games.Cycling action at the Bowhill Games. (Image: David Wardle)The school’s relay was the closest yet with St. Ninians PS just pipping Cardenden PS.

A Special “Viking Dash” was a great crowd pleaser while the heavy weights clashed right to the wire in all events in both ladies and gents open events.

The champion dancer came from Cowal Highland Games to take “Overall Best Dancer” as part of the 150 Dancers on show, while the solo piping event had a magnificent turn-out.

All events on the day had a bearing on the final placings for trophies that will be presented later in the year at the Royal Scottish Highland Games presentation dinner.

The successful youngsters from St Ninian's Primary.The successful youngsters from St Ninian's Primary. (Image: David Wardle)

Don Campbell said: “With this being the last Games of the season there were a lot of competitors looking for vital points that could win them prestigious titles so the competition was fierce.

“Of these the battle for the Fife Highland Games titles saw tremendous battles.

“Our Viking visitors had a great time and naturally were centre of attention for most of the day, and they had great fun in their race which had the crowd on their feet."