The games were first held to mark the Silver Jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen in 1977 and there can scarcely have been better weather in the three decades since.

The first games were staged by the local silver jubilee committee and were so successful that some local enthusiasts got together to perpetuate the event.

Six of the founders still serve on the committee - Jim Brown, Rob Aitken, Alistair Reid, Alan Sim, John Nicol and Kenny Morgan. They have been joined by younger and enthusiastic members and the future of the games is assured.

The games turned out to be a record-breaker, with an attendance of around 4,000 surpassing all expectations.

Games Chieftain was Lady Mary Forbes of Newe, Strathdon, whose late husband, Major Sir Hamish Forbes reinforced the strong bond between Drumtochty and the Lonach Highland and Friendly Society of which he was patron.

Five pipe bands participated, Lonach, Lathallan, Towie, Newtonhill and Huntly.

There was a large entry in all competitions, with a lot of young athletes coming through in the heavy events, contrary to fears expressed a few years ago.

One athlete conspicuous by his absence was Auchenblae's own Bruce Aitken, champion of the Grampian Highland Games Circuit in each of the last ten years.

Bruce is currently injured and has not competed at all this season. He has not made any decision as regards retirement however and may yet make a comeback later this summer.

Bruce Robb of Rosyth was overall heavy events champion, beating Bruce Aitken's brother Steven into second place.

Sinclair Patience of Tain won the U25 heavy competition, winning four of the five events.

The gruelling Finella Hill Race was won by Robbie Simpson for a second successive year. Jenny Boyd was the ladies winner.

There was a full programme of youths light events for boys and girls, organised by Montrose Athletics Club.

The Highland Dancing provided a colourful spectacle at one end of the arena with the standard as high as always. Convener was Eileen Lindsay.

There was also open solo piping, children's races and a special drum major competition.