Welcome

Visitors to our games from overseas may not appreciate how unusual it is in Scotland to have a village green.

Over the length of Deeside there is not another. Ballater has some grass around the central church and there is a large space for activity in Banchory not far from the river but neither could be called village greens.

In England there is hardly a village without one. The reason is simple. My ancestor Charles, Earl of Aboyne, was brought up partly in England and when planning the village of Aboyne he wanted to replicate the idea of having a central open area for all villagers to enjoy - a place for children to play and a heartland to the community. We hold our annual Highland Games here every year on the 1st Saturday in August but throughout the seasons the Green of Charleston, as it is known, hosts many activities.

The wonderful Wellington trees (giant sequoia) which you can see around the green came as seeds from Canada and were planted by the 11th Marquis of Huntly in the nineteenth century. In Canada these trees live, in some cases, for more than a thousand years. Let us hope, when they die, that the Aboyne Highland Games will continue in this special historical place to provide you with a wonderful day of celebration just as we will do today.

A warm welcome to you all.

Aye,
Huntly, Chieftain of Aboyne Highland Games