Our Chieftain’s Welcome from Hamish Macrae:
d the great honour of being asked to become Chieftain of the Dornoch Highland Games for years 2024 and 2025 and willingly accepted, I better give an account of who I am for the benefit of those who do not know me.
I was born in Dornoch many years ago, above the Dornoch Stores on Castle Street. My parents owned and operated a bakers and grocery shop on the premises.
I was educated in Dornoch, both at the Primary School and the Academy, followed by one year at Golspie High School.
Married to Eileen and we have two daughters, Judith and Eilidh, with their husbands Daniel and Alan who now have families of their own. Six grandchildren, Erin, Faye, Ruaridh and Robyn to Daniel and Judith,Charlotte and Harry to Alan and Eilidh.
My employment career initially was in the merchant navy, as a deck officer, working for two shipping companies over the years,Silver Line and Buries Markes. I then started working in the oil industry,onshore at the Nigg Oil Terminal in Ross-Shire. After a few years I transferredoffshore, working on various platforms and installations within the BP group.
Retired from work in 2010 and have never been busier.Never a day goes past without something in the diary, be it golf related,fishing, curling or family. I enjoyed being Captain of Royal Dornoch and continue to serve the club as one of the Vice-Presidents.
Dornoch born and bred the Dornoch Highland Games has always featured in my life, competing in the local races when growing up and as an adult meeting up with friends who return to the area annually for the Games.Latterly, I have assisted with the marking out of the field and judging the heavy events, both local and open competitions.
One of the duties of the Chieftain is to mingle with the spectators and competitors on the day, so with every good fortune we will meet on the 2nd of August 2024 at the Meadows Park Dornoch, looking forward to it.
Hamish
