They might not be in a position to take part in the Stirling Highland Games Heavyweights competition this year but on a beautiful sunny day, one the events team is hoping for more of the same on games day later this year, The Provost of Stirling and current business supporters met up on the new games field to put their weight behind this community event.
Event Organiser, Matt McGrandles explained: ‘A huge amount has changed since I took over last year as event organiser including the month, day and location of the Games. We have now aligned the Games on the last weekend of the Scottish school holidays so as we can attract a more local audience as well as encouraging more visitors to Stirling from the rest of the UK and further afield.’
Matt added, ‘We are also attracting local businesses on board who share our values in community engagement and supporting young people. To date we have Edinburgh Woollen Mill, Specsavers, Maxxium UK, Stirling Council, Eat Balanced, Stirling Chamber of Commerce, GCM Services, Scottish Youth Hostel Association and Active Stirling on board.’
One of the first matters the organisers had to deal with last year was finding a home for the Games as previously it had been held at 5 different locations over a 12 year period. After a 3 month search the organisers agreed the future home of the Games with Active Stirling’s, Chief Executive, Andrew Bain adding: “On behalf of Active Stirling, we are delighted to be supporting the Stirling Highland Games 2014 event and help with preparation of the outdoor area where the games will take place at Stirling Sports Village.”
The event is growing in interest with enquiries coming weekly from the US, Canada, Germany and Ireland and as one of Stirling’s key annual events as well as a Homecoming Scotland 2014 event the organisers are still looking to speak with more businesses on how they can be part of it. Susanne Akil, store director of Specsavers Stirling, added: “Specsavers Stirling is committed to supporting the local community and over the years we have been involved with a number of community groups and events. We are proud to be associated with Stirling Highland Games – it’s going to be a great event which people from the city and beyond will be able to enjoy. I do hope other local businesses are able to join us in sponsoring this fantastic community project.”
With the event looking to grow its overall reach the organisers have some great ideas on how to market it both locally as well as further afield. Look out for a camera crew heading your way in Stirling! Its not just down to some of these enterprising ideas and collaborative marketing campaigns that entice some of its supporters on board but the historical nature of the event as Maxxium UK’s Managing Director, Huw Pennell commented “As a local employer, Maxxium is delighted to support these popular and historic Highland Games which continue to go from strength to strength and remain a key date on Stirling’s busy events calendar.”
If your business would like to know more about how it can get involved then please contact Event Organiser, Matt McGrandles on matt@stirlinghighlandgames.com for more details. Or visit their web site at stirlinghighlandgames.com