US WOMAN TAKES HISTORIC FIRST PLACE AT LOCHCARRON HIGHLAND GAMES

US woman takes historic first place at Lochcarron Highland Games

A Californian competitor on a “bucket list” trip to Scotland lifted the first ever heavy event trophy for women at this year’s Lochcarron Highland Games.

Women competed in the heavy events at the games for the first time last weekend after a leading salmon producer provided sponsorship to launch the competition.

Bakkafrost Scotland is the headline sponsor of the games and has supported the men’s heavy events for several years.

This year, its backing enabled the introduction of women’s heavy events, including the hammer throw and shot putt.

Rachel Tice, 33, from Yuba City, California, took first place, throwing the hammer 80ft.
Claire Wallace, 52, from Tain, came in second, while Rachel’s friend Heather Paddock, from California, took third place.

In the men’s heavy events, Jamie Gunn from Halkirk claimed the top spot, as well as a ground record in the weight for distance event.

Sinclair Patience from Tain took second place, while third went to Lochinver’s John McLeod.

Primary school teacher Rachel said that before arriving at the games site at Attadale Estate in Wester Ross, she had not realised the women’s heavy events were being held for the first time, and being part of it was a “lovely surprise”.

She said: “I’ve wanted to visit Scotland for a number of years and thought what an amazing bucket list thing it would be to take part in the games.

“It was just a wonderful experience. The thing that overwhelmed me the most was that sense of culture. It’s called the friendly games. I felt uplifted by the community.

“The crowd was wonderful, cheering us on and being supportive. People were telling us the crowd loved seeing the women compete as well.

“We wanted to get up into the Highlands and experience the community. What I’ve loved being involved in the Highland games community back in the States, is the sense of community in the sport.
“I don’t think we could have picked a more amazing setting, and we found the exact same sense of community at the Lochcarron Highland Games.”

Having competed in shot putt and wire hammer at university, Rachel began taking part in Highland games in 2019, and last year was her first full season when she competed in five games in the US.
She paid tribute to the “tonnes of work” done by the Highland Heavies Squad who, along with Bakkafrost Scotland, were key in setting up the women’s heavy competition.

The new competition, held at the games on Saturday July 18, was created following a skills demonstration by Claire Wallace and fellow squad members, Jackie Sears, 50, from Edderton, and Angie Grant-Omotosho, 55, from Dornoch, at last year’s games.

They founded the Highland Heavies Squad in 2024, with their initial training involving throwing boulders from the beach as makeshift shot putts and a broom with trousers tied around it and filled with weights as a stand in hammer.

All the money raised at the games goes to support local community groups.

Claire Wallace said:
“What a fantastic day Lochcarron Highland Games. It truly is ‘The Friendly Games’.”
“Thank you so very much for holding competitive ladies heavies events for the very first time. It was a pleasure to be part of the occasion.

“We’re absolutely delighted that Bakkafrost Scotland expanded their sponsorship to cover both the men’s and the women’s events, it wouldn’t have happened without them.”

Joanna Macpherson, Chair of Lochcarron Highland Games Assocation, said:
“We were so fortunate to have the female heavies team taking part in the Lochcarron Highland Games for the very first time this year.

“It marked a fabulous step forward in the traditions of our event and showcased the very best of talent in this wonderful sport. The professionalism, sportsmanship and level of enthusiasm was a joy to see.
“Key for us was ensuring equal prize money for both the men’s and women’s heavy competitions, and we are enormously grateful to our headline sponsor, Bakkafrost Scotland, for making this possible – we couldn’t have done it without them.”

David Blair, area manager at Bakkafrost Scotland, said:
“We’re delighted to have played a key role in Lochcarron HIghland Games hosting a ladies’ heavy competition for the first time, through our increased sponsorship of the event.

“It’s clear to see the ladies and the crowd had a great time, with even the weather playing ball.
“As a local employer across the west coast of Scotland, we’re proud of our longstanding headline sponsorship of the games, reflecting our commitment to supporting the communities where our employees live, work and thrive.“

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Main Image © Bakkafrost