Directors of Crieff Highland Gathering Limited are delighted to announce that local
farmer and prominent businessman Stuart McLaren is to take on the prominent role.
Stuart has been involved with Crieff’s Highland Gathering throughout his life, having
helped out as a youngster when his father was a director, before serving as a director
himself for 25 years, including a stint as chairman.
During that time, Stuart worked mostly with the heavyweights and also did the commentary.
Stuart remains an honorary director of the board.
As well as his Highland Games duties, Stuart is an enthusiastic supporter of local
community groups. He is currently the chairman of Crieff Tourist Association, and
has also been involved with Crieff and Upper Strathearn Partnership, Crieff Round
Table, the local branch of the NFU and Morrison’s Academy Board of Governors at various
stages of his life.
On being invited to take up the Chieftain’s role this year, Stuart said: “I am very
surprised and pleased to have been asked, especially following in my father’s footsteps
as a former chairman and chieftain in 1993.
“I think that Crieff Highland Games is one of the most notable events in the local
calendar and I hope it continues for many years to come.”
Current CHG chairman David Gillies said: “In my final year as chairman, I am very
pleased to be able to welcome an honorary director and former chairman to fulfil
the role of chieftain. Stuart has made a valuable contribution to Crieff Highland
Gathering over many years, and the board thought it was a good time to recognise
that.”
The role of the chieftain at any Highland games is an important symbolic one. It
is thought that one of the origins of modern Highland games is in local contests
where men would compete to be chosen by the chieftain as the local clan “champion.”
