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Gregor Edmunds
2007 World Highland Games champion Gregor will be competing in the European Highland Games championships as part of the World Pipe Band Championships event.Following in the footsteps of his father Dougie, Gregor will be defending Scottish pride in the multi-event competition that includes shotput, hammer, weight for distance and the world-famous caber toss.
25th July 2008
Filming up at Scone Palace for the Highlander World Championships came to an end last weekend. It was both enjoyable and tiring as I was competing while also helping to organise the event. It was good fun and different as it’s one of the only events in Scotland where you get to go head to head with competitors. I would say it’s like a cross between highland games and gladiatorial sports because it includes events like wrestling, pole jousting and stone lifting. To find out how I performed, tune into Channel 4 in September! I will however say that my efforts in organising the event may have hindered my performance in the heats somewhat.This weekend I’m looking forward to appearing at one of the best games events of the year so far – the Calander World Highland Games! I have won this even the last 3 years running so I hope my reign won’t be threatened due to tiredness from the Highlander World Championships last week.
Then, exactly one week before the World Pipe Band Championships on 9th August I’ll be in Ontario, Canada for the Fergus Highland Games. If I get any spare time I’d like to relax and sample some local brew! I’m very conscious that I’ve had a lot on and relaxation time can be just as important as training, so I plan to take it easy in Ontario in the lead up to the World Pipe Band Championships. Then I get back into my training and focus on winning on 16th August!
Life has been hectic over the lat few weeks with training for the European Highland Games championships, which forms part of World Pipe Band Championships event. I’ve been competing in various competitions and also helping to organise the Highlander World Championships which takes place on the 19th and 20th July at Scone Palace. I’ll be competing at this event too, so I’m hopeful that my hard work and training will pay off.
I really enjoyed The World Caber Tossing Championships at Hazelhead Park in Aberdeen on the 15th June 2008 and I’m very pleased to report that I came first! I won this same event last year too so I’m happy that I’ve now matched my father’s record of having won this contest twice.
On top of all this I managed to complete my Sports Therapy college course, which is a weight off my mind (excuse the pun), and place third overall in a Highland Games contest in the USA. I was pleased about placing third overall in the States considering I dropped a lot of points due to missing the heavy hammer event. My problem was that I wasn’t able to grip the hammer as well as I’d have liked so I pulled out of the heavy hammer event in the interest of public safety!
For those of you who are interested in my Texan date – it was an interesting experience. The ‘Date Gregor’ competition worked in the same way as the programme Blind Date, so a big screen separated me from three ladies who I asked a series of questions to. The date itself was at a local steak house and I have to say, sadly my steak was the highlight of the evening!
Tango in Texas
“I would like to be getting in more training ahead of the European Highland Games event but things are just too hectic! At the moment competitions and weights sessions are all that I have time for.
The last few weekends I’ve been competing at various competitions across Scotland at Blackford, Markinch and Blair Atholl. After that it was over the Irish sea to a publicity event at Glenarm Castle in County Antrim for a Highland Games event I am promoting there later in the year. It was then on to Edinburgh for some meetings the next day before packing my bags for Texas!
I am heading to Arlington in the USA for a Highland Games competition this weekend. It could turn out to be more than I bargained for though! The organisers asked me for a biography and for marital status I jokingly put “Single and looking for a Texan bride”.
When they told me they would find me one I thought they were kidding. That was until I heard about the ‘Date Gregor’ competition they are organising… I get to pick the girl but then its limos and dinner for two afterwards!
Will let you know how I get on when I get back!”
