It gives me the greatest pleasure to welcome you all today to Peebles 35th Highland Games. It also gives me particular pleasure to welcome all the visitors to our lovely Borders town of Peebles and I trust that you will enjoy your day out.

It seems just like yesterday that I was the Chairman of the small sub-committee of the then Peeblesshire tourist Association 36 years ago when we sat down to plan the first Pipe Band competition in Peebles. This was to entertain the visitors when they came to Peebles and extend the "Tourist Season".

I did not think then that the event would become established in the local calendar. I know from experience therefore the ammount of hard work that goes into creating a Highland Games and am happy to record thanks to the organizing committee on behalf of the spectators for all their hard work.

Richard N. Inglis