After heavy overnight rain the 2011 was on the verge of being cancelled but thankfully it got the go ahead at 8.30am when the weather broke and the rain stopped, with load of stalls and events already in place the games got underway.

The Strathleven Artizans were pitched on the right handside of the arena and on a slight hill were the conditions under foot were damp but firm a good part of the grounds around the arena were flooded and difficult to walk through but the ground conditions just like the weather improve throughout the day as the people slowly arrived and by mid afternoon the games like our marquee was jumping with activity.

The games got underway with the games Chieftain (name ???) opening up in the main arena.
We had the usual events like toss the caber, hammer throwing, running, cycling, long distance running which was part of the world strongman event circut, we also had the pipe bands championship with a good turn out with bands from all over Scotland taking part.
As normal at Balloch games the Highland Dancing was very busy and always a popular events with dancers from far and wide taking part.
The public had a great varity of different stalls to visits as well as the bird of prey centre, I must say I was surprise to see they came from Lothians area when we had a great bird of prey centre a mile up the road from Moss of Balloch Park ???.
The fun fair was doing a roaring trade throughtout the day as was the Artizans stall with our retired teacher Mrs Crocket in her element talking to the visiting French and German students who wanted to know all about KRB and William Wallace, there was also a French TV crew filming at the games.
The Artizans had a few members missing as we had to split the membership so that they could attend the annual commeration of the 2nd battle of Falkirk at Callender Park as this event clashed with the games we also had no King as he is still suffering a great deal of pain and has passed a few kidney stones !!!!.
A big thanks to the 10 Bowmen who made it along and man the stall and mingled with the public etc you know who you are far too many to mention.
A big thanks you to Lomond Highland Games committee for inviting us to take part and congratulations on a great job well done, we hope to see you next year.

Report by Jim Tannock
Strathleven Artizans.