Corrie keeps on capering

This year, the well-attended family ceilidh kicked off events on Friday, followed by Skirl Power pipers who led a procession to Corrie Hotel where a flag raising ceremony took place.

On Saturday, Corrie Crufts attracted a huge amount of entrants in the dog competition, while the Viking games proved to be the most popular event with the Corrie Hotel’s beer garden almost filled to capacity.

On offer for spectators and competitors was a summer festival atmosphere with barbecue, burgers and cold beer on tap. Viking games included the frame-hanging event, shield holding and keg-carrying competitions, and the highlight of the day, the tug-of-war which carried a prize of £500. Throughout the afternoon attendees enjoyed a number of musical performances from Arran Music School and drum band Drummerdoon provided the evening’s musical entertainment.

On Sunday, the High Corrie Fun run attracted 24 entrants who made their way from Corrie Hall, south along the road, up the High Corrie Road to the water dam, and back to the hall. Breaking the three kilometre course record were Charlie Gilmore who came first overall with a time of 13 minutes and 37 seconds, and Charlotte Greenshields who was the first female home with a time of 13 minutes and 56 seconds. Malcolm Wilkinson and Avril Thomson were the firsts in the veteran category and Teddy Wiseman was the first runner home in the under 12 category.

After the popular Flora’s Summer Fete, and the Arran Geopark Walk, the fun continued late into the evening with the open mic sessions held at Corrie and Sannox Village Hall.

In addition to providing a weekend full of fun activities, Corrie Capers helps to raise funds for the village hall’s upkeep, Arran Youth Foundation, and Arran Music School’s trip to New York for next year’s Tartan Day Parade. Corrie Hotel also sponsors young local musicians through direct funding and bursaries.

Speaking after the event, Corrie and Sannox Village Committee secretary, Flora Ritchie said: “Corrie and Sannox Village Committee would like to extend our thanks to all the local businesses who gave so generously towards this year’s fundraising raffle for our hall, Arran Youth Foundations and Arran Music School. We are also extremely grateful to all the villagers, volunteers and attendees, who gave up their time and money to make this year’s Corrie Capers another roaring success.’

Corrie Capers was originally a week-long summer festival held in the village from the 1970s to the early 2010s. In previous years the event included a fancy dress competition, a fishing competition, a bicycle race, a dancing competition, a cricket match, bogey race and an uphellya that included Viking boats racing to Sannox.