PICTURES: Praise for behind-the-scenes helpers as 2023 Caithness Music Festival gets under way

Organisers of the Caithness Music Festival have paid tribute to the team of willing helpers who make sure the much-loved event goes smoothly every year.

Dozens volunteer their services for a range of behind-the-scenes tasks, both in the run-up to the festival and during the week itself.

The 2023 festival got under way on Tuesday. It has had to be condensed into four days this year as schools had an in-service day on Monday.

Festival secretary Audrey MacKinnon said: "Entries are pretty much the same as last year, which is very good. The groups are up – we've definitely got more big groups.

"And hopefully next year we'll have five days so we can accommodate everything a little bit better."

Mrs MacKinnon added: "We'd like to thank all the helpers and volunteers because the festival wouldn't run without them, that's the bottom line.

"They do so many things which people don't realise go on behind the scenes.

"There's such a lot of work that happens months before the festival even starts. We have about 50 to 60 helpers this year."

Festival convener Marjory Richard was delighted with how the first day had gone.

"Everyone is happy," she said. "It's always a very cheerful week. It's a lovely atmosphere.

"You can just see the bairns are so excited. When one class won this morning, you would think they'd won the lottery!"

Results:

Popular song P6-P7: 1 Newton Park P6; 2 Noss P7R; 3 Noss P7B.

Popular song P3-P5: 1 Noss P5B; 2 Newton Park P5; 3 Miller Academy P5.

Scots fiddle, primary school, slow air and march: Olivia Singh, Thurso.

Scots fiddle, secondary school, march, strathspey and reel: 1 Leah Bullivant, Halkirk; 2 Freya Swanson, Thurso High School; 3 Camilla Elder, Wick.

Accordion, primary school: Logan Sutherland, Halkirk.

Strings, secondary school, slow air: 1 Rebekah Bullivant, Halkirk; 2 Camilla Elder; 3 Claire McAdam, Wick.

Strings, grade six: Eliana Williamson, Caithness.

Grade five: 1 Olivia Singh; 2 Claire McAdam.

Grade four: Liam Bruce, Newton Park.

Grade two: Elizabeth McColm, Thurso.

Grade three: 1 Lewis Lee, Thurso High School; 2eq Izzy Alexander, Newton Park, and Victoria Fryett, Reay Primary School.

Trophies:

Eann Nicolson Shield: Newton Park P6.

Lewry Shield: Noss P5B.

Thurso Strathspey and Reel Society Cup: Olivia Singh.

Music Committee Shield: Leah Bullivant.

Wick Accordion and Fiddle Club Shield: Leah Bullivant.

Bobby Coghill Memorial Shield: Logan Sutherland.

Braehillor Grant Shield: Rebekah Bullivant.

Mentiplay Shield: Eliana Williamson.

Jack Duncan Memorial Shield: Lewis Lee.

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