The City of Inverness Highland Games Committee has been praised by Bill Scruggs, the SMAI Chief Executive for “staging the Games with outstanding efficiency and hospitality” and one of the biggest cheers of the weekend came from the competitors when it was announced that “when the MWC returns to Scotland it will be returning to Inverness”.

The spectacular Opening Ceremony of the 2006 City of Inverness Highland Games will certainly be unforgettable for one lady in particular. Competitor Frank Henry of Alexandria Virginia USA decided that he could think of no more romantic place to propose to his girlfriend Lee Ann Walsh than during their trip to the Scottish Highlands and asked for the help of the Games Chieftain Provost Bill Smith.

On the eve of the Games an announcement was made that a competitor had been selected at random to say a few words on behalf of the competitors during the Opening Ceremony and that Frank Henry given the honour. An unsuspecting Lee Ann was called on to the field to take a photograph of Frank’s big moment.

Little did she realise that she was about to have her very own big moment in front of a packed grandstand, 120 Highland Dancers, the British Legion Pipes and Drum Band and 90 Highland Games Competitors and a film crews from Brazilan and German TV.

Frank dropped to one knee to the biggest cheer of the whole weekend and seconds later a radiant smile from Lee Ann ensured that everyone knew what her answer was.Competing in the Masters World Championships in Inverness had indeed captured the imagination of Heavies around the world and a number of World Records were smashed in Bught Park Arena.

Following the presentation of the awards two of Highland Games legendary figures Greg Bradshaw USA and Bill Anderson Scotland were inducted to the Masters Hall of Fame.

The Chairman of the City of Inverness Highland Games Committee Councillor Angus Dick said “ The Masters World Championships is a wonderful competition and it has been a pleasure to have had so many great athletes and their families joining us. Everybody has enjoyed seeing the Masters in action and we look forward to welcoming them back to the Highlands”.