BOWHILL Highland Games could yet be reborn in 2020.

The Games, which were last held in the 1950s, were scheduled to take place on Sunday May 17, at Wallsgreen Park, but the current lockdown due to the coronavirus crisis meant that this was no longer possible.

However, at a meeting of the Games Committee in March, Lochgelly man Don Campbell pointed out that there was a date available at the very end of the season, on Sunday September 13.

The small, but very enthusiastic committee, were behind moving the date if the athletes, cyclists, dancers and vendors could help make it happen.

Don, Scotland's leading Highland Games Handicapper, undertook to check everything out and this week he was able to report that the new date is very much OK with everyone.

He said: "The runners, heavies, cyclists, dancers, vendors, and fayre people are all happy with September 13 so we are back up and running.

"Clearly, at the end of the day it depends on how the progress of the battle to beat the virus goes, but at least now we have that bit more time on our side.

"Games people from all over the country have been getting in touch and saying they will be there if we get going on September 13, so it could yet be a brilliant day."

Don added that in a strange quirk of fate the re-birth of Bowhill Highland Games on May 17 was to have started the Scottish Highland Games season, but now, if all goes well and with it being in mid September, it will bring the curtain down on the season.

"Way back during the winter, when we were able to get things together for May 17, it was going to be the opener," he said, "Now, if we can hold it on September 13, it will actually end the season, but if it goes ahead, the really important thing is the re-birth of Bowhill Highland Games."

Cardenden councillor, Linda Erskine, a member of the Games Committee said: "I thought we had had it with the coronavirus situation, but getting this date has been a real boost to everyone".

Games chieftain, local undertaker John Gilfillan, is hoping that the new date will see Wallsgreen Park buzzing on September 13.

A total of 40 Highland Games throughout Scotland have been cancelled by the coronavirus situation.