Moray Reach Out at the Gordon Castle Highland Games 2025
What a fantastic day! On Sunday 18th May 2025, despite a wee nip in the air, it stayed dry for the crowds at Gordon Castle and Moray Reach Out was right at the heart of the action. The Gordon Castle Highland Games is always a highlight in the local calendar – a true celebration of Scottish heritage, community spirit and family fun – and this year’s event was no exception.
From 10am to 5pm, the air buzzed with the sound of pipes, cheers from the arena, and the hum of happy chatter from families enjoying a grand day out. Visitors enjoyed everything from traditional Highland Games events to the Country Sports arena, with food stalls and local businesses showing off the very best of Moray.
For us at Moray Reach Out, it was a day to remember – and a true team triumph!
Showcasing All Our Projects
For the first time ever, every MRO project was represented at a single event – a brilliant achievement, and one that we’re incredibly proud of. A huge well done to our team leads for making that vision a reality! From beautiful tartan creations in our Embroidery and Upcycling shops to high-quality Scottish-themed items from the Thrift Shop, every item was thoughtfully selected to suit the event – and the public loved it.
Behind the Scenes: MRO Recycling & MRO Woodwork
A big shout-out to MRO Recycling and MRO Woodwork, who worked incredibly hard in the lead-up to the event. Under Gemma’s guidance, these teams put in the hours to ensure everything was beautifully prepared and ready to shine on the day. Their dedication and craftsmanship were key to making our presence at the Games such a success, thank you all!
A Team Effort
The success of the day was all down to our fantastic team. Hats off to Gemma and Christina for their exceptional organisational skills (it’s no easy task pulling together so many elements) but they made it look effortless. On the day, the MRO crew included Gemma, Christina, John, Bert and Shona.
Spreading Our Message
While we were thrilled with how well our items were received, the true success of the day lay in sharing what MRO is all about. We had so many conversations with visitors who were inspired by the work we do, helping adults with disabilities gain a real sense of purpose and pride. That message came across loud and clear- and that, more than anything, is what we take away from the event.
The picnic table above was handmade by MRO Woodwork. If you wish to order one, get in contact!
A Proud Tradition
It was an honour to be part of an event with such a rich history. The Gordon Castle Highland Games has been drawing crowds since the early 20th century, once hosting over 30,000 spectators and legendary strongmen like George Clark of Banffshire. To stand where history was made – and to be part of its ongoing legacy, made the day even more special.
Thank you to everyone who came to say hello, supported our stalls, and helped make the day such a success. We’re already looking forward to next year!
If you missed us on the day, you can still explore our amazing work and handcrafted items through our shops and social media. Every purchase supports our mission to empower adults with learning disabilities through meaningful training and work experience.
Together, we’re making a difference – one event, one conversation, and one proud trainee at a time.