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THE MAGIC of Nairn Games Day has been immortalised on canvas by local artist Chloe Furze. Chloe's wish is to donate her painting to the community of Nairn in return for donations to Ukraine Aid - a cause close to Chloe's heart.

Her oil on canvas captures the essence of Games Day with crowds relaxing at the Links, pipe bands playing, showies and the iconic bandstand in the background and heavy athletes tossing the caber under the watchful eye of judges and the Games Chieftain.

Last week the games returned after two challenging years through Covid.
The Links were again packed with visitors and returning exiles keen to catch up with families and friends.
"I've always loved Nairn Games Day," said Chloe.
"We first came here in 1972 and lived in Regoul for 12 years before my husband's work with a charity took us south, we returned each year for the games which we love. The build up to the event is exciting with the bands tuning up in Viewfield and then marching down to the links with people joining in from all directions. The amphitheatre of the Links with the Moray Firth as a backdrop is quite stunning and I love watching the different events from piping and dancing to the tug of war and races."
Chloe said she has sat and sketched over the years capturing her memories of games days gone past and these have provided the basis of the painting.

As 1972 was such an important year for Chloe and Rupert, £1972 is the amount of money that Chloe would like to see donated to Ukraine Aid. Contact was made with Nairn Community and Arts Centre to establish if they would be in a position to assist in receiving donations and thereafter display the painting. Sam Morrison, Centre Manager said "We have seen the painting and we think it is wonderful! We would love to hang it on our walls so that it can be enjoyed for many years by the people of Nairn'.

The painting has been chosen to go on display during the Nairn Book and Arts Festival 'Open Exhibition' Every Picture Tells a Story at Nairn Community & Arts Centre. The Exhibition is dedicated to much missed Nairn artists Mary and John Wilson, and it will run from 31st Aug to 28th Sept.

Nairn Book and Arts Festival and Nairn Community and Arts Centre have both kindly waived their commission fees relating to the sale of the painting.

Chloe said "I am getting prints of the original and some of the proceeds will be donated to the Nairn Games which is so important to the town.
"It's the last free Highland Games in Scotland and has just celebrated its 143rd year and I hope that can continue for many years to come."
Chloe has captured some of her family and friends in the painting, the Nairn Games Chieftain Lord Cawdor and Lord Lieutenant George Asher and Sam and Lily Hey whose families raised tens of thousands of pounds for the Team Hamish Splash pad and other projects at the links.

Thank you so much for your kind donation to Ukraine Aid, and in return 'The Games Day' by Chloe Furze will remain at Nairn Community & Arts Centre for the Community of Nairn to visit for many years to come.

A Painting for the Community - 'The Nairn Games' by Chloe Furze