Invergordon strongmen Tom and Luke Stoltman to appear at Inverness Highland Games
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
The world's strongest brothers are set to be the star attraction at this year's Inverness Highland Games.
The Highland strongmen siblings will meet fans and showcase their amazing strength at the games when they take place at the city's Bught Park on July 16.
In May Tom lifted the World's Strongest Man title for a second time while Luke was named Europe's Strongest Man last year.
The Games will be the first public appearance at which they show off their impressive trophy haul.
Inverness Provost Glynis Campbell-Sinclair said: “What an honour and a thrill to have the Stoltman brothers at this year’s Highland Games.
“We’re delighted that they have chosen Inverness to show their trophies publicly for the first time and throughout the day they will be meeting with their many fans and showing us just what it takes to lift the Atlas Stones.
“This year’s games promises to be a fantastic fun day out for our residents and visitors and we can’t wait to showcase the very best the Highlands has to offer.
“I also firmly believe that the Inverness Highland Games continue to be an excellent community-based event, and therefore most worthy of the continuing financial support given by the Inverness Common Good Fund as endorsed by the city of Inverness area committee.”
Nicknamed "The Albatross" and "King of the Stones" Tom Stoltman earlier this year successfully defended his title as the World’s Strongest Man, picking up the accolade for the second year in a row, in California.
His brother Luke is 2021 Europe's Strongest Man and five-time Scotland's Strongest Man.
Luke is the eldest and began weight training aged 15.
Initially training as a bodybuilder he later became more interested in strength, entering and winning his first contest in 2011, aged 27.
This led to him participating in the Highlands Strongest Man in 2012, held in a gym car park in Inverness, where he again placed first.
A decade his junior, and inspired by Luke’s success as Scotland’s Strongest Man, Tom took up weight training at 16.
By the time he was 18 he was Highlands Strongest Man and was soon on the podium alongside Luke in Scotland’s Strongest Man.
Tom said: “The support I get from people home in the Highlands means so much to me and I could not wait to get back and see everyone.
“To win the World’s Strongest Man once is amazing, but to win it twice is unbelievable.
“I’m looking forward to meeting everyone in July for what is going to be a great day and a classic Highland Games.”
Luke added: “As athletes we often go through post-competition blues, so coming home to the Highlands to see everyone is a real joy.
“Spending time with our friends, our family and the people of the Highlands is very important and I’m looking forward to seeing everyone before we both get back into training for our next competitions this year and World’s Strongest Man 2023.”
The Inverness Highland Games will also feature the magnificent heavies, track and field athletics, pipes and drums and Highland Dancing.
Chairman of the games committee, Angus Dick, said: “With only a few weeks to go, we’re looking forward to welcoming the many Highland Games enthusiasts back to the city, with a focus on a return to the tradition of the Highland Games that our families and friends can enjoy.”
High Life Highland events manager Amy MacLeod said: “The Stoltman brothers are incredible ambassadors for Scotland, representing the Highlands on the world stage, and we are honoured to have them at the Games.
“Tickets are now available on our website as well as forms for those looking to take part and we can’t wait to see you all there.”
