The world’s strongest brothers – the Stoltmans – will be coming to this year’s Inverness Highland Games.
Having conquered the competition in the Highlands, Scotland, Europe and the world, Tom and Luke Stoltman will be meeting fans and showcasing their sheer strength at the Games at Bught Park on July 16.
It marks a world exclusive as they make the Highlands their first public appearance to show off their trophies since the recent win.
High Life Highland runs the event supported by the Inverness Highland Games Committee on behalf of The Highland Council’s City of Inverness and Area, Events and Festivals Working Group, funded by the Inverness Common Good Fund.
Announcing their appearance, 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 of 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 in California, picking up the accolade for the second year in a row.
His brother Luke is the 2021 Europe’s Strongest Man and five-time Scotland’s Strongest Man.
Luke is the eldest of the Stoltman brothers and began weight training at the age of 15.
Initially training as a bodybuilder, he later became more interested in strength, entering and winning his first contest, a local deadlift competition 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 the age of 16.
Within a year he was showing such potential that Luke decided to take him under his wing and guide him through training for strongman.
By the time he was 18 he was Highlands Strongest Man and was soon on the podium alongside Luke in Scotland’s Strongest Man.
On his triumphant return to the Highlands, 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 feature the magnificent heavies, track and field athletics, pipes and drums and Highland Dancing and are supported by the Inverness Common Good Fund.
Chairman of the Inverness Highland Games Committee Angus Dick said: “After the pandemic prevented the Games over the last couple of years, we are pleased to be working with High Life Highland, the City of Inverness Committee and the Inverness Common Good Fund to ensure that 2022 goes ahead.
“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 returning to the tradition of the Highland Games that our families and friends can enjoy.”
Competition event entry forms for those looking to take part in the competitive track and field athletic, highland dancing and solo piping events are also available on the website.
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.”
Tickets are priced:
- Adult (16+) general admission £10
- Concession (under 16, senior 65+ and accessibility tickets) general admission £5.
- HLH member adult (16+) discounted admission £7
- HLH member concession (under 16, senior 65+ and accessibility tickets) discounted admission £3
For more information and to buy tickets, visit www.invernesshighlandgames.com
