Time off - Brothers keep contest alive

Dec 11 2006 By Sarah Judd, The Journal

For Stephen Aitken, the Highland Games isn't just a hobby, but a passion stretching back generations. Sarah Judd finds out why the farmers' auction mart managing director and former world champion is at the top of his game.

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Stephen Aitken is a competitive man. The 38-year-old Scot, who now lives at Ingleby Barwick, near Stockton, certainly won't be beaten. But despite his success at Darlington Farmers' Auction Mart during his three years in charge, we're not talking about his career.

The former Highland Games world champion has followed a generations-old tradition, by competing in all seven disciplines of the games, including shotput and hammer events and the traditional caber tossing.

Even after being head-hunted by Penrith Farm in 1996 and moving to Stokesley, the Oban auctioneer's Highland Games career continued.

This year, he achieved the title of European champion, and has also held the title of Scottish champion.

Stephen's success follows a long-running family tradition. "My father was at the top of the sport in the 1960s to 1970s, and my grandfather was also a champion," he says.

His brother, 35-year-old Bruce Aitken, who lives in the family's home town of Aberdeen, currently holds the world record for hammer throwing - not that this is something Stephen wants to be reminded of.

"Me and Bruce get along brilliantly," he says, "but when it comes to the games, we are both very competitive. I have to admit, I never want him to beat me!"

In August, the brothers competed in the Fergus Scottish Festival & Highland Games in Canada, which he describes as a "disaster from start to finish".

On the day he was due to fly to Canada, the whole of the UK was in the grip of heightened airport security, after a terrorist plot to blow up planes in mid-air was foiled.

After several delays he eventually arrived in Canada - just in time to take part in the games. "This meant travelling for a total of 75 hours without any sleep," Stephen says. "I also got food poisoning, but still finished in second place - to my brother!"

Stephen describes Bruce as a "man in his prime" and believes he will now carry on the family tradition as champion of the games.

But as well as being a champion in his own right, Stephen has also basked in the success of David Dowson, from Middlesbrough, who he trained up until the age of 25.

He says: "I enjoy training up-and-coming competitors. It is a great feeling to be keeping the culture of the games alive."

However, his partner, Catherine, 28, is not so enthusiastic. "She has put up with a lot over the years and has seen enough Highland games to last her a lifetime," he laughs.

Their two children, Holly, seven, and Laura, five, wonder where he goes almost every weekend, and during his 16-hour weekly training schedule.

But Stephen is determined to continue competing for as long as he can. He says: "Training for the games keeps me fit, and I also believe it has a positive impact on my performance at work. Exercise helps keep the mind sharp and competitive."

That will certainly be important as Stephen, who was taken on as MD of Darlington Farmers' Auction Mart in 2002, continues negotiations to develop a new £15m auction mart in Darlington, and moves forward in a career which already spans 15 years.

He says: "As far as the Highland Games is concerned, I've been as far as I can, and my age is against me. These days, I reserve my competitive edge for work."