Doctor Who reincarnates as Highland chieftain

FORMER Doctor Who actor Sylvester McCoy was yesterday unveiled as a chieftain for a Highland games event.

The Scottish actor, who played the seventh Doctor in the cult BBC series in the 1980s, said he was "absolutely delighted" with the role for the Cowal Highland Gathering in Dunoon.

The role of the chieftain is ceremonial, with the incumbent's duties including presenting prizes to the winners of the Cowal Pipe Band Championships and the World Highland Dancing Championship.

More than 500 highland dancers and 3,000 pipers from across the world compete for the championship titles at the three-day event, which attracts 23,000 spectators.

The chieftain also takes the salute during the pipe band march past during the event.

McCoy, 66, who was born in Dunoon, said: "I am absolutely delighted to be attending Cowal Highland Gathering at the end of August, especially considering that as a child I grew up for 18 years watching the pipers marching up Argyll Street.

"I so look forward to revisiting the location and the happy memories.

"I am thrilled and honoured to have been asked."

The Cowal Highland Gathering is one of Scotland's biggest Highland games events.

It takes place at Dunoon Stadium, Argyll, from 26 August to 28 August, from 9am to 6pm each day.