The world record attempt will be held at the North Fermanagh Gathering, a form of Highland Games being held in the village for the first time by the newly formed North Fermanagh Ulster Scots Association.

    Spokesman, Gary Wilson, said they are seeking 5,000 dancers or willing learners to dance the Gay Gordon on the day when there will be family entertainment based on the traditional Scottish Highland Games.

    The event is being staged to raise proceeds for Cancer Research in Northern Ireland. Everyone passing through the entertainment zone will be invited to make a voluntary donation to the charity.

    The programme begins at 2pm when the official opening is performed by the Chieftain of the Day, Jim Devanney, vice-Chairman of the Board of the Ulster Scots Agency. During the games, visitors are invited to show their strength in the Tug of War, Shot Putt, Tossing the Caber or just enjoy the piping and marching bands or Scottish Country and Highland Dancing displays.

    There will be traditional crafts demonstrated such as basket making, spinning, weaving and cookery.

    Another highlight will be the visit to Kesh by over 200 vehicles taking part in the Erne Vintage Car Club’s annual Lakeland Run when they arrive at around 3pm.

    The strongman events are being co-ordinated by Glenn Ross, three times Britain’s Strongest Man and a competitor in the forthcoming World’s Strongest Man Contest being staged in Zambia in mid-September. That event will be televised later in the year by the BBC.

    Glenn, who attended the launch of the North Fermanagh Gathering on Tuesday has arranged for a leading contender from each of the four home countries lined up to compete in a series of strongman events. They include Stephen Gracey, the Irish Arm Wrestling Champion representing Ulster; Ade Rollison, a finalist in the World Strongest Man event for four years representing England; Dean Bolt, a British Strong Man finalist from Wales and Brian Bell, a World Strongest Man finalist from Scotland. They will be competing in caber tossing, log lift, sheath throwing, deadlift of a car, Scottish wrestling, arm over arm rope pull and tyre flip and farmers walk medley.

    Kesh has an historical link with the Ulster Scots movement, with many local family names descended from the plantation period. The remains of Crevenish Castle, a Planter’s Bawn, are just outside the village, where it was built in the 17th century by the Blennerhasset clan and where they held out against three rebellions within 40 years.

    This is the first major public event staged by the North Fermanagh Ulster Scots Association. Later in the autumn and winter, the group is organising autumn and winter classes in Scottish dancing, piping and drumming and Scottish fiddle playing at their centre at Dromard.