"The Mountain" is coming to Carmunnock. This is not a statement of topographical fantasy becoming reality but refers to Hafthor Bjornsson’s appearance tomorrow as Chieftain at the village’s international Highland Games. Better known as "The Mountain" for his role as brutal warrior Gregor Clegane in "Game of Thrones", he fully justifies his name tag having recently won the World’s Strongest Man title in Manila.

Standing 6ft 9in, weighing almost thirty stones, and boasting a 60-inch chest, a 20-inch neck and 32-inch thighs, he certainly dwarfs his illustrious predecessors as Chieftain.

Multiple world boxing champion Ricky Burns did the honours last year, while others Chieftains include actor Sanjeev Kohli, politicians Linda Fabiani and James Dornan, businessman Boyd Tunnock and Glasgow Provost Michael Kelly.

At 12.30 "The Mountain" will lead a parade round the King George V playing fields followed by the local Gala Queen, pipers and drummers, dancers, athletes and officials before declaring the Games officially open. This he will do in time honoured historical tradition by addressing the crowd briefly before beating his targe [shield] several times with the Chieftain’s crook. Later his name will be engraved on the crook to accompany those of previous holders of the office.

Aged 29, he first came to sporting prominence in his native Iceland as a basketball player, playing professionally and representing the national under 21 team. Troublesome ankle injuries caused him to give it up, though – his naturally powerful physique pointing him towards strongman events in 2009.

In his first competition, "Iceland’s Strongest Viking", he clinched second place on minimal training. Since then it has been success upon success, climaxing with his recent world title after successfully diversifying into his celebrated acting role. Although a ruthless warrior on screen, he is a gentle giant off it according to those close to him. In Iceland strongman culture occupies an important place in the national sporting calendar and Bjornsson hopes to emulate his charismatic and iconic countryman, the late Jon Paul Sigmarsson, four times World's Strongest Man and former elite competitor at Carmunnock.

Throughout the afternoon the Chieftain will mix with the crowd while he oversees the variety of events and attractions taking place. The organisers hope he will be attired in highland dress although the logistics of locating a kilt to fit has its challenges. A high class field of heavy events athletes will be pitting their strength against each other in traditional events such as tossing the caber, putting the stone and throwing the 56 lbs weight over the bar. Among those competing will be former world champion Scott Rider, top international athletes such as Lucas Wenta, Vladislav Tulacek, Hans Lolkema and leading Scots Kyle Randall and Neil Elliott. Once the 56 lb weight event is over, it is planned that Bjornsson will make a special attempt on the Scottish record which currently stands at just over 17 feet. At the recent Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic in California, he achieved a world record throw of 20 feet – a double decker bus measures about 14 feet.

Other attractions apart from the pipes, drums and dancers include a combat sports contest "the Highland Warriors Challenge", the "Community Challenge" for local two-man teams in various events, a "Wellington Boot" throw for ladies, children’s races, a number of stalls and a beer tent. Dr Douglas Edmunds and son Gregor, two of the driving forces behind the Games along with Linda Edmunds, share an outstanding strongman sports pedigree themselves, Douglas having been instrumental in establishing the World’s Strongest Man Event. He commented: "It’s a real coup having ‘The Mountain’ as our Chieftain, I’m sure he’ll be a huge attraction.”