Glengarry Highland Games: immersive, welcoming and cultural

Have you ever attended an event which makes you feel like you’ve come home? Where everyone is boisterous and welcoming, the music takes your breath away, the acceptable attire is kilts and tartans, the competition is fascinating, and you swear you’re one big family - even though there are 25,000 of you?

That’s the Glengarry Highland Games. 

The Games are set for July 31 and August 1 this year, but across the region, kilts are already being dusted and dancing shoes polished for the biggest and best Celtic festival around.

Dona Cruickshank, Director of Advertising for the Games, said the Glengarry Highland Games have a long history in the region, starting humbly in 1948 with a simple idea by a small group of local residents who wanted to enhance the Scottish traditions for their kids and community. 

“They tried the event thinking a few hundred people would attend - but 10,000 people showed up,” she said, laughing. It was a runaway success, and the small town of Maxville has never looked back. What started as a one-day event has turned into a massive spectacle each year, growing to two days plus spin-off events like a Tartan Ball and a golf tournament.

The Glengarry Highland Games now welcomes more than 25,000 people a year to the festival. In fact, the people of Glengarry County have welcomed almost a million visitors since the Games started almost 80 years ago. What’s more, the Games are thought to be one of the largest Highland Games in the world. 

Cruickshank attributes the success of the event to a marvellous combination of experiencing music, tradition, sport and heritage all wrapped up in one festival. She said it’s authentic, too, as Glengarry County was settled largely by Scottish Highlanders. “Those Scottish traditions stayed alive in Glengarry County: there are still families speaking Gaelic, there are still piping schools, dancing is a big part of our community, even the place names are reminiscent of Scottish locations.”

She said it’s a truly special event.  

She added that there are now third- and fourth-generation volunteers helping with the Games. They’ve even welcomed visitors from all walks of life, from all over the world and of all ages - from nine days old to 99 years old. The Games transform the small community of Maxville into a destination for incredible displays of dance, music, fiddling, and sport. 

Another favourite part of the event is the competitions. These include Heavyweights, which feature many athletes who have achieved number-one rankings in prestigious competitions around the world, in events such as caber, stone, hammer, and sheaf. This is in addition to competitions in Piobaireachd, Highland dancing, rugby, piping and drumming. A fan favourite is the Canadian Armed Forces Primary Reserve tug-of-war, in which units from across Canada compete for the cup. What’s more, this year, over 50 pipe bands from across North America will compete in the North American Pipe Band Championships held at the Games!

Cruickshank said the Tartan Ball has also become a cherished tradition, welcoming more than 200 guests in kilts and Scottish finery. The evening includes live entertainment, a performance by the Glengarry Pipe Band, and the time-honoured tradition, Address to a Haggis, as well as a three-course dinner.

One of the defining moments of the Games each year is the Massed Bands closing of the Games, when all the pipe bands march onto the field. Cruickshank said one band marches up to the grandstands and plays Amazing Grace, then is joined by all bass drums and pipers. “Picture more than 40 bands - last year there were 1,400 pipers and drummers - all playing simultaneously. Your heart is just pounding in your chest, and the sound is incredible. It’s an awe-inspiring, moving experience.”

This year, Emma Barr is back by popular demand as the guest Drum Major to lead the pipers and drummers, as well as lead a drum major workshop. She comes all the way from Ireland and is a favourite at the Games. Information from the Games notes that Emma is a two-time world champion and all-Ireland Champion, as well as the current Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Champion of Champions.

Cruikshank said to expect even more live music at this year’s installment of the Glengarry Highland Games, with Juno Award nominees, Rum Ragged from Newfoundland, joining the mix, among others, including Hadrian’s Wall. Another highlight for this year is the naming of the Guest of Honour. Renowned fiddler, stepdancer and composer, as well as an Ottawa Valley Country Music Hall of Fame inductee, Kelli Trottier is being named as the special Guest of Honour this year. 

Add that to a Kilt Run, children’s events and activities, an antique car display, whiskey tasting, Scottish fiddling, and workshops - and it’s set to be another banner year at the Glengarry Highland Games.

“If you don’t go to the Games, you’re missing something,” Cruickshank said. “Experience being immersed in a culture, in a crowd of happy people having a good time, very welcoming, no matter if you’re there by yourself or with your clan. It’s a great slice of life in a rural setting; it’s something different with a bit of history, loads of culture and topped off with great music and food.”

For more information, visit glengarryhighlandgames.com or find the Games on Facebook @GlengarryHighlandGames. Better yet, mark your calendar and plan to attend the Games this year, July 31 and August 1 in Maxville!