Glengarry Highland Games Update

There is Always Something New and Exciting at the Games. Regular visitors to the Glengarry Highland Games know that every Games offers an exciting line up of entertainment and special features. This year’s Games will be no exception.

Not only are the Games celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the OPP, but there is also another century celebration this year at the Games.

Imagine a frozen lake in Baddeck, Nova Scotia. It is February 23rd, 1909. A team of aviation pioneers known as the Aerial Experiment Association, led by Alexander Graham Bell, gather to test an aeroplane that can "carry the weight of a motor and a man". Piloted by John Alexander Douglas McCurdy, the team's shimmering 'Silver Dart' aircraft successfully lifts off and is flown for an entire ¾ of a mile over the surface of Bras d'Or Lake: the first powered heavier-than-air flight in Canada.

To recognize that accomplishment, the Games Tattoo will present #12 and 14 Wings of the Air Force Pipe Bands from Shearwater and Greenwood, Nova Scotia in commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of Canada’s first powered, controlled flight. The combined pipe band will perform in the massed bands in the Tattoo on Friday, July 31st, and during the massed bands on Saturday, Aug. 1st.

And that’s just some of the excitement for this year’s Tattoo. Direct from Edinburgh, Scotland, the George Watson's College Pipes & Drums will be travelling to Maxville to add to an outstanding Tattoo lineup as well as compete in Grade Three pipe band competitions on Saturday. Competing all over the U.K. at Juvenile and Novice Juvenile level, George Watson's College is now one of the most successful teaching establishments in the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association. There are currently over 200 children being taught either piping or drumming under the leadership of Pipe Majors Iain Simpson, Ross Harvey and Drum Majors Mick O'Neill and Jim Clark. Over the last eight years they have won over eighty Major Championship Honours. Their highest achievement to date is winning the World Championships in 2002 and 2007. The Pipes & Drums are in huge demand to play at many events including performing for Prince Charles, The Great Scottish Walk, Concerts and numerous Corporate Events. They have also travelled to various countries, performing in Japan, Belgium and Russia where they were extremely well received. This is the band's second visit to Canada.

Impressive Lineup of Scottish Fiddling

This year’s Scottish Fiddling lineup at this year’s Games is impressive as well. Sandy MacIntyre from Cape Breton will be leading the Fiddler’s Workshop on Saturday morning at 10 am. Local fiddlers and interested visitors are invited to gather in the Arena dining hall to learn tips and techniques from this master fiddler who is one of today's most prominent players and teachers of Cape Breton fiddling.

Sandy appeared on the CBC TV show "Ceilidh," and played and conducted workshops in Scotland at the International Celtic Concert. Nowadays, Sandy performs and conducts workshops throughout the US, Canada, and abroad. For the past fifteen years he has been director of the fiddle program at the Gaelic College in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, and he has performed for the last several years at Cape Breton's famed Celtic Colours Festival.

Glengarry is home to its own fiddling sensations. Gerry O’Neill will be performing along with the 2 Paddy’s as the Greenfield Trio on Friday in the Metcalfe Centre. On Saturday afternoon and evening, Ashley MacLeod will be presenting her new band in the Metcalfe Centre. The Tents and the Metcalfe Centre will operating Friday until1am and Saturday until 10 pm.

Glengarry’s young fiddlers will have their own new event at the Games this year on Friday from 2-5 pm. This Fiddler’s Showcase will provide a venue for over twenty up-and-coming Glengarry fiddlers to show off their talents. Make your way to the Arena Dining Hall and see the stars of tomorrow.

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