2023 Highland Games Season
The always anticipated Highland Games season returned to Eastern Ontario starting in May.
Events kicked off with an indoor pipes and drums contest in Kemptville on Saturday, May 6. The day included a full array of solo and band events, and drum salute and quartet contests.
The next event will be the eighth annual Highland on the Rideau Games, taking place on Saturday June 24th at Lower Reach Park in Smiths Falls. There will be individual and band Pipe & Drum competitions. This year’s event will be paired with Smiths Falls RibFest.
The annual Glengarry Highland Games are one of the largest in the world and will be held in Maxville, Ontario from August 4-5. The first Games were held in 1948, and the people of Glengarry have offered close to a million welcomes to guests who have visited over the years. Thousands of people find themselves drawn to Maxville each year to witness an outstanding display of music, dance, sports, fiddling, pageantry, and tradition.
The Highland Games season ends with the ever-popular North Lanark Highland Games starting on August 26th in Almonte Ontario. Like Maxville’s, these games involve a full array of Highland games activities ending with a spectacular mass bands event.
The Scottish Society of Ottawa will be looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help us staff our booths at many of these events.
By Dave Johnston
