Official Ceremonies
The first massed bands of the day and hear from our official guest at 12:30 pm in front of the grandstands.
Guest of Honour
Colin Patrick MacDonell of Glengarry
The Glengarry Highland Games welcomes Colin Patrick MacDonell of Glengarry, the 24th hereditary Chief of Glengarry as the Guest of Honour for the 2025 Games.
The first MacDonells arrived in what is now Glengarry County in 1784 as United Empire Loyalist refugees after the American Revolution. They were followed in 1786 by two groups of MacDonalds who left Scotland for the Canadian wilderness after years of famine and increased farm rents. From these first pioneers, MacDonells and MacDonalds have spread throughout Canada and the United States. This year, the Glengarry Highland Games is calling on all members of Clan Donald to return to Glengarry and the Glengarry Highland Games on August 1st and 2nd.
Games President Don Gamble states
"Our Glengarry Highland Games were born in 1948 bringing to Maxville a premier Scottish cultural event enjoyed by generations. As part of our celebration, we are proud to remember our Scottish Highlanders who came to settle these lands over two hundred years ago and we honour the past by recognizing the many Clans that attend our Games each year highlighted by the Clan parade prior to the official opening. As President of this year's edition, I am humbled that Glengarry, the Chief of Clan MacDonell of Glengarry has accepted my invitation to be the Games Honoured Guest. Failte air aoigh le urram (Welcome honored guest.)"
Patrick MacDonell of Glengarry has lived in Canada for 60 years. He is a graduate of the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Science in Forestry, is a Registered Professional Forester (ret) and a Certified Management Accountant (ret). Glengarry worked in the west coast forest industry and then moved to Southeast Asia to represent his company, overseeing the company’s investments. On returning to Canada, Glengarry held a number of senior positions with industry and Government. Glengarry lived in the Yukon for twenty years and retired as a Director with the Yukon Territorial Government. Glengarry lives in North Vancouver, BC with his wife Lourdes.
Glengarry takes a keen interest in Clan Donald. He is a member of The High Council of Clan Donald Chiefs, the Clan Donald Society of Scotland, a life member of the Clan Donald Society of Nova Scotia, and a life member of Clan Donald USA, North Pacific Region.
Fittingly, his daughters were Highland dancers and his grandchildren also dance. He was the band manager and a piper with a Vancouver Island pipe band and attends all the local Highland dancing competitions and Highland games.
“As Chief of Glengarry, it is my great pleasure and honour to be with so many of the descendants of the original United Empire Loyalists and the Clan Glengarry members who, in the late 1700s, entered the virgin old-growth forests of Eastern Ontario, and, using their own arms and backs, tamed the land creating the wonderful communities we now see. God bless their memories and may we each contribute new memories to this continuing story. On behalf of my family and Clan Donald members joining us today, I extend a warm welcome to the thousands attending the 76th Glengarry Highland Games. Cragan an Fhithich!”
Glengarry will participate in the Official Ceremonies at noon on Saturday, August 2, 2025, and welcome all to another exciting version of one of North America’s premier highland Games.
Official Ceremonies Massed Highland Fling
All dancers wishing to participate in the mass fling during the Official Opening must present themselves at the North-West end of the grandstand between C and D section no later than 11:30 am.
All dancers must be fluent in a 6 Step Highland Fling.
All dancers must be dressed in appropriate kilted attire and be participating in the Glengarry Highland Games either as a competitor or performer
All dancers from area Schools of Dance must be accompanied by an instructor or by a designated assistant. Parents must remain in the grandstand/at their seats except for drop-off and pick-up.
