The Glengarry Highland Games Does It Again

Drug Major Emma Barr at Massed Bands

There is only one word that can sum up this year’s Glengarry Highland Games and that is “fantastic”. From the perfect weather to the hard-fought competitions to the thousands of people who came out to discover just what the Games are all about, it was one unforgettable experience of music, tradition and heritage all wrapped up in one of the most spectacular massed bands closing in years. 

The pipe band competition with forty-three competing bands was one of the best with the 78th Fraser Highlanders from Milton, Ontario being crowned the Grade One North American Pipe Band Champions once again. In Grade Two the Ulster Scottish Pipe Band from Philadelphia took the honours with the City of Dunedin, Florida close behind.  There were several pipe bands from the United States at this year’s Games from as far away as Utah and Florida all coming to show their love of Canada and their Scottish heritage. The Games' crowds returned the sentiment with enthusiastic applause. 

The Glengarry Highland Games’ own Juvenile Pipe Band came second in their level with their first entry into the competitive field. This band is relatively new with some players only a few months as members of the pipe band. In first place was the Capital District Youth Pipe Band from Albany, NY.

A big hit with the fans was the appearance of World Champion Drum Major Emma Barr who led the fifty-three massed bands at the Friday night Tattoo and the Saturday noon and evening massed bands. Just the sight of this slight woman from Ballygowan near Belfast, Ireland leading twelve hundred pipers and drummers across the field brought huge cheers from the thousands surrounding the infield. 

Throughout the two days, the crowds displayed their love of the heavy events with cheers and sounds of encouragement as the athletes showed off their skills. In the Professionals division, Damien Fisher all the way from Ferndale in Washington State topped the field edging out Lorne Colthart from Ottawa. Local athlete Kyle Lalonde from Alexandria made a good showing in his first professional appearance in a field of eleven pros.  In the Women’s Professionals, Liz King from Antigonish, NS amassed the top points to win first place while Alexandria’s Lisa MacDonald, a Games director, took third place in the Women’s Masters competition. Josee Morneau from Manitoba, a perennial Games favourite, easily won first. Again this year, even with several valiant efforts, no one was successful in tossing the Challenge Caber.

The Dancing competitions had new competitions added to their schedule this year to accommodate the interest in their event and results are still being compiled since there were 280 dancers who took to the stage. The Dancing venue had an overflow audience both days to view the finest of competitions with dancers from around the world.

Not to be outdone, the celtic musicians gave their all keeping the dance floors filled and everyone clapping along. The music venues were full starting off on Friday afternoon and finishing late Saturday evening. 

Over in the Arena, the hall was jammed with music lovers as the fiddlers gave an energetic performance starting on Friday with the Youth Fiddlers and then on Saturday with the Scottish fiddle workshop and finishing up with the afternoon concerts where Glengarry’s best fiddlers joined together to make beautiful music.

The Canadian Armed Forces Primary Reserve tug of war was fiercely contested with the winning team being the 48th Highlanders of Canada from Toronto with the SD&G Highlanders taking second.

The Wee Bairns area was wall-to-wall kids exploring the myriad of fun activities on offer. At last count, more than one thousand little ones took advantage of a different way to enjoy the Games. 

All of the events report a very positive year with great competitions, participation and enjoyment, whether it was the kilt run, the whisky tasting, the British Car show, the Nate McRae Memorial Rugby Tournament, and of course, a crowd favourite, the colourful Clan Parade at noon on Saturday.

The Games social media channels and the local media have great coverage of the Games whether it’s articles, photos or video clips. Relive the Games or see what it’s all about by checking these out. 

For another year, the Games have surpassed the expectations of the organizing committee and the thousands of visitors who spent two full days making glorious memories.  And now, the Games, like the fictional Scottish village of Brigadoon, have disappeared only to reappear next year at the same time for another two days of Scottish tradition, entertainment and pageantry. 

Join us next year at the Games on July 31 and August 1, 2026 and make your own memories!

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