I had the privilege this summer of going to a Highland games in Canada and, boy, was it a big deal.
Billed as “Scotland without the airfare”, the Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games, held in August, was utterly huge.
As a veteran of reporting from similar events in Perthshire, I found it astonishing in its scale and I was thrilled to see so much Scottish culture presented in another country.
Of course, I went along for a family day out with serious misgivings. It’s kind of nerve-wracking to see ourselves as others see us, and I was worried. Would it be embarrassing? Would it be like a shortbread tin, a weird modern-day White Heather Club with unusual accents? Worse still, would it be full of fat drunks straight out of the Austin Powers films? I need not have worried.
The experience was overwhelmingly positive. Rarely have I seen so many people in one place having a great time and being proud of their roots. There must have been tens of thousands of people there..embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; padding-top: 30px; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; height: auto; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }
In fact, my only problem with it was due to its popularity. With a distinct lack of traffic management arrangements in place, there was a long, long queue of traffic to get into Fergus, Ontario, the town where it all goes Scottish for one day a year. It was like they’d tried the British sport of queuing but weren’t quite getting it right.
But, once we were in the games ground, it was impressive. Raised seating lined a massive games field and every seat was taken. The heavyweights and other attractions drew oohs and ahs that any Scottish crowd would envy. The attractions were many and the rows and rows of sidestalls were everywhere. I was proud.
As for that shortbread tin problem, it wasn’t one. Yes, there were kilts and bagpipes everywhere but it wasn’t too much. It was a genuine celebration of Scottish culture and it made my heart proud.
Perhaps part of its success was because it was a special event. There are other Scottish celebrations in Canada but, unlike in Scotland, they’re not widespread. It’s easier to get a big crowd if you don’t have to compete with the village down the road. Also, the Canadian spirit of entrepreneurship was there, with local newspaper reports making it clear the event had to be a financial success to survive. Many’s the time I arrived at a Highland games in Scotland and felt disappointed by the crowd. Yes, we can blame the weather but if people can’t celebrate Scotland in Scotland, then where can we celebrate it? I know there are a lot of events on the circuit but the success in Fergus made me wish I’d supported more Highland games in Scotland simply by turning up.
I think Scots at home can learn a lot from Scots abroad. I think some local games committees could look to events like the one in Fergus and ask themselves if they’re properly organised, promoted and financed.
But, as long as the enthusiasm is there, I hope Scotland’s little places keep their little Highland games events.
There is a charm in a rainy Saturday, with wellies on, watching the competitions. Others may do it bigger and, yes, better, but we do it the Scottish way.