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Nova Scotia Cottages and Hotels-Antigonish Highland Games

The Nova Scotia Highland Games are the longest running games held outside of Scotland. They have gone on yearly since 1863. Each and every July thousands of athletes, musicians, and dancers congregate to celebrate their Scottish heritage with parades, concerts and competitions.

The first thing you will see is Tartans of marking all clans, instantly transporting you back to Scotland of old. Kilt is the dress of the day, everyday during the Games. The language spoken is Gaelic. Bagpipes play perennially in the background-sometimes you will hear a lone piper, while other times the air will literally be filled with notes from a whole troop of pipers, merrily playing their instruments.

The festival goes for a whole week with the games taking place throughout. The affair begins with the Grand Parade which features floats, pipe and drum corps, and marching clans. The next big event after the parade is the Concert Under the Stars, a very unique experience, indeed. Or, if you prefer seek out the smaller Ceilidhs that take place as well. Ceilidh is another name for a party with dancing, food and drinking, all done Gaelic style. If you like golf, you might consider entering one of the many tournaments. However be advised you will have to play in a kilt. One of the most popular events is the Massed Pipe Bands event. In this, hundreds of pipers and drummers march together in one big formation .

The core of the festival are the games. Big burly men line up to take part in the caber toss and other feats of strength. A caber is an 18 foot long 120 pound spruce pole. The hammer throw sees bigger men hurl a 40 pound stone on a 3 foot handle for distance. The hammer is tossed like a discus throw. Then there is the stone toss which sees men toss a 56 pound stone on a chain or a high jump apparatus.

There are dancing competitions as well and these make up a huge part of the giant celebration. So don't forget your dancing shoes. This is a family friendly event, so bring the kids and have fun.

by: Richard Verkley

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