Highland Games - Antigonish, Nova Scotia - Did you every go...share with me ....

[CollinMacD]

My family roots are in St. Andrews, Nova Scotia, section called Maryadale. My Grandfather migrated to US in early part of 20th century. However, my grandfather, uncle and father often would go back to the Highland Games in Antigonish, NS. I understand the games are in July, and they are a rather long period about a week or so. I would eventually like to go to the games, return in tribute to my grandfather, uncle and father. However, I have been to the website, looks impressive, but would like to hear from folks who actually go or went to these specific games. Is it as large as it looks? When is the best three days to go? Is it worth the expense and the time? I would like to learn more not from the website, that makes everything look good. Recommendations of where to stay? Standing by and hope to hear from people. Thank you.....

[Tom Fiddles]

Hello Allan
Last year my wife and I were vacationing in Cape Breton. We actually drove from Sydney down to Antigonish for the games, and then back "home" again. It made for an extremely long day....but we felt it was well worth it.
We went for the day on Saturday, got to enjoy the pipe band and dance competitions, some of the heavy games and some excellent music entertainment.
There are activities all week long leading up to the "main event" on Saturday that may be worth seeing.

We are planning another trip to Cape Breton this year, and are looking forward to attending the games on July 7, 8 and 9. We are currently looking at options for staying over in Antigonish for that weekend. We definitely would like to be there this coming summer!

[Taskr]

The games are very good as is the entertainment and other ancillary activity. You might also consider adding the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo in Halifax, running Jun 26 - Jul 6; an excellent show, NS tourism can also provide a list of all the local concerts and ceilidhs for your planned trip timings. If you're a golfer, check out Cabot links and Cabot Cliffs in Inverness.

[CollinMacD]

Thank you so much for the information. My Grandfather an ancestors came from Maryadole, St. Andrews, Antigonish. We are the MacDonald (McBride) clan, I understand my family ancestors are know in NS as Pioneers. Guess that is a very distinctive title. I hope to do more family research as they arrive in 1690, and were part of the St. Andrews Catholic Church Parish. As I stated in my original post, my grandfather, uncle and father use to attend the games and loved it. Good info about the Halifax event, I will look into that too....Thanks.

[Famous Willie]

My family roots are in St. Andrews, Nova Scotia, section called Maryadale. My Grandfather migrated to US in early part of 20th century. However, my grandfather, uncle and father often would go back to the Highland Games in Antigonish, NS. I understand the games are in July, and they are a rather long period about a week or so. I would eventually like to go to the games, return in tribute to my grandfather, uncle and father. However, I have been to the website, looks impressive, but would like to hear from folks who actually go or went to these specific games. Is it as large as it looks? When is the best three days to go? Is it worth the expense and the time? I would like to learn more not from the website, that makes everything look good. Recommendations of where to stay? Standing by and hope to hear from people. Thank you.....

The Antigonish Highland Games are the Oldest Continuous Games outside Scotland. They are 4 years older than the Confederation of Canada. They have been held every year since inception, even held during the War Years. 1914-1918. 1939-1945. They run about 10 days, with the Grand Street Parade the Last Saturday of the Games. Pipe Bands from around the world compete at the Games, and they all participate in the Grand Street Parade.

Book your accommodation early as there are limited places to stay in Antigonish. There are some Bread & Breakfast places as well, some of the Downtown Accommodation are in walking distance. The best place to search for places to stay is with the Nova Scotia Government's Doers and Dreamers Guide they put out each year. I think the NS government charges for it now, but at one time it was free.

I grew up in Antigonish, but when I was younger took the Games for Granted. About the Only thing we'd attend was the Grand Street Parade. Years later when I lived in Bridgewater, NS. I had a friend from there who wanted to see the Games and we made a Weekend of it, Camping in Whidden's Trailer Park, which was in the Heart of Downtown, and walking distance to the Games. We made a Couple of trips back then. Now I'd give my "Eye Teeth" to be able to attend, but Kitchener is a bit of a drive to see the Games... The Games are on my Bucket List to attend again, as well as my Tartan Kilt and Argyle Vest n' Jacket. I have a feeling the Kilt and Argyle Vest and Jacket will be first...

I hope this is some help Allan

Bill

[CollinMacD]

The Antigonish Highland Games are the Oldest Continuous Games outside Scotland. They are 4 years older than the Confederation of Canada. They have been held every year since inception, even held during the War Years. 1914-1918. 1939-1945. They run about 10 days, with the Grand Street Parade the Last Saturday of the Games. Pipe Bands from around the world compete at the Games, and they all participate in the Grand Street Parade.

Book your accommodation early as there are limited places to stay in Antigonish. There are some Bread & Breakfast places as well, some of the Downtown Accommodation are in walking distance. The best place to search for places to stay is with the Nova Scotia Government's Doers and Dreamers Guide they put out each year. I think the NS government charges for it now, but at one time it was free.

I grew up in Antigonish, but when I was younger took the Games for Granted. About the Only thing we'd attend was the Grand Street Parade. Years later when I lived in Bridgewater, NS. I had a friend from there who wanted to see the Games and we made a Weekend of it, Camping in Whidden's Trailer Park, which was in the Heart of Downtown, and walking distance to the Games. We made a Couple of trips back then. Now I'd give my "Eye Teeth" to be able to attend, but Kitchener is a bit of a drive to see the Games... The Games are on my Bucket List to attend again, as well as my Tartan Kilt and Argyle Vest n' Jacket. I have a feeling the Kilt and Argyle Vest and Jacket will be first...

I hope this is some help Allan

Bill

Bill,

Thank you so much for your information, this certainly does help, and only encourages me to make plans to attend the games next year. My Grandfather is Allan Collin MacDonald Sr., who was born in St. Andrews, I believe in the Marydale section, that was settled by my MacDonald ancestors back in 1790. My Grandmother is a Chisholm from West River (I believe). So it is obvious that I would like to visit the areas, and learn much more about my "Nova Scotia Roots". My Grandfather, Father and Uncle travelled several times to the games, but I never went with them as I was very young. FYI we are the MacDonald (MacBrides), if that means anything to you. Thanks for all the information so much...very excited to plan this trip.

[Famous Willie]

Bill,

Thank you so much for your information, this certainly does help, and only encourages me to make plans to attend the games next year. My Grandfather is Allan Collin MacDonald Sr., who was born in St. Andrews, I believe in the Marydale section, that was settled by my MacDonald ancestors back in 1790. My Grandmother is a Chisholm from West River (I believe). So it is obvious that I would like to visit the areas, and learn much more about my "Nova Scotia Roots". My Grandfather, Father and Uncle travelled several times to the games, but I never went with them as I was very young. FYI we are the MacDonald (MacBrides), if that means anything to you. Thanks for all the information so much...very excited to plan this trip.

Hi Allan:

Glad that I could supply some useful information for you. I went to school with some MacDonalds, but the MacDonalds that I knew were from the Brierly Brook, they and my Mum's Family The Frasers went back years. One thing I remember most about Antigonish, there were a Lot of Chisholms and MacDonalds.

I grew up in the West River, My Great Grandfather Alexander Fraser who came over from Scotland married an Isabelle Chisholm, she was the Daughter of Alexander Chisholm and Catherine Hunter. He settled in the West River for awhile, and my Grandfather Will, whom I am named after, eventually bought property in the Brierly Brook and farmed there. He married a Lady from Quebec named Minnie Livingstone, Her Mum, my Great Grandmother was Full First Nations, My Dad was right from Scotland, Edinburgh, I know a little about the Hardies, but not that much.

Chat soon.

Bill.

[CollinMacD]

Hi Allan:

Glad that I could supply some useful information for you. I went to school with some MacDonalds, but the MacDonalds that I knew were from the Brierly Brook, they and my Mum's Family The Frasers went back years. One thing I remember most about Antigonish, there were a Lot of Chisholms and MacDonalds.

I grew up in the West River, My Great Grandfather Alexander Fraser who came over from Scotland married an Isabelle Chisholm, she was the Daughter of Alexander Chisholm and Catherine Hunter. He settled in the West River for awhile, and my Grandfather Will, whom I am named after, eventually bought property in the Brierly Brook and farmed there. He married a Lady from Quebec named Minnie Livingstone, Her Mum, my Great Grandmother was Full First Nations, My Dad was right from Scotland, Edinburgh, I know a little about the Hardies, but not that much.

Chat soon.

Bill.

Well Bill you did it. I just made reservations at the Victorian House B&B in Antigonish for the games next year. Planning the trip will leave the Washington DC area, drive to Boston to pick up my cousin, another MacDonald, and wife, cousin and I will head to Portland, get on the Ferry to Yarmouth, and drive up to Antigonish. So couple of questions. How far is the drive from Yarmouth to Antigonish? I will have one day and night before check-in at the Inn in Antigonish, can you recommend a place to visit on the way up and place to stay overnight that would be interesting? We plan to take the Ferry on Friday 29 June, so we will stay overnight in Yarmouth, leave next day. Inn checkin is Sunday. Got suggestions. Better to drive the Coastal Highway through Halifax, or stay inland? This is very exciting to plan this..... Love to keep in touch. Thanks so much.

[Famous Willie]

Well Bill you did it. I just made reservations at the Victorian House B&B in Antigonish for the games next year. Planning the trip will leave the Washington DC area, drive to Boston to pick up my cousin, another MacDonald, and wife, cousin and I will head to Portland, get on the Ferry to Yarmouth, and drive up to Antigonish. So couple of questions. How far is the drive from Yarmouth to Antigonish? I will have one day and night before check-in at the Inn in Antigonish, can you recommend a place to visit on the way up and place to stay overnight that would be interesting? We plan to take the Ferry on Friday 29 June, so we will stay overnight in Yarmouth, leave next day. Inn checkin is Sunday. Got suggestions. Better to drive the Coastal Highway through Halifax, or stay inland? This is very exciting to plan this..... Love to keep in touch. Thanks so much.

Hi Allan, or would you prefer me to use Collin?

Great to read that you will be attending the Games in Antigonish next year, I think you will thoroughly enjoy it. Hope you plan to be there for the Grand Street Parade on the Closing Saturday to the Games. Final night is the Sunday after. I believe the Massed Pipe Bands n' Drums participate in a Concert Under the Stars.. There are two ways to Leave Yarmouth to get to Antigonish,

One is to take Highway #101 through the Annapolis Valley through Middleton, Kentville, Wolfville, Windsor and such to outside Halifax to get to Highway #102 to take you to Truro, NS to Highway #104 East to Antigonish. Or you can take Highway #103 from Yarmouth through the South Shore of Nova Scotia through Shelburne, Liverpool, and Bridgewater, and points to Highway #102 near Halifax to continue the same routing to Antigonish.

Both routes take about the Same amount of time between Yarmouth and Antigonish. Around 5 hours. Both routes are quite Scenic, the #103 wouldn't be so busy with traffic as most seem to take the #101 to Halifax as there are more Towns and Villages along the way. These routes are the Main Highways that you can take, the Older Trunk Highways #1 #2 #3 #4 take you off the beaten path, but the travel time would be much greater.

Attached is a Link from Google Maps with the routes. https://www.google.ca/maps/dir/Yarmo...6!2d45.6226605

If you leave Yarmouth say in the Morning, you could be in Antigonish at Lunch Time, Highway Speeds for the Most part are 100 to 110 kph, or roughly 65 to 70 mph. I would suggest if you are planning the same route home when you return to the US, take one of the routes say the #101 from Yarmouth to Halifax, and on the way home take the #103 from Halifax to Yarmouth. That way you can see more things.

I believe you said you have a day and a bit to get to Antigonish from Yarmouth, I would suggest you might want to stay in Halifax overnight, there is a lot to see there as well.

I hope this is of some help to you. Oh, I was in Fergus yesterday about a 40 minute run from Kitchener and I ordered my Farquharson Tartan Kilt. I should have it in about 8 weeks. Fergus is very much a Scottish Settled Town. Who knows, Maybe I'll get to the Games next year with all my Highland Wear.. Something to Plan on...

Take care,

Bill

[CollinMacD]

Bill,

Thank you so much for all your information, and I think that will be tapping more information from you as we go along. My cousin Shelia Boyd, has an aunt, who knows my MacDonald side of my family and hse lives very close to the Victoria Inn where we will be staying.

I will be there for the closing of the games, I plan to spend the whole week there, and during this time take some day trips to see where my family came from, Marydale, St. Andrews. and my grandmother side the Chisholm's from South River. Hope to do some family research and learn more about both sides.

One question, during the games to most people go kilted the entire time, should I take trousers too? Are there any formal diners to attend at the games, well any I can get invited too, would like to go to some more formal events when I am there.

Halifax, I know quite well, serving in the US Coast Guard we pulled into Halifax several times, Halifax and St. John's, Newfoundland were both home away from home. I am anxious just to get up to Antigonish, if I did stop off I would like to see the Bluenose or Peggy's Cove, are the close to each other?

I am hoping I still have relatives up there I can meet, after all it was only my Grandfather and his Sister who came to the US, rest stayed behind.

What are the best days to attend the games? What is the weather like? Appears you get rain.

When at the games, can you wear polo shirts with kilt? Are there any Jacobite Re-enactors there? Would it be improper to dress as Jacobite Living Historian? I have so many question, as I want to make sure I am not insulting or doing something wrong....

One other thing, my grandmother Chisholm's mother was a Mackintosh....I wonder if there is a connection....