Highland Games will paint the town tartan

One of Canada’s former top cops is on the island as Bermuda gears up for its second Highland Games.

Ex-Royal Canadian Mounted Police Assistant Commissioner Graham Muir has joined the RCMP Pipe Band as it tunes up to perform at Saturday’s Caledonian extravaganza.

And — in the week running up to tomorrow’s grand finale Highland Games at Saltus Field in Pembroke, Highland dancers and pipers have been painting the island tartan.

The Games kick off with a parade leaving City Hall in Hamilton at 2:30pm and travelling to Saltus Field.

The parade will be led by Scottish Governor George Fergusson and wife Margaret in the ceremonial horse and carriage.

Honour

They will be followed by the RCMP Halifax Division Pipe Band, escorted by riders from the Bermuda Hunt Club.

And Highland dancers will today stage a lunchtime performance of their art on the steps of City Hall, while a glittering ceilidh, a feast of traditional Scottish dancing, will be held at the Hamilton Princess tonight, preceded by a Happy Hour performance by pipers.

Ian Hind, secretary of the Caledonian Society, which organised the event,  said: “It’s a great honour and everything is going extremely well — everybody has now arrived and everything has worked.

“All our guests are saying this is an amazing place — we’ve given them all their first dark ‘n’ stormies and they’re already performing.

Some of the 82 performers from four different overseas groups, including the RCMP Pipe Band, will also join in tomorrow’s parade to celebrate the Queen’s Birthday.

A piper, drummer and Highland dancers have been touring local schools all week to give pupils a taste of traditional Scottish culture.

Brilliant

Mr Hind said: “It’s all generating a lot of positive publicity for both the island and Scotland and the response from the public has been absolutely brilliant.

“The word is definitely getting out there. This is only our second year and we’re seeing something which will have long legs and will be a feature in the calendar of Bermuda for many years to come.”

The programme of events at Saltus Field will continue into the evening, featuring traditional events like tossing the caber — a tree trunk — hammer throwing, the shot putt, races and a tug o’war.

Mr Hind added that the Highland dancing competition has had to be started at 10am on Saturday to get through all the entrants.

Caledonian Society of Bermuda past president Scott Devine said: “The society has worked long and hard to promote all things Scottish in Bermuda and the Highland Games is the ultimate Scottish event.

“We look forward to welcoming the entire island to Saltus Field to sample traditional Scottish food and games.”

Spectacle 

He added: “The day is shaping up to be a great spectacle and lots of fun for the entire family. We hope people will come out and enjoy a great day of fun, games and all things Scottish.”

Saltus Field, in addition to food stalls, will also feature an extensive “kiddie land” to entertain youngsters, while spectators will be invited to become participants in a series of fun races — including a “kilted dash.”

For more information, visit www.caledoniansocietyofbermuda.com. To buy corporate hospitality packages or become a sponsor, contact event planner Elizabeth Ward at [email protected] or call 704 0631. n

EDITOR’S NOTE: Bermuda Sun reporter Raymond Hainey is Scottish,  as well as a volunteer soldier in the Bermuda Regiment.