Walk Slowly and Bow Often: Antigonish

July 13, 2013

Antigonish is home to St. Francis Xavier University where Gaelic is studied, and the location of the oldest continuous Highland games outside of Scotland. It is approximately one hundred miles northeast of Halifax near Cape Breton Island.

The first Antigonish Highland Games were held in 1863 making 2013 the 150th anniversary; the Games are a showcase for Scottish culture.

I saw this sign from 1899 in the local museum.

Also in the museum a photo of these lovely girls from long ago in their Scottish dance costumes.

Today I photographed these lovely five year olds, probably descendants of the above. That little girl on the far right from Antigonish won all the first place medals.

There she is marching down for another medal while the others check over their new too-big packs.

Not far from the site of the Games is one of my favorite public libraries ever.
"The People's Place" is written over the counter, and the place is welcoming to all.

Out front of the Antigonish Library is this clever and appealing art piece.

Inside there is lots of art.

OK, that's not the only great library in this town. At the nearby St. Francis Xavier University is the Angus MacDonald Library which I visited to see the Hall of the Clans.

Inside I found a large display of books on the area.

This whole book is about the Acadian French Broussards (Brassards) who are major players in Canadian history.

The Parade this morning opened with the Royal Canadian Mounties.

Several Pipe Bands performed in the parade including the 78th Highlanders Halifax Citadel Pipe Band, the Fredericton Society of Saint Andrew Pipe Band, the Dartmouth & District Pipe Band and the College of Piping Pipe Band from Prince Edward Island. They were wonderful to hear and watch.

And suddenly there was a huge tractor.

and a grocery delivery truck.

Here is a view of the Field from the bleachers and the main stage to the left where all day costumed girls competed for medals and trophies dancing The Highland Fling, The Sword Dance, Flora MacDonald's Fancy, and other Highland Dances.

The Tug-of-War competition was a surprise!

This sport was re-introduced to the Games in 2005. Here are some of the rules:
1. All teams report for weigh-in 1 hour prior to pulling.
2. Men's teams consist of 10 pullers at 1700 lbs. Women's teams consist of 10 pullers at 1450 lbs.
3. Time Limits: Men's: 15 minutes; Women's 8 minutes
4. The team with the most rope over the center line at the end of the time limit will be the winner.
5. Hip or knee locks are not permitted.
The last rule is this: In keeping with the traditions and standards of our Highland Games and the close proximity to spectators, coaches and pullers should be mindful of coarse language and unsportsmanlike behavior.

So there you have it if you should decide to try this sport at home.

Which team of women won? Black won over red.

In the men's contest these were the winners.

This pole is the Caber. You pick it up then toss the top to the ground making the end in your hands flip up and over ending in 12 o'clock position. Only one man was able to do it: Dan McKim from Kansas City, Missouri, 6' 5", 300 lbs.