Lady MacGregor of MacGregor – otherwise known as British writer and broadcaster Fiona Armstrong – works for ITV news and current affairs. Fiona’s husband is the Chief of Clan Gregor, Sir Malcolm MacGregor of MacGregor. She is an active member of Clan Armstrong, so their lives are interwoven with all things tartan. The couple live in the Scottish Borderlands, although filming and writing takes Fiona all over Scotland.
Greetings! Not from Scotland this time – but from across the pond… The MacGregor and I are in Canada and guests at the country’s biggest clan gathering. 58 clans are represented. It is a sell-out crowd. What a weekend! This is the 80th Fergus Scottish Festival & Highland Games, and it has it all. Heavy event athletes, Highland dancers, pipe bands, tartan and kilts… As they say: ‘80 years of Scotland without the airfare.’
It is a milestone anniversary and the weather is hot. How apt then that the Red Hot Chilli Pipers are among those topping the bill. Bagpipes with attitude, as they say. There is a blast from the past with Scotland’s original boy band. It is the Bay City Rollers, complete with songs like Bye Bye Baby and Shang a Lang – and still going strong fifty years on.
Then the past is all around. Not least with the re-enactment group, the Atholl Brigade Recreated. These are Jacobite soldiers, and whilst they look somewhat scary, they are most hospitable. Their womenfolk invite visiting chiefs into their tent to eat cheese and biscuits and drink lemonade and whisky. The fare is delicious, yet they apologise for its simplicity. On another day they would be roasting a hog on a fire, but this year flames are not allowed because of the fear of wildfires.
Official guests
But who are these guest chiefs? The MacGregor is there as Convenor of the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs. Then there is the Fraser Chief, Lady Saltoun, and her son, Alexander Fraser, the Master of Saltoun. Sir Alexander Matheson of Matheson is present. Steven MacTavish of Dunadry is there, too. As is the Vice Convenor of the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs, Viscount Andrew Morrison. Yes, there’s no shortage of chiefs, and feathers further abound, with Commanders Robert Currie, Richard Baird of Riccarton and Michael McAlpin.
With time to explore, we make our way through the festival grounds. Past the whisky village and the tea tent. Past the Sugar Shack and the British Baked Goods vans. Flags fly, bonnets abound. Then there is another journey back in time with the Outlander tent. One of the series stars, the actor who plays William Ransom is there and he is utterly charming. Charles Vandervaart is a local lad, and I confess I am a wee bit starstruck. It seems I am not alone. The ladies queue up to have their picture taken with him – whilst others vie to be seen with another famous face.
The Lord Lyon King of Arms is the Chieftain of the games. He is the person who officially opens the festival, and he does it in style. Dr Joe Morrow is Scotland’s ultimate authority on coats of arms and heraldry. He is highly learned and amusing, and as such, is incredibly popular on the clan circuit.
Yes, Joe is always much in demand. Not least to judge the clan tents. After a visit to all 58, he decides the winning prize must go to the Frasers – with Clan Gregor a close runner-up. It is no surprise that we get a mention. Because our own tent is a tartan triumph. Inside tartan and heather abound, with an amazing timeline that shows our Scottish and Canadian clan histories. There is a team photo as clansmen and women arrive for a meet and greet breakfast.
Deep Scottish roots
The Canadian chapter of the Clan Gregor Society was started more than a decade ago by Wayne MacGregor Parker, and under his guidance, it has truly blossomed. We exchange news and eat home-made scones and muffins. Then there is a delightful interlude. A nine-year-old boy in a Macgregor kilt approaches with his parents and asks to play for the MacGregor. His name is Callum, and he is the youngest piper in the Rob Roy Pipe Band from Kingston, Ontario and one of Canada’s oldest. The young man is loaned a chieftain’s bonnet for the occasion.
What a weekend! We are so warmly welcomed. Then the town of Fergus has deep Scottish roots. Indeed, it got its name from one of its Scottish founders, Adam Fergusson. From the memorable ride down St Andrew Street in a carriage pulled by Clydesdale horses, to the delicious dinner at the Breadalbane Inn. From the mass Highland dances performed by the young, to the pipe and drum bands that kept us utterly enthralled.
Thank you, Fergus, and thank you Canada! We would love to come back…
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