Immerse yourself in Scottish culture, craftmanship and pageantry
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Clans
Clan registration is OPEN NOW!
The Fergus Scottish Festival is proud to host many Clan Societies who will help you understand the clan system and your clan in particular.
If you are wearing Highland dress you are welcome to participate with your clan. Why not join the Clan Society?
Baird, Campbell, Davidson, Donald, Farquharson, Fergusson, Fraser, Gordon, Gregor, Gunn, Hay, Hunter, Irwin, Johnston/e, Lamont, Lennox, Logan, MacAlpine, MacAulay, MacBeth, MacDougall, MacEwen, MacFarlane, MacKintosh, MacLaren, MacLean, MacLellan, MacNeil, MacQuarrie, MacRae, MacTavish, Murray, Shaw, Sutherland, Young
Barclay, Cameron, Carruthers, Donnachaidh, Elliot, Kennedy, MacKay, MacKenzie, MacLennan, MacLeod, Munro, Wallace
Best Clan Trophy Winners
2022
Donnachaidh
2019
Gray
2018
Fraser
2017
Logan
Clan Dignitaries Attending
Our Honoured Chieftain for 2023
Sir Adam Fergusson of Kilkerran, 10th Baronet
Following the death of his father, Sir Charles Fergusson, 9th Baronet, in March 2021, Sir Adam became the 10th Baronet, Chief of the name Fergusson. He was born in Scotland in 1962 and educated in Scotland and England. Following receipt of a degree from the University of Aberdeen, Sir Adam attended the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst and was commissioned into the Army Air Corps. He served for sixteen years as an officer and helicopter pilot with tours of duty in England, Northern Ireland, Germany, Bosnia and Scotland. On leaving the army in 2001 he lived in Scotland and gained an Air Transport Pilot’s Licence for aeroplanes and helicopters. He flew Boeing 757 and 767 aircraft for a British charter airline until 2013 after which he took up his present role flying air ambulance and police helicopters. Sir Adam is married with three children and two grandchildren.
Chief Steven Edward Dugald MacTavish of Dunardry
Steven Edward Dugald MacTavish was born in Montréal, Quebec, Canada on February 19, 1951. His parents were Stewart Edward Dugald MacTavish (26th Chief of Clan MacTavish) and Shirley Eileen Ferris of Halifax, Nova Scotia. In June of 2005, Steven MacTavish succeeded his father as the 27th Chief.
His work career includes extensive experience in the transportation and warehousing industries, and most recently, owning two franchised retail pet food stores.
Now retired, he has many and varied hobbies and he also spends time dabbling in documenting his maternal grandmother's family tree. As Chief of Clan MacTavish, he is proud and honoured to have the privilege to continue to serve his clan members and the members of Clan MacTavish are proud and honoured to have a 'working Chief '.
Performance Tent
Gaelic Lessons and Fun with Gillie and Chris
Both Gillebride and Christine were born in the Outer Hebrides, Gillebride on South Uist and Christine on the Isle of Lewis. They were both raised with Gaelic as there first language.
You may know Gillebride as one of the stars of the Outlander television series and Christine is the First Chieftain of the Toronto Gaelic Society.
All of which makes them both eminently qualified to introduce you to their native tongue while having some fun and singing along the way.
Come learn a little of the language and enjoy some old Scottish.
Learn all about the great Highland bag pipe and how it works!
Tyler Bridge is a graduate of the University of Guelph Music Program. He is also an accomplished piper, having started learning the bagpipes at age 5.
In September of 2013 Tyler took over as Pipe Major of the Guelph Pipe Band and now instructs and leads the band in competitions and performances throughout the year. Tyler was a member of the 48th Highlanders of Canada from 2008-2015 and performed with them throughout North America and in Scotland.
Tyler is an active competitive solo piper and his accomplishments have moved him into the top professional level in Ontario.
Listen as Tyler explains his instrument, the great Highland bag pipe and what a player has to know to be competent and also listen to his excellent playing.
Tyler Bridge is a graduate of the University of Guelph Music Program. He is also an accomplished piper, having started learning the bagpipes at age 5.
In September of 2013 Tyler took over as Pipe Major of the Guelph Pipe Band and now instructs and leads the band in competitions and performances throughout the year. Tyler was a member of the 48th Highlanders of Canada from 2008-2015 and performed with them throughout North America and in Scotland.
Tyler is an active competitive solo piper and his accomplishments have moved him into the top professional level in Ontario.
Listen as Tyler explains his instrument, the great Highland bag pipe and what a player has to know to be competent and also listen to his excellent playing.
Hodden Grey – Book by Anthony Partington
Anthony (Tony) Partington grew up in St Catharines, Ontario, and obtained an honours BSc in civil engineering from Queen’s University and an MBA from York University. As a construction manager, Tony supervised major projects in Calgary, Toronto, and New York, and lastly Canary Wharf in London, England. His 20 years in London piqued his interest in British and European history.
Early in his career, Tony served in the Toronto Scottish Regiment. After retirement, he became president of its regimental association and was often asked: “Why is solid-colour hodden grey classed as a tartan?” and “Why is brown called ‘grey’?” He realized that the modern, multicultural regiment should learn about the cloth’s ancient, multicultural origins. The full extent of the story of Hodden Grey and its ancestors from antiquity to modern day is told in Hodden Grey: From Scottish Homespun to Modern Battledress.
The Kilt
Peter Hummel is a local resident of Fergus, Ontario. He is an avid bagpiper, teaches bagpiping and is a member of the Guelph Pipe Band. As a side gig, for the past 10 years Peter has also owned his own business, Canadian Casual Kilts, making individually unique kilts. Having over 30 kilts of his own, Peter has also made these pleated tartan garments for celebrities such as the WWE wrestlers the Highlanders, the Mudmen and Ron McLean of Hockey Night In Canada. His passion for Scottish culture is embraced not only through his music but his kiltmaking, connecting the rich history and tradition of Scotland with a modern twist. Listen and watch Peter as he explains the types of kilts and how they are made.
Societies at the Festival
Centre for Scottish Studies University of Guelph – College of Art
The Centre for Scottish Studies at the University of Guelph is the oldest and most eminent academic unit in North America to carry out research, graduate training and teaching on Scottish history and Scottish culture, with special emphasis on their global dimensions. Our graduate program was founded in 1968 and we are proud to host special events and public lectures that presents current research by graduate students and scholars from Scotland, Canada and elsewhere around the world.
The Ontario Genealogical Society: Ontario Ancestors
Discover your Scottish heritage with a visit to our genealogy tent. Members of the Ontario Genealogical Society and other independent genealogical researchers can help you start on the path of research, or help guide you as you progress through your family discoveries. They can suggest, and show you, many of the online tools available to research and store your ancestor’s information, as well as explain the many resources available through the OGS.
Gaelic Society of Toronto
https://www.gaelicsocietytoronto.com/
The Gaelic Society of Toronto was formed with the goal of keeping alive knowledge of the Gaelic language and culture and connecting Gaelic-speaking people in Toronto and surrounding areas. Throughout the changes in its structure over the years, the Society continues to support and sustain Gaelic language, history, culture, and community in various ways, either through the direct activities of the Society by supporting the efforts of others who also seek to sustain and promote the Gaelic language and culture.
The St Andrew’s Society of Toronto
The St. Andrew’s Society of Toronto has been celebrating Scottish culture and supporting local charities since 1836.
Their vision is to celebrate Scotland’s contributions to Canada and the world, recognize achievements by Canadians of Scottish heritage and preserve these legacies for future generations.
Clans and Scottish Societies of Canada
CASSOC is an organization for organizations.
The organization creates links between various Clans and Scottish Societies, encourages the celebration of our Scottish Cultural Heritage and the promotion of this Scottish Culture in all its aspects and seeks to be the assembly of all groups who are pursuing Scottish interests.
Scottish Studies Foundation
https://www.scottishstudies.com/
THE SCOTTISH STUDIES FOUNDATION is a registered charitable organization dedicated to advancing the study of Scottish history and culture, including its many Canadian dimensions. In 2004 they endowed the landmark Scottish Studies Foundation Chair of Scottish Studies at the University of Guelph — the acclaimed academic centre in North America for research, graduate training, and teaching on Scottish history and culture. They also support students through Scottish Studies scholarships and sponsor conferences and cultural events.
Outdoor Displays
Sheep Shearing
This year our veteran shearer, Tom Redpath has teamed up with the Guelph Guild of Handweavers and Spinners to demonstrate the fascinating process of turning freshly shorn wool into wearable apparel. The team will shear the sheep, card the wool, spin the wool into yarn, and then weave that yarn into an award-winning shawl, all within the time of the Festival.
See the Heilan Coos!
Come visit with our small herd of Highland Cattle, courtesy of Mark Scharringa of the MCCattle Company of Arriss, Ontario. The Highland is a Scottish breed of rustic cattle, originating in the Scottish Highlands and the Outer Hebrides. It is a hardy breed, able to withstand the intemperate conditions in the region. Highlands are raised primarily for their meat, which is growing in popularity due to being lower in cholesterol than other forms of beef.
Jacobite Encampment
The Soldiers of the ’45, and friends, historic re-enactors, bring to life a patrol camp of the Atholl Brigade, an important part of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s forces during the Jacobite uprising of 1745. The encampment will include craftsmen and smiths, soldiers and their wives and children and Highland gentry, all gathered together to fight for the return of the House of Stuart to the Scottish throne.
Blacksmithing
Try your hand at swinging a hammer to forge hot metal, just like the settlers did! Our team of talented blacksmiths have graciously returned to teach and demonstrate the skills used since ironworking began. Hands-on instruction will be given to those who dare to deliver the hammer’s blow; safety will be ensured for all who participate.
Craft Tent
Hundreds of thousands of Scots have emigrated to Canada since the late 18th century, seeking opportunities across the Atlantic. Settling throughout Canada, they brought with them many of the time honoured skills and crafts from the old country. In our craft tent you can observe a number of the skills practiced by the women who had to experience the harsh environment of pioneers, but maintained skills learned from their ancestors.
Embroidery
The Canadian Embroiderers Guild Guelph is a teaching guild focusing on both traditional and contemporary embroidery. They provide classes such as introductory stitching, wool applique, goldwork, and other forms of surface stitching. The Guild organizes a variety of afternoon speakers and hands on workshops. In addition they have an extensive library of stitching resources.
https://cegguelph.ca/
Celtic Counter Cross Stitch
Ruach Crafts is an online needlework shop that specializes in Celtic needlework kits and patterns. Watch them as they produce these fascinating patterns.
https://ruachcrafts.com/
Quilting
The Grand Quilt Guild has been in existence since the fall of 1996. The group meets from September to June with guest speakers for most of the meetings. They run workshops, sewing and quilting days and a very active community outreach program making quilts, having donated 383 quilts since the fall of 2021.
Royal City Lacemakers
Bobbin lacemaking is the art of twisting and plaiting of threads on a pillow to be woven into a piece of lace as well as lace worked in separate parts which are joined when completed. There are many types of bobbin lace, often named after the region in which they were first created.
Spinners and Weavers
The Guelph Guild of Handweavers and Spinners is a group of fibre enthusiasts who gather to share their love of the craft. With a focus on learning and sharing knowledge and passion, they meet throughout the year in person and virtually. Hosting meetings, presentations, study groups and workshops the guild is about coming together with a common interest. Fibre crafts are the link that draws this diverse group of people together.
FAQ & General Info
General questions about Festival weekend?
Visit our General Information and FAQ’s page!
