Come and join us for a wonderful evening beneath the stars as we host the Gathering of the Clans and the Lightin’ of the Hearth on our Main Field; a stunning start to an incredible weekend together! We are always excited for the communal singing of our National Anthem with our honoured guests and talented pipe and drum bands. Our Tattoo’d in Tradition ceremony honours the traditions of Scotland’s past and celebrates Scottish culture in Canada.
Have you ever wondered about the word tattoo? In the seventeenth century, when British troops served in Holland, it was the custom for a drummer to march through the streets beating his drum to warn the troops that it was time to leave the taverns and return to their billets for the night. Dutch innkeepers, at the sound of the drum, would “doe den tap toe” or ” turn off the taps”, the local equivalent of “Last Call”.
In English, “tap toe” became tattoo, and gradually, the drummer would be accompanied by a bugle player or a piper. Such groups were the beginnings of the regimental band. What started as a practical daily routine in army life is today the military tattoo, a show featuring the lively rhythm of marching bands, elegant dances, the stirring cadence of the pipes and drums, and breathtaking military displays.
Enjoy a sneak peek of some of the events and attractions scheduled for the weekend!
The Fergus Scottish Festival & Highland Games is honoured that David Leask wrote a song dedicated to our Festival and community. The song is entitled The Tartan Kiss. David has been a long time performer at the Festival. You will have the great fortune to witness a very memorable & special performance of this song at our tattoo. This performance was a collaboration from the talented David Leask along with the amazing choreography of Sandra Bald Jones and Dana Gamache of Sandra Bald Jones Dance Studio. LISTEN TO IT: www.davidleask.com/tartankiss
***FRIDAY NIGHT TATTOO INCLUDED IN YOUR FRIDAY/WEEKEND PASS!!!***
Clans
Legion Color Guard
Massed Pipe & Drum Bands
Fergus Brass Band
Heavies Demonstration
Tommy Leadbeater
Guelph Pipe Band 100th Anniversary Performance featuring Steel City Rovers
Remembrance Caber Salute
The Tartan Kiss – David Leask & Sandra Bald Jones
Clans
World Class Fireworks
The Guelph Pipe Band:
The Guelph Pipe Band is celebrating its 100th year of continuous operation and performances. Over its 100 year history the band has made a name for itself in pipe band circles as an innovative musical powerhouse that pioneered technical and musical developments in pipe bands. It was one of the earliest bands to travel to Scotland to compete at the World Pipe Band Championships and was one of the first top grade bands to include women in its ranks. This year the Fergus Scottish Festival & Highland Games is honored to have a special feature with The Guelph Pipe Band and featured guest Steel City Rovers
