10 Reasons to Visit the Greater Moncton Highland Games

10. Catch a surfer on the Tidal Bore

A what now? It’s a Maritime phenomenon. The Tidal Bore is the name given to a massive wave that makes its way down the Petitcodiac River twice a day, thanks to the immense tides of the Bay of Fundy. These are the highest tides in the world! The Petitcodiac River rises as much as 75 metres (or 25 feet) in a short burst of time, creating an epic wave that flows through between the City of Moncton and the Town of Riverview – right behind the Hal Betts Sportsplex, where the annual Greater Moncton Highland Games & Scottish Festival are held. The Tidal Bore is known to attract adventurous surfers from around the world!

9. Meet a Highland Cow

Who doesn’t love a coo? There are always a few local Highland Cows on site as part of the petting zoo. It’s one of many family-friendly elements of the Greater Moncton Highland Games & Scottish Festival, including bouncy castles, face painting, horse and wagon rides, and much, much more!

8. Watch someone throw a Tree Trunk

Okay, not exactly. But the caber toss is a highlight of the heavy events and involves the competitors lifting a 20-foot log in their hands and running with it before trying to flip it end over end – while wearing a kilt, of course. And in 2022, the people trying this will be some of the best in the whole world!

The Greater Moncton Highland Games & Scottish Festival is the Host Games for the 2022 SMAI Masters World Championships. The top heavy events athletes (over the age of 40) from around the globe are coming to compete. It’s going to be an incredible time!

7. Cheer on the Sheep

Or maybe you’ll cheer for the collie dogs? Each year local sheep dogs show off their herding skills on site, with demonstrations ongoing throughout the day. You can follow the woolly process from sheep to shawl, with shearing and weaving demonstrations on site, too.

6. Eat Haggis & Drink Local

Whether it’s the Haggis Poutine or an Alma Lobster roll, you’re sure to find something purely Scottish Canadian to enjoy at the Greater Moncton Highland Games! In 2022, the one-and-only Kilted Chef, Alain Bossé, will hold hourly demonstrations on site to showcase the best in East Coast cuisine with his perfect mix of Acadian and Scottish flair. Follow that with a Gin Garden Party or Whisky Tasting with New Brunswick’s own Whisky Lassie, Johanne McInnis, or explore the many local craft breweries and distilleries in the market.

5. Channel your inner Merida

The Brave heroine might not be on site, but there will be archers with bows at the ready for you to try. This is always a favourite stop for young and old! There are also fly casting and axe throwing demonstrations to try, too.

4. Delve into history

The evolution of tartan in fashion, Scottish ghost stories, clan crests & heraldry, Scottish Country Dance, Gaelic songs and more will be discussed in the Workshop Tent during the 2022 Greater Moncton Highland Games & Scottish Festival. The New Brunswick Genealogical Society will be on hand, along with representatives from Clans around North America.

3. Brandish a Broadsword

Please, if you own your own broadsword, don’t just bring it to the field – unless you’ve signed up for the Maritime Sword School’s competition, of course. This fairly new organization is working to bring back a centuries-old practice of learning the art of swordsmanship with the introduction of single stick competitions.

2. Meet Michael Yellowlees, the Scot who walked across Canada

Dunkeld’s Michael and his canine companion, Luna, trekked from British Columbia to Newfoundland in 2021, a journey of more than 5,000 miles. The pair raised more than $83, 000 for Trees for Life, an organization working to restore the Ancient Caledonian Pine Forest in the Scottish Highlands. Michael is the 2022 Honorary Chieftain for the Greater Moncton Highland Games & Scottish Festival.

1. Get your toes tapping & your hands clapping!

The Greater Moncton Highland Games & Scottish Festival is FILLED with music! There are massed pipe bands during the opening and closing ceremonies; this is when all of the pipe bands march together across the field – impressive! In 2022, there are TWO entertainment stages with music all weekend long and special performances by the RCMP Pipes & Drums of New Brunswick & Nova Scotia. The Highlands Stage on Saturday night will be the main focus, with Acadian/Scottish trio Les Fireflies, The American Rogues, and The Barra MacNeils all performing under the stars!