Welcome to the Village of Pugwash

Gathering of the Clans

established 1951

Ciad mìle fàilte

A hundred thousand welcomes

*** Monday, July 2nd, 2012 ***

Playing this year:

LENNIE GALLANT

Maritimers love to party and Pugwash is no exception. Canada Day, July 2nd, kicks off our summer of parties with the Gathering of the Clans. This event is the first Highland celebration of the season. It is a party, Scottish style, with piping, drumming, highland dancing, highland games, artisans, midway, concerts, food and artisan vendors and stupendous fireworks display at dusk.

The Grand Parade winds its way along streets lined with throngs of people. We fill our parade with pipe and drum bands, floats, fire trucks, clowns, horses and surprises.

Early in the morning, local and international highland dancers take to the Eaton Park stage for ScotDance sanctioned competions. Lovers of Pipes and Drums will enjoy the ACPBA sanctioned competitions on the grounds of the historic Eaton Lodge. At the Cyrus Eaton Elementary School, steely muscled men dressed in their kilts, toss the caber and compete in other highland games. Many of these competitors are Canadian and international champions at their sport

The official opening is at 2 pm in Eaton Park, when local, Provincial and Federal representatives are led to the stage by a bagpiper to officially declare the Gathering of the Clans open!

Enjoy a wide range of food and then take in a wonderful afternoon of entertainment in Eaton Park. Wrap up the day by attending the evening's special stage show featuring the best of Maritime musicians and a spectacular fireworks display over the waters of Pugwash Harbour.

2012 will celebrate the 61st anniversary of the Gathering of the Clans. This Scottish festival started in 1951 when four local men, Bill Wilson, Bill Fillmore, Alex Walsh and Herbert Smith wanted a way to mark Dominion Day. The organizers had as their primary objectives, a good time and fundraising for the Red Cross Hospital. The Gathering became renowned for its highland dancing competition. In 1957, an Act of Nova Scotia Legislature incorporated the "Gathering of the Clans and Fisherman's Regatta."

Though Dominion Day is now called Canada Day, the Gathering of the Clans' objective remains the same: fun for the family and fundraising for the community. Monies collected from the small entrance fee helps support our local hospital, library, volunteer fire department and school projects, etc.

The Gathering of the Clans is held every July 1st, unless, like this year, that falls on a Sunday. In order for the least disruption of church services and to still enjoy the whole day of events and competitions, we will celebrate on Monday, July 2nd.

Everyone is welcome - come out and help us celebrate the 61st Gathering of the Clans in beautiful Pugwash by the sea!