Antigonish Highland Games

05/29/2026

05/29/2026

This should be one heck of a fun time for everyone! We're still looking for volunteers to help out with this event, so visit our signup.com page and lend a hand if you can!

🚴‍♂️ The Fiddlers Fondo: Keppoch’s Highland Grand Gravel Event 🚴‍♀️

ONLY 5 WEEKS AWAY! REGISTER TODAY!

Kick off Highland Games weekend with a ride through the scenic backroads, gravel routes, and trails surrounding Keppoch Mountain.

The Fiddlers Fondo is a community gravel cycling event designed for all ages and abilities — from family-friendly trail loops to endurance gravel challenges through the heart of Antigonish County. Riders will start and finish at Keppoch, helping launch the celebrations for the Antigonish Highland Games weekend.

📅 Sunday, July 5, 2026
⏰ Staged starts beginning at 9:00 AM (full schedule to follow)

Ride Options:

🚲 The Wee Highlander (~4–8 km)
A fun and accessible loop through Game Changer and Shindig Hollow trails — perfect for youth, families, and first-time riders. This is for the young and young at heart.

🚲 The Caber (~20 km)
A scenic backroad loop climbing Keppoch Mountain before returning through Ohio and St. Josephs.

🚲 The Thistle (~40 km)
An extended gravel adventure through Keppoch’s upper backroads and the rugged beauty of Antigonish County’s backcountry.

🚲 The Highlander (~60 km)
The signature endurance route featuring challenging gravel terrain and sweeping rural landscapes. Final route selection will depend on road conditions closer to the event.

🚵 Bike Recommendation:

Mountain bikes are welcomed and encouraged due to rugged terrain and mixed gravel conditions. Gravel bikes are also suitable with the right setup for loose surfaces and rough backroads.
Whether you’re riding for fun, fitness, or the challenge — join us for an unforgettable gravel cycling experience to start Highland Games weekend.

👉 Registration and event details: https://zone4.ca/register.asp?id=41771&lan=1&cartlevel=1

Antigonish Highland Games
Pete’s Cyclery and Outdoor Shop
Cycling Nova Scotia

05/29/2026

The next thank you we'd like to offer up goes to the incredible team at Antigonish Napa Autoparts, sponsors of the light hammer event!!! John and the amazing staff at Napa Autoparts are always willing to lend a hand, and they've got just about everything you will need to ensure your car stays safe and on the road! To the great staff and management of Napa Autoparts, we say THANK YOU!!!

When you're in need of replacement auto parts, tools, or accessories for your vehicle, NAPA Auto Parts in Antigonish is the place to go. Our parts specialists can help guide you in making the best selection from our wide range of high-quality replacement auto parts. From brake pads to cleaners, and batteries to motor oils, you can count on NAPA to have everything you need to keep your vehicle in perfect condition. Whether it's to repair, maintain or upgrade your vehicle, you'll find the products you need from all the best brands in the NAPA store near you. Order your parts online and get free shipping on orders over $75 or buy and reserve your parts online and pick up your order at your local NAPA store.

https://www.napacanada.com/en/ns/antigonish/store/1001258

05/29/2026

Margaret MacDonnell was a tremendous figure in our history, and this is a beautiful tribute to a formidable woman. We encourage any aspiring writers to submit their work!

Meal a naidheachd air buannaiche a' cho-fharpais bhàrdachd againn am bliadhna an ainm na Peathar Mairead NicDhòmhnaill. Am bliadhna, b' e sneachd no deigh cuspair a' cho-fharpais.
Congratulations to the winner of the 2026 Sister Margaret MacDonell Gaelic Poetry Contest. The theme of the contest this year was snow and/or ice.

Winner: Jay Hackney of Stillwater Lake, Nova Scotia
(See also Jay's translation below.)

Taigh sa Gheamhradh, le Deigh Hackney

Bha uisge ann an-raoir agus bha fuachd ann
a-nis sa mhadainn air mo mhullach tha fiaclan
fiaclan uilebheist no deigh gheur
agus chì mi feur
le daoimeanan deighe a’ deàrrsadh
anns a’ ghàrradh

An dìon mo thaigh mi bho spioradan san oidhche bho shìthichean leis na giallan mòra fosgailte
nuair a thig a’ ghrian
leaghaidh na fiaclan
anns a’ ghrèin bidh mo thaigh na thaigh fad an latha agus bidh mise dìreach nam dhuine gu bràth

House in Winter, by Jay Hackney

there was rain last night and there was cold
now this morning on my roof are teeth
teeth of a monster or sharp ice
and i can see grass
with ice diamonds sparkling
in the garden

Will my house
protect me from
spirits in the night
from fairies
with its big jaws gaping
when the sun comes
the teeth will melt

in the sun my house will be a house all day
and i will be just a man forever

05/28/2026

If you haven't already, please complete this quick survey!

We're exploring how Gaelic culture influences life in Nova Scotia—at home, in communities, and in the economy.

Share your experience and help us understand its impact. Take the survey at gaelicnssurvey.ca

05/28/2026

Today we'd like to thank another NEW Sponsor, lending their generous support from across the causeway! We are referring to the amazing folks at Protocase , sponsors of the Open Stone! The Open Stone requires competitors to throw a heavy stone from their shoulder, with the weight pressed against their face and neck until the moment it launches, similar to the technique used to throw a shot putt. There is a general weight that is used, however there is no standard size for the stone, as long as its the right size for the job. Just like the Open Stone, Protocase realized that some jobs required materials that don't match standard sizes, and so they developed a system of individualizing parts and tools that specifically meet your expectations. Their system of High Velocity Mass Customization allows you to get exactly the parts you need in shot order. They've been creating custom materials for over 20 years, and we couldn't be happier to have them on our team! To the staff and management of Protocase, we extend our heartfelt THANK YOU!!!

It sounds like magic. But under the hood of HVMC is more than 20 years of finely honed processes and systems.

HVMC breaks down custom designs into standardized, repeatable work elements that have been acutely refined. Our specially developed software snaps these work elements into place like building blocks, and creates a custom manufacturing sequence for your specific product.

Then, those work elements are executed within our unique scheduling system with zero latency, so your job gets worked on immediately.

The end result is your parts fly through our facilities at lightning speed, with the quality you’d think only possible from a mass producer. Save time in every part of your manufacturing process and meet your critical deadlines!

https://www.protocase.com/

05/28/2026

Well folks it's time to start getting your floats ready, dusting off your vintage car, and getting your application in for the Antigonish Highland Games Grand Main Street Parade! This event is arguably the most popular event of the year, and we can't wait to see all the incredible floats on display this July!

If you'd like to submit a float, simply visit our website, www.antigonishhighlandgames.ca, click the info tab, and selection registration forms. From there you will find the parade application! Just fill it out and send it to [email protected] and your spot will be reserved. Remember, you must submit an application to take part, so get yours in today!!!

05/28/2026

We cant wait to welcome you to the Antigonish Highland Games this July! If you haven't already, become a member of the AHS today! Becoming a member is quick, easy, and FREE! You will receive exclusive updates on all things AHS, and receive member discounts on tickets to many of our events! Just visit antigonishhighlandgames.ca and click on the society tab, and click membership! All are welcome to the family, and we appreciate the incredible support!!!

05/27/2026

We can barely wait to welcome all these fine performers into our community this July! The 161st Antigonish Highland Games are going to be one of our best yet, and we want you to join in all the fun! Tickets are available now, just visit antigonishhighlandgames.ca and click the ticket tab to get yours today!!!

Special thanks to all of our great sponsors for Piping and Drumming, and of course our presenting sponsor, MacLeod Cares !!! We hope to see you all on the field!!!

05/27/2026

Today we'd like to thank a NEW Sponsor, the great folks at , sponsors of the New Scotland Open! The New Scotland Open, as the name might suggest, is a showcase of the best that Nova Scotia has to offer! The same can be said of the staff and management of Strum Consulting, who are a collection of the finest engineers, technicians, and industry experts in our fair province. Strum has been involved in numerous major projects throughout the province and beyond, and we can't thank them enough for their creativity, ingenuity, and above all, the exceptional support they provide to community organizations like us. To the entire staff and management of Strum Consulting, we say THANK YOU!!!

Since its incorporation in 1995, Strum has been a leading provider of engineering, surveying, and environmental services for corporate, private, and government clients throughout Atlantic Canada. Our 200 specialists, including engineers, environmental site professionals, hydrogeologists, environmental scientists, surveyors, technicians, project managers, and support staff, are a results-driven team dedicated to delivering solutions for
every project we undertake.

Our commitment to excellence is what sets us apart. We work hard to ensure that projects are completed efficiently, cost-effectively, and with the utmost attention to detail. Partnering with Strum means partnering with a company dedicated to delivering top-quality results. Our team’s expertise ensures that we provide our clients with the best service possible. We take pride in our work and strive to exceed the expectations of our clients on every project.

Choosing Strum for your next engineering, surveying, or environmental project means you’ll experience confidence from working with a passionate and leading team of scientists, engineers, and technologists.

https://strum.com/