I have been taking a new route to the office since the beginning of August. For the past 5 years I have taken mostly back-roads and a Parkway to travel from our home to downtown. Our office was re-located to the south east end of town and so now the easiest way to get to work is via the 174/417. It was during my new drive in that I started to notice these Sunflowers along the side of the 174 just before Montreal Rd. The move at the office and life in general kept me from heading out to take some photos for almost 3 week. Here are a few of my favorites and a shot of my wonderful photo assistant.
If you have been reading along since the beginning, you will know that I have Scottish roots.
Maxville, Ontario, a little town of about 900 people that is 45 minutes east of Ottawa, is home to many Scottish settlers from days gone by. Many families, including my own came to the Glengarry area directly from Scotland back in the early 1800’s. My ancestors emigrated from Glenelg, Inverness-Shire.
My ancestors farmed the land just outside of Maxville for several generations before my grandfather moved the family into the town proper to own and run the hardware store. He and several other businessmen put up some money to the help organize the first Maxville/Glengarry Highland games and 71 years on these games have turned out to be one the largest Highland Games in North America.
I have played both the Pipes and Drums in these and other highland games in and around the Ottawa area. But playing the pipes at these games, in front of my extended family was and is still one of my best memories.
Please enjoy these few photos from the games this year
Just looking at this makes me hungry.
Something for everyone
Jim of The Sons of Scotland Pipe Band
Garth Hampson – sings the 3 national anthems like no one else. A great all round nice guy too!
At the start of the day, highland dancers encircle the field and do a massed highland fling. A crowd pleasing start to the day every year.
The guest of honour this year. Captain Bob Pearson, a true Canadian hero who saved 61 passengers when the 767 he was piloting ran out of fuel. He glided the 767 down from 41,000 feet to Gimli, Manitoba with out a serious injury and no loss of life.
The RCMP Pipes and Drums – National Division.
RCMP Pipes and Drums – playing at the halt
78th Highlanders from Halifax, Nova Scotia
The Grandstand and playing field from the eastern mound.
