The 41st annual North Lanark Highland Games took place in Almonte on Saturday to celebrate Scottish culture and traditions. All ages competed in what is recognized as one of the Ottawa Valley’s premier summer events. The games traditionally takes place the fourth Saturday of August. “Competition is a big thing. We’re a dancing competition. Scottish heavy event,” said Neil Lowry, athletic and corporate sponsorship director of the North Lanark Highland Games. “A great time, a really good time. There’s stuff for everybody here.” The event is attracting about 3,000 visitors this weekend, according to organizers. “[We have] Scottish blood, so of course we’d have to be here. It’s just so fun,” said attendee Trish Buchanan. About 30 pipe and drum bands are competing with 125 dancers and professional athletes in heavyweight competitions taking centre stage. “This is my 20th year competing in the Highland Games,” said athlete Jason Baines. “It’s community camaraderie. We love the competition. We love to throw but it is a beautiful sense of community, it’s super inclusive.” Lorne Colthart, winner of the heavyweight event last year, is back to see if he can reclaim his title. “I just come to enjoy it. I don’t take it too seriously. I used to take it a little bit more seriously but it’s more just for the fun,” said Colthart. Colthart says it’s about the camaraderie between all of the athletes. He grew up competing in Scotland and moved to Ottawa in 2017. He’s been competing for more than 20 years. “I used to do probably 35 a year. The transition over here was different. You wait, maybe three or four weeks between comps,” said Colthart. Colhart says teaching his sons about the culture means a lot to him “They’re going to be competing today. They’re keen and we’ll just see how they go,” he said. “They can throw things. They like to throw everything in the house or outside or anywhere. They’re enjoying it.”
