One of North America’s largest Scottish festivals, featuring pipe band competitions, heavy athletics, and traditional Scottish music.

Since the first Games were held in 1948, the people of Glengarry have extended close to a million welcomes to visitors who come to see what is estimated to be one of the largest Highland Games in the world. Thousands of people find themselves drawn each year to Maxville to witness an outstanding display of music, dance, sports, fiddling, pageantry, and tradition

Games History

The first Glengarry Highland Games were created in 1948 by a small group of local businessmen who wanted to ensure that the Scottish traditions would not be lost by the younger generations. To their surprise, their little event attracted close to 10,000 people who flooded the small farming community of Maxville. As they say, the rest is history.

In 1948, when the first Games organizers decided to revive the traditional sporting and cultural events of their Scottish ancestors, little did they think that over 75 years later, tens of thousands would still be trekking to Maxville on the long summer holiday weekend.

Eight pipe bands competed at the first Glengarry Highland Games in 1948 and today, the Games can boast of hosting the largest massed pipe bands in North America with bands that have numbered over seventy.

The Glengarry Highland Games are held each year at 34 Fair Street, Maxville, Ontario.

Friday, August 1, 2025 - Saturday, August 2, 2025