Federal government funding for Scottish Festival which opens Friday

Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb was in Kincardine last week, bearing funds for the Kincardine Scottish Festival and Highland Games which runs this weekend at Victoria Park and Robinson Park.

The 16th annual festival received $7,500 in funding to help the three-day event which includes a series of live music performances featuring local headliners, step dance and Scottish fiddling workshops, as well as other activities reflecting Scottish heritage in the area.

“I am proud that our government is investing in this annual community event,” said Lobb. “By partnering with the Kincardine Scottish Festival and Highland Games, it helps to boost tourism, support the local economy and help build stronger, more vibrant communities.”

"We are delighted to receive help from Canadian Heritage which enables us to bring the high quality of entertainment, people have come to expect at the festival," said chairman Tony Doherty. "Our very talented local groups, such as the Thogs, the Ballaghs, Kincardine Community Singers, and the Kincardine Celtic Fiddle Orchestra, will be performing on the same stage as greats like the Barra MacNeils and Ashley MacIsaac. We thank Canadian Heritage for its support.”

The Government of Canada created the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program in September, 2007. This program provides Canadians with more opportunities to take part in local activities that present arts and culture and celebrate local history and heritage. This program will benefit many community events and celebrations throughout Canada this year.



Also, if you happen to be a MacLennan, the clan is looking for you to drop by at the booth along Clan Avenue, Saturday, at the festival and discover your family history. Did you know the MacLennans hail from royalty?

You can be a "MacLennan" or a "McLennan" and you'll still be welcome. The clan spells the name either way. In about the 1900s, it dropped the "a" in Mac because they had difficulty spelling or it was dropped by a person helping to spell it.
 

This is an old clan that hails from the highlands. In a battle in 1645 against several other clans, the 33rd chief  of the clan and his men were surrounded, they were offered a surrender or perish. The chief refused and they were slaughtered. This so affected the clan that at the battle of Culloden, 100 years later, the MacLennans could muster only 11 men. The poor guys were never heard from again.
 

The clan was in disarray for centuries. It is only recent history that the clan became organized again by the 34th chief, Ronald George MacLennan. He has since passed away and his son, Ruidah, is now the chief.

The MacLennans will be marching in the Clan Parade and invites all septs to join in and visit at the booth.

For more information on the festival, visit www.kincardinescottishfestival.ca