Highland Games

What a day… I had wanted to write something last night but was to tired after the events of the day. I got down there about 10:30 and saw that Shannon, Susan and Mom had the tent set up and the banners looked awesome. The display stuff from April and Bill at the Scottish Company looked great.
The only bad part of the morning was the boneheadness of the School Board in cancelling, on Friday night, the parking at Park School. Which they said they needed for teachers to mark papers. Understandable, if they were going to be there, but 1 teacher showed up. 150 parking spots were lost. Another great move by Halton District School Board. That is a topic for another day…..

I had a picture with the 78th Fraser Highlanders. There uniforms were unbelievable and when they fired there musket volley it shook the fairgrounds. Here is a piece on their history from their website.

“The final phase of the 150-year struggle between Britain and France in North America began in 1754. It became clear that large-scale military action in the colonial conflict was needed if Britain was to prevail. This would require sending British regulars to North America. Authority was granted for the raising of two Highland Battalions, the 62nd Regiment of Foot (Montgomery's Highlanders) and the 63rd Regiment of Foot (Fraser's Highlanders), for service in the New World.”
Afterwards I wandered with Spike to see the tents and booths there. I wanted to find another bear with the Somerville tartan. Last year I got one but it was given to wee Cousin Megan in Virginia. She loved the bear and Tim and I gave it to her as a memento of the Williamsburg Highland games. Megan is now battling leukemia and is fighting strong. The booth owner was overwhelmed by Somervilles looking for bears she is going to order the tartan and make the. The Somerville Girls of Georgetown all wanted one. Shannon is organising that one!



We formed up in the parade as the sunshine disappeared and steady “Scotch Mist” came in. I had the honour of being driven by my friend John Tatham in his 1953 Vintage Willy’s Jeep. The family let by Mom, Aunt Shirley and Uncle Bill walked in behind the Somerville banner. It was great the Cousin Mike could join us!
Seeing the opening of the Games from the booth was unbelievable. The mass bands from that angle were truly a sight. Over 30 bands struck up to play after the Highlanders marched a formed an honour guard to fire their muskets. Following the bands was the Highland fling, these poor wee girls were dancing as the worst of the rain for the day fell. Some as young as 4.

I met a couple of great Somervilles who were in attendence. Bill Somerville who is from the Lanarkshire area of Scotland runs a store with is wife April called “The Scottish Company”. A great place for kilts and accessories as well as other Scottish and Irish items.
The other is Scott Somerville who is the CAO for the Township of King. He was there with his family and told us of the Somervilles from his branch settling in the Alliston area. Mike Somerville from Mississauga who would be a cousin had to go before I could chat with him, but a good connection was made.
After the closing mass bands, we all made our way to Chris and Karen’s for the Somerville Caleigh! The version of Amazing grace was spectacular. They were gracious hosts and ensured we all had tons to eat, drink and a dry place from the rain! Tim’s address to the haggis was excellent! With a loaf of Wonder Bread standing in for the Haggis…


Festivals like this remind us of our heritage but also help us learn about other cultures. They can be to get us out to have some fun, some great food and to see friends and families. They become an important part of our lives. My Parents met 61 years ago at the Fergus Highland Games.
I will have more on Festivals in another posting.

Dragons, Kilts and a Grand Honour

In 1835 3 brothers left the Lanarkshire area of Scotland and settled in the Limehouse area in north Halton. As most people coming to Canada at that time, and many immigrants since, they came seeking a new life and a chance to have opportunities not afforded them in there birthplace.
The three brothers were Thomas (who had 200 acres in the 4th line Glen Lawson Road Area), James (Farmland near present day Erin) and Robert who had 50 acres in Esquesing Township. Robert was my great great grandfather.
Recognizing the need for a church, a group gathered at the home of Thomas in the early 1850’s to discuss the building of a church to serve the needs of the Limehouse area. That church opened a couple of years later, debt free and originally served three denominations. It continues to serve the community today as Limehouse Presbyterian Church.
Growing up I had heard the story that a Somerville had slain the last dragon in Scotland. I had a coworker tell me that the Somerville crest must have a dragon on it as such a event would be marked by a special crest and kilt. It was always difficult to find anything until the advent of the internet. Then I could find the kilt, history and Somervilles around the world.


Now a bit about the Linton Worm… This is from a piece called “Scottish Monsters” and talks of the Linton Worm…
“ A Scots laird, John de Somerville heard of the worm and decided to go see for himself. From a safe distance he observed the creature, noticing how it would crawl halfway from its lair and stand watching, its mouth wide open while it observed those who came near. This gave the enterprising laird an idea. He returned and ordered the production of a unique lance from a local blacksmith.
Somerville returned to the lair with his special lance. On the end he placed a large lump of peat covered in tar which was set alight. For some time he had practiced charging with the burning lance so his horse would get used to the smoke blowing in its face. Now came the time to strike. He rode up to the worm who predictable opened its huge mouth. Somerville plunged the lance deep into the creatures throat.
The Worm writhed in agony, the marks of it's death throws are said to be still visible in the undulations of the hills around the lair (now known as Wormington). eventually the creature brought down the roof of the cave in which it had lived and (conveniently for all the story tellers) disappeared without a trace.
As a reward for his bravery Somerville was knighted and made a royal Falconer, he also became the first Baron of Lintoune. In commemoration of the event the crest of the Somerville's was a dragon perched on a wheel.“
This weekend I have the honour of being the Honorary grand Chieftain at the Halton Peel Highland Games
http://www.georgetownhighlandgames.com/index.php?title=Main_Page being held in Georgetown. I was asked last year if I would do the honour. I am especially pleased that Somervilles from all over are going to be in attendance. My Mother, Aunts Uncles cousins, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews and a whole bunch of Somervilles who are related we just do not know how! Should be a good Caleigh! There are 36 bands booked and hopefully the weather is more Canadian then Scottish! This is the 35th year of the games and the organisers deserve lots of credit for there hard work and dedication in bringing this to Halton Hills for all these years.
I will write more and have loads of pictures after tomorrow! See you there!