As locals celebrated their Scottish heritage last weekend, Richard Knight of Visit Scotland was here inviting the community to celebrate next year at Scotland’s year-long homecoming events.
Speaking briefly to the Wellington Advertiser in the historic Templin Gardens on Aug. 8, Knight said, “It is obviously a pleasure to be here in Fergus for these Highland Games representing Scotland over the next few days.
“Along with representatives of Scottish Development International, we’re here to act as ambassadors of Scotland, to spread the News of what is coming up over the next 12 months and possibly a bit further afield than that.
“We would like to say we are inviting everyone of Scottish descent to Scotland to help us celebrate. But that is not really enough for us. If you know someone who is Scottish, please come and help us celebrate. But if you don’t know anyone who is Scottish, please come anyway.”
Mayor Joanne Ross-Zuj was equally pleased to have Knight join the local celebrations.
“There have been so many come over (from Scotland) to celebrate here, it would be an honour to go over to help them celebrate,” said Ross-Zuj.
Knight quipped, “We look forward to having you, your family and the whole town.”
Unfortunately, traffic continued to traverse St. Andrew Street as dignitaries began their introductions to kick of the Pipes, Plaid and Pageantry Parade on Aug. 8. More than once, traffic drowned out the sound of those speaking.
Legion president Greg Manion noted the parade is co-hosted by the Legion and the Fergus Scottish Festival.
Manion said, “This year, the parade was special to Legion members. In June, we lost comrade Byron (Barney) Beirnes.”
Beirnes was a member of the Fergus Legion for over 40 years, serving in a variety of roles, in addition to his contributions to the Scottish Festival.
“I’m now declaring this parade as the Byron (Barney) Beirnes Memorial Parade,” said Manion.
Ross-Zuj welcomed those gathered to help “our Scottish culture.” She said, “It’s amazing the weather has cooperated with us and the weekend will hold so many wonderful activities to participate in.”
She was also very pleased to introduce Scottish visitors Knight and Rachael Livingston and Suki Jagdeo of Scottish Development International.
Knight offered a heartfelt thanks for the welcome to Fergus.
“It is fantastic to be here and with my colleagues, very excited to be meeting a lot of people over the next couple of days,” said Knight.
He added, “2014 is a very exciting time for us in Scotland. We are preparing ourselves to welcome the world.”
In addition to the Commonwealth Games and Ryder Cup, there is a year-long program of events and activities to showcase all that’s great about Scotland.
“Not only are we looking forward to welcome all the descendants of people from Scotland, we’re basically welcoming anyone who knows one of those descendants, may have met one, or shared a glass of Scotch with them,” Knight said.
“In other words, we are looking forward to welcoming the whole world to Scotland.”
