By Chad Klassen

Scotch tastings a first at Highland Games on Saturday

Jul 8, 2016 | 5:21 PM

KAMLOOPS — The sound of drums and bagpipes are set to fill the air at Albert McGowan Park on Saturday for the 10th annual Kamloops Highland Games.

“People can expect a day of Scottish music, dancing, pipe bands, little girls and little boys Highland dancing, big guys and muscular women doing traditional Scottish heavy events,” says DJ Clarke from the Kamloops Highland Games Society.

For the first time this year, there will be Scotch tastings, with different varieties from Scotland, at 11 and 11:30 a.m. There will be a history lesson on where the Scotch came from and how it came to be, as well as inspiration behind the unique smells and tastes. There are a limited number of tickets that can be purchased at Albert McGowan Park. 

It’s all part of the Scottish experience, which the Highland Games are all about, and Kamloops has a tight Scottish community. 

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“Piping is very much like the Hotel California. You can check out but you never leave,” says Clarke. “I’ve known some of these people in bands for most of my life. It’s an opportunity to exercise my Scottish heritage, put on my family kilt, stand up a little bit straighter and taller, fly the family colours, and just be proud.”

Solo piping competitions begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday, with the opening ceremony at 12:30. Helping open the 2016 Highland Games will be CFJC’s own Doug Collins, who’s the honourary Grand Chieftain. 

“It’s pretty exciting to be asked to be the Chieftain, which really is pretty symbolic. There’s not much authority, but it’s going to be exciting to be there because they have some great competitors, tremendous dancers. They have the Simon Fraser pipe band, which is one of the best in the world. 

There will be a beer garden set up next to the competition circle where pipe bands will perform. There will also be a number of food trucks at the park.