Editor: To all volunteers of the Three Sisters Scottish Festival Society (Canmore Highland Games).
I have been involved in the Scottish community as a volunteer and in business for the past 40 years in primarily Calgary, Southern Alberta and, to some extent, Western Canada.
As a regular participant of the games, I was sad to hear this week that the Canmore Highland Games have come to an end. The reason for dissolving the society is understandable, (as I know, very well, their predicament). It is nevertheless devastating to the Scottish community and Canmore in particular.
Through all the years since its inception some 26 years ago, I have been amazed at the level of professionalism in running the event. The hours and effort that have been put into this are astounding, all to better the community and the town of Canmore.
Being an immigrant Scot, I can assure you these games would certainly equal, if not surpass, any such event in Scotland. They were ‘braw.’
This undoubtedly will have a serious effect on the economy of Canmore on the Labour Day weekend. It will affect the hotel industry, restaurants, and retail stores. In short it will have an impact on tourism.
However, if this sad occasion has to pass, I feel one very important thing still has to be done. And that is, to all the volunteers of this great event, “I bid you all a heartfelt thank you.”
Jim Osborne,
The Scottish Shoppe (Calgary)
