Welcome To Clan Young - CANADA

On Sunday, August 6, 2023, the Youngs of Scotland hosted a Clan tent at the Montreal Highland Games at the ​Douglas Hospital grounds in Verdun, Quebec.

According to the [Games' website] https://www.montrealhighlandgames.com/about-us.html  The Montreal Highland Games, established in 1855, are the oldest Scottish festival in Canada. Over the past 40 years, the Games have become one of the premier events on the North American Highland Games circuit. The Montreal Highland Games are always held on the Sunday following the Glengarry Highland Games in Maxville, Ontario, which makes it a double-header for pipe bands, athletes, Highland dancers and spectators. Among competitors, this has become known as the M&M weekend. Every year, the Montreal Highland Games unite Montrealers of all backgrounds to celebrate Scottish sport, music and culture. The Games represent an exceptional opportunity for participants and visitors to discover Scotland's rich history and traditions.

For the first time since 2015, Clan Young returned to the Games, represented by Chris Young, Regent for Québec of the Youngs of Scotland.  It was a hot and sunny day, but the athletic grounds were wet and soggy from the torrential rains of the previous week.  Nevertheless, the athletes prevailed, and the turnout was excellent, with the Clan section becoming an increasingly prevalent part of the Games.

The theme of the Clan Young tent was "Find your clan roots using genetic genealogy."   The maps supplied by Dr. Tyrone Bowes of www.scottishorigenes.com were a huge hit, sparking teaching moments to help others trace their roots to specific locations in Scotland. Christopher Young, a student from Nova Scotia, was so happy to have found his doppelgänger, Christopher Young, of Québec; the chance meeting sparked a long discussion about the 20 genetic homelands of the Youngs of Scotland and their connections to the old Young families of Canada.   

Steven Logan, Clans and Community Organization Director, and Lesley Gray, Deputy Head of the Scottish Government Office in Canada, selected Clan Young as the best Clan display of the Games!   Steven's congratulatory message highlighted the general interest in DNA testing, "Congratulations on being our best Clan this year!! ... LOVED your map."

Onwards to the 2024 Games.

See also: 

- [The Games in the Scottish Banner](https://www.scottishbanner.com/2023/07/08/the-montreal-highland-games-2023-quebecs-oldest-games/)