Grey-Bruce Adventours: Explore Kincardine

Grey-Bruce Adventours: Kincardine

By Sandra J. Howe for June/13 MOSAIC

Kincardine takes its Scottish heritage seriously, so for all things Scottish this is a great daytrip option. Starting June 22, Saturday evenings at 8 pm in Victoria Park downtown, everyone is invited to join the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band for the march along main street. This tradition has been on-going on Saturday summer evenings since 1948, and makes a fun outing for the whole family. Kids of all ages love it! The Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band first appeared in 1908, and has the longest unbroken service record for all Ontario pipe bands. Across the street from Victoria Park, at Kincardine’s Scottish Shop you can rent a kilt for the occasion, or sample such delicacies as haggis, black pudding, bridies, and scotch eggs. Take your taste buds on an adventure!

Kincardine has excellent walking trails with a beach boardwalk bordered by community gardens, and an extensive system of inland trails. Geddes Environmental Park features the Labyrinth Peace Garden, providing a meditative walk through rainbow shades of flowers. Parks, beaches, and picnic areas are abundant, and well-maintained; these make great places to relax with a book on a quiet day. Two bookstores downtown offer a vast range of reading options: Condor Fine Books focuses on used, antique, and out-of-print books in good condition. Finchers, across the street, specializes in new books, and has a wonderful selection of local authors, and interests.

A thriving arts scene focuses around the old townhall, now The Kincardine Centre for the Arts. This historic building was completed in 1872 for the massive sum of $8000, and is still quite elegant. It houses galleries, theatre space for both the Little Theatre Guild, and the Bluewater Playhouse, the Wood Turners Guild, and the Kincardine Scottish Festival and Highland Games headquarters. There is lots happening so check out the website for event details: www.sunsets.com/kincardine

With summer upon us, there is so much to see, and do in Grey-Bruce. Visitors come from around the world to enjoy the bounty of adventures in our playground. Grey-Bruce Adventours encourages you to get outside, and appreciate our cultural, and natural heritage. If I can be of service in guiding your adventures, let me know. Sandra J: howesandraj@gmail.com Have fun!!!