Official Opening

Festivities

Macdonald Hundred Pipe Band

It was the late premier Angus L. Macdonald’s dream to have 100 pipers march across the Canso Causeway for the grand opening celebrations.

His dream was fulfilled when nine senior pipe bands came together to make up the Macdonald Hundred Pipe Band. George Dey the Honorary Pipe Major marched at the head of the procession.

According to Jack MacIsaac who was a 16 year old piper with the Cape Breton Highlanders, the band of the day was comprised of a number of veterans who served overseas and younger players who were new recruits to the Cape Breton Highlanders (Militia Unit).

The band wore the Macdonald of Clanranald tartan.

March Across the Road to the Isles

The Macdonald 100 that led the crowd across, consisted of these 9 senior pipe bands:

– Nova Scotia Highlanders (North) Pipe Band, 1st Battalion

– Nova Scotia Highlanders Pipe Band, 2nd Battalion (Cape Breton)

– 36th Heavy Anti-Aircraft (HAA) “Ack Ack” Officers Pipe Band – Halifax

– 23rd Halifax Rifles Armoured Regiment Pipes and Drums

– Inverness County Pipe Band

– HMCS Cape Breton Pipe Band

– 219 New Glasgow Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corp. Pipes and Drums

– Queen Elizabeth High School Army Cadet Corps Pipe Band – Halifax

– Antigonish Highland Society Boys Pipe Band

Following the Macdonald Hundred, junior pipe bands also joined the march across the Canso Causeway:

– Dunvegan Girls Pipe Band – Westville

– Shelburne Girls Pipe Band – Shelburne

– Colchester Girls Pipe Band – Truro/Colchester

– Balmoral Girls Pipe Band – Stellarton

– Stornoway Junior Pipe Band – Sydney

– Truro Girls Pipe Band

– Kentville #507 Royal Canadian Air Cadet Pipe Band

This made a total of 400 pipers and drummers that marched over the Canso Causeway. Thousands of spectators followed the parade to be part of the celebration.

Parade Arrives on Cape Breton Island

R.C.M.P officers John Clifford and Dawson Lough (pictured here) were at the head of the procession leading the march onto Cape Breton Island.

Crowds were waiting on the sidelines to view the colourful procession of 20,000 who walked across the Canso Causeway.

A certificate was given to all those who participated in the grand opening festivities of the Canso Causeway. It was signed by Henry Hicks, the Premier of Nova Scotia in 1955.

This certificate was presented to Hugh MacMaster of Creignish, for his participation with the Creignish Milling Frolic Group during the ceremonies.

Highland Games

After the Canso Causeway grand opening, the highland games took place on Route 19 overlooking the Canso Canal, on “Spruce Grove Games Field” as named on invitations.

There were highland dancers, a ferris wheel, concession booths and a cake to celebrate the day.

Lennan MacDonald of Port Hawkesbury worked for the contractor who built the Canso Canal. He shared his memories of this day.

“On the day of the official opening of the Canso Causeway on August 13th, 1955, the Port Hawkesbury Fire Department had a large booth set up on the grounds and sold food and drink on the opening day. I was a volunteer fireman at the time and put in a full day with the Auxiliary.”

Special Trains

Canadian National Railway had trains leaving from Halifax and Sydney for the special day. The one from Sydney left at 7:30 am. Picking up passengers en route to Port Hastings where it arrived at 11:40 am. Returning, it left Port Hastings at 5:30 pm to arrive in Sydney at 9:30 pm.

Trip fares from Sydney were $3.65, North Sydney $3.15, Grand Narrows $1.70, with other low round trip fares from other stations.

A lunch counter car was attached to the special train providing meals at low rates.