About Us

Greg Dickson has been around – mainly in Ontario – most of his adult life. Born of Nova Scotians, he went to school mainly in London before joining the Royal Canadian Navy as an Officer Cadet. Almost seven years later, having visited much of the world, including the Canadian and Scandinavian Arctic, the Mediterranean and Caribbean Seas, he returned to school to study Accountancy. Greg later returned to Nova Scotia as a Presbyterian Minister and is now retired in New Glasgow.

On a trip to Scotland in the ‘80s Greg discovered some of his Scottish roots, and that his family is a sept of the Keith Clan. His wife Melanie comes from the Rob Roy MacGregors. He also plays the fiddle.

Greg now serves The St. Andrew’s Society of Pictou County as President and is Chair of the Festival of the Tartans.

Lynn was born and brought up in Pictou County. After graduating from New Glasgow High School she attended the Nova Scotia Teacher's College for three years specializing in Elementary education. Her first job was at Acadia Street School, in New Glasgow where she spent the majority of her 33 year career working with grades three to six. During this time Lynn attended Saint Francis Xavier University to obtain her Bachelor of Education Degree. Lynn's interest in local history always played a big role which led to researching and writing historical plays for her students and later novels focused on New Glasgow's history. She was a member of the New Glasgow Heritage Committee for 12 years where she was involved in many projects. In 2025, Lynn played a part in New Glasgow's 150th Anniversary by contributing historical pieces to the Town's Facebook Page and submitting background information on some of New Glasgow's mayors in the “Mayor's Book” which was released in August of 2025 as part of the Anniversary.

An interest in all things Scottish began at an early age. Lynn was a member of the Stellarton Balmoral Pipe Band as a drummer and later drum sergeant, for almost a decade. Summers were spent traveling across Canada and the United States, performing in towns and cities. One very fond memory was the Festival of the Tartans which the band attended and competed in every summer. It was truly a highlight. In later years Lynn traced her family's history back to Scotland and traveled there to see her MacLean and MacKay homeland and today still is fascinated with family genealogy. A special memory was attending the Clan MacLean International Gathering at Duart Castle on the Isle of Mull, Scotland. Being part of the Festival of the Tartans Committee is another way of celebrating her Scottish roots.

Susan Parker is the secretary for the Festival of the Tartans and also the St. Andrew’s Society of Pictou County. She is a graduate of St. Mary’s University with Master of Arts in Atlantic Canada Studies degree. Her master’s thesis was completed on the topic, “An Industrial Museum in the Heart of Tartanism: The Creation of the Nova Scotia Museum of Industry”. She became involved with the festival first as a Highland dancer, then as a volunteer in 2007. She also volunteers with local Highland dancing competitions.

Her ancestors are largely Scottish, with surnames including McGregor, McKinnon, Dewar, McDonald, and McKelvie, and is a Ship Hector descendant through Alexander, Elspie, and Donald McLeod.  Her academic background is in Canadian history, with a focus on the cultural and industrial heritage of the Maritimes. She worked in the heritage and tourism industry for over a decade, with most of that time spent in local and university archives.

Susan was one of the writers published in New Glasgow’s 150th anniversary commemorative book publication, New Glasgow’s 45 Mayors, Leadership & Legacy of A Riverside. She is currently the Reference and Heritage Assistant at the Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library, helping people around the world reconnect to their Scottish ancestry.

Kent Williams, CPA, CA is proud of his strong Scottish roots. He attended high school at East Pictou Rural High School in the heart of Scottish Pictou County. Kent graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration from St Francis Xavier University and received his CA designation in 1979. 

He has practiced public accounting for most of his professional career and is now semi-retired, still doing some private consulting and tax preparation. Kent is treasurer of the Festival of the Tartans Committee and is also treasurer of the St. Andrew’s Society of Pictou County.

He lives in New Glasgow with his wife Jane (Fraser). They have three adult daughters and two granddaughters.

Vicki Moore is the Logistics and Sponsorship Coordinator for the Festival of the Tartans Committee. She joined the Festival Committee last year to help reintroduce the festival. Because it was a small but passionate group, Vicki stepped up to take on duties as needed and continues to greatly support other Committee members. Vicki has been a long-time event organizer in various leadership roles with the Pictou County Relay for Life event and raising funds for the Canadian Cancer Society. Additionally, she has taken part in other important community fundraisers such as the Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl for Kids and the Coldest Night of the Year. Vicki has always been involved with Social Committees and Health and Wellness groups in her workplaces, both past and present. Vicki is a proud civil servant and works for the Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration. She was a past recipient in 2024 of the Deputy Minister’s Award for her involvement in a group initiative for peer support and again in 2025 she was the recipient the Minister’s Award for Excellence for the same group called “Let’s Be” which focuses on the health and wellbeing of colleagues within the Department and takes into consideration the balance of work life and home by providing an outlet for the employee whether it be the body, mind and/or spirit and safety of all. She has also held positions within the Accounts Payable division of the Corporate Services Department of the Town of New Glasgow.  Earlier in her career, she held a supervisory position at the John Brother MacDonald Stadium as a hub of sports and recreational activities/events. Vicki greatly enjoyed her work at the Stadium, interacting and serving many community members, sports groups and other organizations. She returned to the Stadium to fill the position of Interim Manager until it shut its doors in 2012 and carries many cherished memories of the beloved community rink and the staff that worked tirelessly for the many users of the rink.

She is also a proud Scot and cherishes her Scottish roots. Some names in her family tree are Chisholm, McDonald, Cameron, and MacGillivray. She has been researching her family tree for over 10 years and considers herself an "amateur" genealogist. Vicki is a huge animal lover and some of her interests include arts, crafts, cooking and baking, being out in nature, camping, and gardening. These are just a few things she holds close to her heart.

Vicki has many interests and passions, but topping the list are her family, friends and community.

Kimberly Dickson is the volunteer Communications Lead for the Festival of the Tartans Committee. Having previously served on the committee for many years, she was delighted to rejoin during the festival's revival year in 2025. She is a graduate of St. Francis Xavier University, holding two degrees, and has been recognized with community leadership awards. Kim has contributed to many cultural, community, sporting, heritage, charitable, and business organizations as a volunteer. In her mid teens and early 20s, she was a Nova Scotia rep twice at the Canadian Highland Dancing Championships as a student of Betty Smith and Gerarda MacDonald. She was also a Highland dance teacher (Associate and Member certification) for several years and spent 10 years as a choreographer with the former Scotia Highland Dancers, working alongside MacDonald and Janice Macquarrie. She has danced at the Royal International Tattoo, the Montreal ’76 Olympics, before Queen Elizabeth II, the Queen Mother, Princess Alexandria and Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau.

She is also known for creative pursuits that include writing, photography, painting, rug hooking, and pottery. Her travel and creative writing have been published nationally and internationally. Kim has her own communications business, providing strategic communications, marketing, social media and event planning services. Throughout her career, she has held leadership positions in the post-secondary education, tourism, municipal government, and health care sectors, building extensive expertise in communications, marketing, and events, most recently as New Glasgow’s Director of Strategic Initiatives in 2025 during the town’s 150th anniversary of incorporation celebrations. Kim's heritage reflects predominantly English, Scottish, and Irish ancestry with names such as Dickson, Smith, Pike, Stewart, Pride, McDeamid and Malloy. Through her husband, Barry, and their son Darcy, she shares more Scottish connections, with a lineage that includes Campbell, Thompson, Hattie, and Fraser families.

She is passionate about celebrating Scottish culture and is proud to contribute alongside fellow committee members who she describes as talented and dedicated. She also thanks the generous community partners, sponsors and supporters. She is grateful to Scotland for the creation of the Golden Retriever breed and Newfoundland for the Labrador Retriever as Breeze a Golden and Sable, a Black Lab are also part of her family.

Christina has recently completed her Bachelor of Public Policy and Governance at St. Francis Xavier University, with a minor in Political Science, and is also working toward a degree in Celtic Studies at StFX. She is currently learning Scottish Gaelic, which she has studied at both StFX and Colaisde na Gàidhlig. These studies have deepened her appreciation for Gaelic language and culture. Christina has work experience in production, communications, journalism, and customer service with organizations such as Michelin, Divert NS, The Advocate, and Canadian Tire. She also enjoys volunteering for various community events for the Town of New Glasgow and has worked as an editor for StFX’s Policy+ journal. Christina joined the Festival of the Tartans Committee because she has a strong interest in Scottish history and Gaelic preservation. She loves the traditions, music, language, and storytelling of the Gaels, which have helped shape the Nova Scotian identity. To Christina, the Festival is a way of keeping Scottish heritage visible, shared, and celebrated in Pictou County. A Scottish figure who Christina greatly admires is Cape Bretoner Jonathan G. MacKinnon. In 1892, he founded Mac-Talla in Sydney, which became the first newspaper published entirely in Scottish Gaelic. Christina admires MacKinnon for his decades of dedication to the preservation of Gaelic language and culture.

Kate is currently enrolled in the Funeral and Allied Health Services course at NSCC and is an apprentice at a funeral home, while also working on a dairy farm. She enjoys connecting to her Scottish heritage through dancing square sets, learning Gaelic, and donning her MacDonald of Clanranald tartan whenever possible. Kate got involved with the St. Andrew’s Society and The Festival of the Tartans to engage with like-minded people who want to preserve and promote Scottish culture in Nova Scotia. Special shout-out to her favourite small pipe player and dance partner, Ian. Her volunteer experience includes the Pictou Lobster Carnival, both as a general volunteer and an executive team member, The Jubilee, the Carmichael Stewart House Museum, and serving as a Parish Pastoral Council member for St. Ninian Cathedral in Antigonish. 

Mary Beth Sutherland, from River John, is a retired R.N. She comes to the Festival of the Tartans committee as Past President of the St. Andrew’s Society of Pictou County. She has a lifelong interest in her Scottish heritage, travelling to Scotland various times to attend Clan Sutherland gatherings and travel the country of her forebearers. She and her husband David have three adult children who each played with the Heatherbell Pipe and Drum Band in their youth. They are blessed with four grandchildren. She is on the executive of the Canadian Association of Clan Sutherland and volunteers on several community groups. Scottish family surnames she can trace back to are: Blair, Christie, Innis, MacDonald, MacKay, Munro, Murray, Sutherland and Thomson.

Ken Langille served on the Festival of the Tartans Committee as its Chair for many years over the past four decades. He is currently an advisor to the Festival and is also a director of the St. Andrew’s Society of Pictou County.

Ken was previously a Councillor for Ward 1 of New Glasgow for many years and also served as Deputy Mayor for five years. He was the proprietor of the Mattress Shop Ltd. on Trenton Road which was established by his father Keith Langille and was an active business in the region for 75 years. Ken began his connection with the business by helping his father at the shop as a youth. The Mattress Shop recently closed when Ken retired in 2025 after a long and successful career.  Ken has been president of the Nova Scotia Chapter of the Blackwatch Association, was a member of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Museum of History and Chair of the Canadian War Museum, both located in Ottawa. He is a past Chair of the Pictou County Sports Hall of Fame, Past President of the Pictou County Shrine Club, Past President of the Nova Scotia Police Board and was a volunteer firefighter in New Glasgow for 30 years. The Committee thanks Ken for his wealth of knowledge about the Festival of the Tartans and for his willingness to support New Glasgow’s longest standing cultural festival.  

Born and raised in Antigonish, Ryan first started competing in the junior heavy events at age 16.

He was first coached by Marty Gilfoy, then by Matt Doherty, each of whom competed and were

ranked amongst Canada’s best during their time. At age 19 years, Ryan won the Canadian

Junior Championship title, with the event taking place at the Antigonish Highland Games in

2015.

Ryan went on the have a successful career at in the lightweight category of the heavy

events, attending three world championships and placing as high as 5 th place nationally. Now

competing amongst the biggest and strongest in Canada, Ryan looks to fight his way into

qualifying for a Heavyweight National Championship. The Festival of the Tartans is very grateful

to Ryan for brining Scottish Heavy Weights back to the Festival!

Personal Bests:

• Open Stone: 37’9.5”
• Heavy Weight for distance: 29’ (56lb)
• Light Weight for distance: 55’7” (28lb)
• Heavy Hammer: 90’7” (22lb)
• Light Hammer: 113’5” (16lb)
• Caber: 18’ x 85lb 10:30
• Weight for Height: 13’

Pageant Coordinator Paula Balesdent lives in Plymouth with her husband Claude. They have three grown sons and nine grandchildren.  Paula graduated from PRVS in 1977. Paula was a volunteer with Scouts Canada for 25 years. She was also a Parent Volunteer with the Trenton Air Cadets and the Lung Association of Nova Scotia. She is an accomplished seamstress having worked on more gowns than she can count. Paula enjoys traveling, time spent with her hubby on their Spyder motorcycle, painting, cooking, baking and home decor. The revival of the Tartans Pageant, after a gap of 29 years, was born in one of many late night phone conversations with her Pageant Co-Coordinator Joelene. And the rest, as they say, is history! 

Joelene lives in Stellarton with her husband Chris and daughter Jordan. She has spent a number of years volunteering in many ways, such as with Scouts Canada, and Pictou County Light Horse community. She had dedicated 11 years of het life as a firefighter/MFR before having to give it up for health reasons. Joelene’s passion for pageants stems from her daughter. When she saw the way a pageant can help build self esteem and confidence in today’s youth, she and her friend Paula decided in one of their many late night phone conversations why not be the positive change in the lives of today’s youth And well here they are today reviving the Festival of the Tartans Skye Queen Pageant, last held in 1997. 

Allyson Parker began Highland Dancing at the age of four under instructor Shauna Crosby and

she later trained with Debby Stevenson and Carolyn Spears. Allyson has additional experience

in ballet, step, and jazz. Allyson values how Highland Dancing builds lifelong friendships,

resilience, and confidence, while also connecting her to her Scottish heritage as a direct

descendant of Ship Hector passengers who arrived in Pictou in 1773.

Allyson has competed across Canada and the USA, proudly representing Nova Scotia at the

Canadian Championships. Her dance career includes notable performances such as dancing

for the Prince of Whales Charles and Duchess Camilla during their 2014 visit to Pictou,

performing at Walt Disneyworld in Florida, and joining the RCMP ‘H’ Division Highland Dancers

at the 2018 Belfast International Tattoo in Ireland.

Allyson Parker is a Fellow of the Scottish Dance Teachers’ Alliance (SDTA), a Royal Scottish

Official Board of Highland Dance (RSOBHD) adjudicator, and a professional member of

ScotDance Canada (SDC). She teaches Highland Dance in New Glasgow, NS, through her

school, Parker School of Dance. Allyson is also the Highland Dancing Competition Lead

Organizer for the Festival of the Tartans. Through SDC, she has served as the IT Committee

Chair and is a current member of the Marketing Committee.

Beyond Highland Dance, Allyson holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Dalhousie

University, as well as a Bachelor of Education, and a Master of Education in Early Elementary

Pedagogy from St. Francis Xavier University, and Master of Education in Supporting Learners

with Diverse Needs & Exceptionalities. She works full time as a Grade Primary teacher at GR

Saunders School in Stellarton, a role she thoroughly enjoys!