Read more: 10 Once-Thriving California Towns That Transformed Into Eerie, Abandoned Beauties<\/a><\/p>\n Experiencing a small piece of Scotland in Fergus, Ontario Each August, people come from around the globe to celebrate Scottish heritage at the Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games<\/a>. During the multi-day jubilee, tiny Fergus\u00a0teems with kilts, bagpipes, and historic games. With a population resting around 20,000, Fergus swells with the nearly 28,000 people attending the annual fest.\u00a0Google reviews<\/a> demonstrate that tourists and locals consider it a fun-filled, immersive, must-attend event, with one sharing that there were, “Many clan stalls where one can learn a bit of family and clan history.\u00a0Educational and fun for the kids.\u00a0Great food selection.\u00a0All volunteers were fantastic.”\u00a0<\/p>\n With so much to see, an overnight stay may be in order.\u00a0Book a suite at\u00a0the Breadalbane Inn,\u00a0<\/a>which dates back to the 1800s. It is a longstanding example of\u00a0classic Victorian and\u00a0Scottish architecture that features exposed stone walls, fireplaces, and wooden floors.\u00a0Toss a pint back while munching on an authentic steak and stout pie at the on-site Fergusson Room Pub. Another option is one of the two rooms above the Brew House on the Grand<\/a>,\u00a0a pub in a former home built in 1851\u00a0where you can grab a cold lager. The McHaven Room\u00a0here offers a regal, four-poster bed and clawfoot tub that truly elicits an old-world Scottish feel.\u00a0<\/p>\n Exploring downtown Fergus and beyond There’s plenty to keep sightseers occupied, and you can stroll\u00a0through Fergus’ downtown until you begin to develop a Scottish brogue of your own. Head to\u00a0the\u00a0Bookery or the Fergus Scottish Corner Shop\u00a0for traditional baked goods. Adjacent to St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, established in 1834, is the Kissing Stane<\/a>, the only place in town where couples could be affectionate publicly long ago. Pay a visit to the\u00a0sublime Templin Gardens<\/a> that cling to the cliffside along the scenic Grand River. Meander through the lawns, trees, and flowers along stone-hewn pathways. Watch birds flutter in dedicated baths from park benches and take in a waterfall tumbling into the gorge. According to one reviewer on Tripadvisor<\/a>, the gardens are “a space that adds to the beauty and cuteness of the town,” and it is one of the top attractions to visit here.\u00a0<\/p>\n With an average of 39 inches of rain annually and temperatures falling into the teens during the winter months, the best time of year to visit Fergus is generally between July and September. Summer and fall also bring festivals like the Highland Games, the Medieval Faire, and\u00a0Twilight at Templin, a family-friendly live-music event.<\/p>\n Fergus is located less than a two-hour drive west of Toronto, but you should take some time to explore other closer spots in the area.\u00a0Nearby Elora, a hidden town deemed “Ontario’s most beautiful village,”<\/a>\u00a0is\u00a0just under 10 minutes from Fergus.\u00a0You’ll also find Galt,\u00a0a scenic riverside community with shop-filled streets and European charm<\/a>,\u00a0around 50 minutes away.<\/p>\n Ready to discover more hidden gems and expert travel tips? Subscribe to our free newsletter<\/a>! You can also add us as a preferred search source<\/a> or follow us<\/a> on Google for access to the world’s best-kept travel secrets.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/islands_international_279\/3fd53afe38d15c6dbff84b3da9f2a51f.jpeg\"\/)
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