Discover the Heartbeat of Lanark Highlanders
Join the Legacy of Excellence
Uncover the rich history and vibrant community spirit of Lanark Highlanders Rugby Club, where passion meets purpose on and off the field.
Rooted in the Land, Inspired by Legacy
Lanark County has always carried a unique identity in Eastern Ontario — a region shaped by rugged landscapes, deep forest trails, and a fiercely independent spirit. From its earliest days, this area has been defined by resilience and self-reliance.
Following the Napoleonic Wars, many veterans — largely highlanders — were granted land here as part of British military settlement plans. The county was surveyed and settled with strategy in mind, acting as a supply depot network built in anticipation of renewed conflict with the United States. These roots left behind more than just roads and canals; they planted the seeds of a proud, close-knit community.
Over the years, waves of settlers and outsiders made their way to Lanark: Algonquin peoples, Celtic and British pioneers, moonshiners and traders, wartime migrants and seekers of all kinds. What they all shared was a connection to the land, and a willingness to carve something meaningful out of the wilderness.
In 1997, several rural shield townships in the county’s northwest joined together to form what is now called Lanark Highlands — a name that captures both the landscape and the spirit of the place.
The Birth of a Club
The Lanark Highlanders Rugby Football Club may be young by tradition, but it’s built on an old-world toughness and a deep sense of belonging.
In 2004, a single print ad, placed by a player searching for teammates, was answered by just one other. Still, the two met for practice. Then another came. And another. What began as a duo became a team. That team became a force.
The men’s side went on to regularly challenge – and often win – their division in the Eastern Ontario Rugby Union. Many of those early players still lead the club today, guarding its origin story and welcoming new members into the fold.
Even now, those same athletes, now playing as “Old Boys,” have remained largely undefeated for the past few years, including a proud moment when they represented Canada and won an international veterans tournament in Cuba in 2017.
Join Our Story
The Lanark Highlanders RFC isn’t just a club — it’s a community. Whether you’re a lifelong player, a curious spectator, or someone who just feels called to the spirit of the Highlands, there’s a place for you here.
Come train with us, cheer with us, or stand beside us as we continue to grow the game and our legacy in Lanark County.
The Spirit of the Highlanders
The name “Highlanders” was never just about ancestry. While there are strong Celtic and Scottish roots in the area, the club has always connected more deeply with what the Highlanders represent:
Fierce independence
Clannish loyalty
Resilience in the face of hardship
Rebellion against tyranny
Pride in standing apart
You’ll find us wearing kilts, raising a toast to Robbie Burns, sounding the bagpipes, and embracing symbols like the stag horn and the claymore — not out of nostalgia, but as a way to express our collective identity.
In the Highlanders, we see ourselves: tough, united, and a little wild — shaped by our landscape, bonded by our values, and always ready for the next challenge.