Alexander John "Big Alex McIsaac" MacDonald

Alexander John MacDonald was born on December 16th, 1865, in the pioneer home of John MacDonald on Lot 29 in the Second of Kenyon, not far from the growing community of Loch Garry and Apple Hill. The youth’s unusually large stature, at 6’6” and near 250lbs, soon brought upon him the moniker of “Big Alex”. By the time he was 20, this young lad from Loch Garry had earned a reputation at throwing the weights and tossing the caber at area field days and picnics.

By 1885, Big Rory MacLennan, having settled in Alexandria and founded a bank there, was drawn to the tales of prowess from the young Loch Garry native. He brought Big Alex to Alexandria, providing him lodging and teaching the basics of tossing the caber and throwing the weights each day after work.

Big Alex continued on working in construction and serving with the 59th Regiment. When World War One broke out, the 154th Battalion succeeded the 59th, but Big Alex was unable to join the Glengarry Company due to his age. His knowledge of construction work and timber processing, however, made him invaluable to the Forestry Corps and the 224th Battalion, who gladly accepted him.

Following preliminary training, the troops were stationed on the Isle of Skye. Big Alex soon endeared himself to the local MacLeods and other clansmen. His Scottish brethren became amazed at his ability to in throwing the weights and the caber as he practiced his skill when time was available in camp.

After the armistice in 1918, steps were taken to compensate for the cancellation of the 1916 Olympics. In 1919, a Highland Games meet was organized at Star Cross, Devon, along the Olympic pattern. Big Alex’s greatest day of glory came in the caber tossing competition, where he defeated Scotland’s champion before the Royal Family. Her majesty Queen Mary, wife of George V, was so impressed with his display of graceful skill and strength that she presented him with a solid gold wrist watch.

Upon his return to Glengarry Big Alex was greeted with a grand reception from the citizens of Apple Hill. In retirement, Big Alex would himself teach others in the art of the caber, among them a young Lloyd Kennedy (inductee 1990), who would reign champion at the Glengarry Highland Games for many years and then himself teach a younger generation to toss. Big Alex died in 1951.