The 15th annual Scotland County Highland Games Weekend takes place Friday, October 4th-Sunday, October 5th at the North Carolina Rural Heritage Center! This is a family-friendly event, and the largest tourism event held in Scotland County with participants and spectators from across the country. The Scotland County Highland Games are the only Scottish Games and Gathering located within the old Highland Scottish settlement of the Upper Cape Fear and Pee Dee regions of the Carolinas.

Attendees will enjoy seeing Scottish heavy athletic events, Pipe Bands in competition, sheepdog demonstrations, Highland dancing, Music of the Harp, Fiddle, Scottish Gaelic Song and solo competitions in Scottish piping and drumming. There will be over 50 clan and society tents with genealogical, cultural and historical information. Children will be able to take part in fun games and activities. Scottish, British and Regional food vendors will be on site and Scottish and Celtic imports will be available.

On Friday there will be a Whisky Tasting Seminar and a Sponsors & Patrons Reception (both ticketed), followed by the free Friday Night Fling at McDuffie Square, featuring food trucks, beer and music by Colin Grant-Adams, The Sean Heely Band and SEVEN NATIONS.

On Saturday, the North Carolina Rural Heritage Center will host Scottish athletic competitions, Highland dancing, solo piping, drumming, and pipe bands. Over 50 clan tents will offer historical and genealogical info, plus Scottish and Celtic vendors. The Parade of Tartans and Massed Pipe Bands will feature 300+ pipers and drummers. Beer and wine available, with closing ceremonies at 5pm.

Saturday evening brings a special recital at Avinger Auditorium, St. Andrews University, “An Evening of Scots Gaelic” (Feasgar Gaidhlig) featuring Cynthian Knight, Sean Heely and Sheena Anderson.

Sunday’s events include the Kirkin’ of the Tartans service at 11am at Old Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church (founded in 1797 by Scots settlers), which is free to attend.

To view the full schedule of the weekend events and all ticker options, follow the link provided below.