Grandfather Mountain Highland Games

High in the Mountains of Western North Carolina the ancient Celtic spirit beckons. Answering the call, as hundreds of tartan banners unfurl, are the sounds of bagpipes echoing through the valley, and once again, thousands of kilt-clad Scots make their way to MacRae Meadows for their annual gathering and games. Nowhere in the New World is there a place more reminiscent of the Scottish Highlands than the home of America’s grandest Highland Games-Grandfather Mountain, North Carolina.

Schedule of Events:

6:00 am: Gates 3 opens

6:00 am: Clan vehicles may enter and load - unload on field – vehicles must be out by 7:30 am

7:00 am: Shuttle Buses Open

7:30 am: All gates open to public

8:00 am: 

-“Elite” Women Heavy Athletics Qualifying begins - Main Field - Left

-Atlantic International Championship - Premier competition - Dance Platforms

8:30 am:

-“Professional” Class Heavy Athletics begins - Main Field - Left

-Piping competition begins - Hillside and Infield

9:00 am: Harp Competition Registration - Harp Tent

9:30 am:

-Highland Wrestling – Cumberland Style - Main Field – Right

-The Hebridean Baker Ceilidh

10:00 am: 

-Celtic Groves entertainment begins

-Harp Competition- Harp Tent

-Scotland’s Historical Soundtrack - Scottish Cultural Village Tent

10:30 am:

-O’er the Sea to Skye- Scottish Cultural Village Tent

-Stephen McClure – Drum Major Exhibition - Track and Grandstand

11:00 am - 11:50 am: Quiet Time - all venues for Opening Ceremony

11:00 am: 

-Opening Ceremony

-Whisky, Taxes and War - Scottish Cultural Village Tent

-Whisky Tasting (pre-purchased tickets) - Preacher Rock

11:30 am: 

-Wild Scotland - Scottish Cultural Village Tent

11:50 am:

-Resume exhibitions, competitions and entertainment in all venues

-Massed Bands performance - Main Field - Center

12:00 pm – 1:30 pm: Band Concert - Scottish Cultural Village Tent

12:10 pm: 

Track and Field competition begins - Main Field and Track

-Sheep Dog Demonstration - Main Field – Center

12:30 pm:

Whisky Tasting (pre-purchased tickets)  - Preacher Rock

Harp Workshop and Live Performance – Harp Tent

Approx. 1:00 pm

Pre-premier Highland Dance competition - Dance Platforms (starts after Championship)

1:00 pm: Gaelic Sing Along followed by Introduction to the Gaelic Language - Gaelic Tent

1:15 pm:

-Professional Caber Toss - Main Field – Center

Children’s Wrestling Competition - Main Field – Right

1:30 pm: 

Chiefs, Clans and Coats of Arms -Scottish Cultural Village Tent

2:00 pm: 

-Whisky Tasting (pre-purchased tickets) - Preacher Rock

-Scottish Fiddling Competition- Fiddle Tent

-NC Provincial Gaelic Mod - Gaelic Tent

2:30 pm: 

-Sheep Dog Demonstration - Main Field – Center

-The Real Outlander - Scottish Cultural Village Tent

3:30 pm:

-Whisky Tasting (pre-purchased tickets) - Preacher Rock

-Jack Smith, Pioneer Piper - Scottish Cultural Village Tent

4:00 pm: End of Saturday’s field activities

5:00 pm:

End of Celtic Grove performances

Last Shuttle Buses Depart

5:30 pm: The Hebridean Baker Ceilidh - Preacher Rock

6:30 pm:  -10:00 pm: 

Saturday Night Celtic Jam Concert - Gates 2 and 3 open at 6:00 pm

Click here for Tickets