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: Gate 3 opens

6:00 am: Clan vehicles may enter and load - unload on field - vehicles must be out by 7:45 am

7:00 am: Shuttle Buses Open

8:00 am: 

-All gates open to public

-Scottish Heavy Athletics Demonstration and Clinic - Main Field

-Atlantic International National competition begins - Dance Platforms   

8:30 am: Master Professional Scottish Heavy athletic competition begins - Main Field - Left

10:00 am: Worship Service and Kirkin’ of the Tartan - Worship Service Platform

11:30 am - 1:05 pm: Quiet Time - Parade of Tartans – Massed Bands - all venues except Highland Dancing

11:30 am: Parade of Tartans - Main Field and Track

12:00 pm – 3:45 pm: Piping Competitions - Alex Beaton Stage

12:30 pm: Scottish Fiddle Workshop - Fiddle Tent

12:45 pm - 1:00 pm: Quiet Time - all venues - Welcome, Intros and Awards 

12:45 pm:

(Approx.) Welcome, Intros, Etc. - Review Stand

1:00 pm: 

-Blue Ridge Brass, Pipes and Drums Concert - Scottish Cultural Village Tent

-Scottish Fiddle Workshop and Jam - Fiddle Tent

-The Hebridean Baker Ceilidh - Preacher Rock

1:05 pm:

-Resume exhibitions, competitions and entertainment in all venues

-Kilted Running Events (Adult and Children) - Athletic Tent - Track

-Sheep Dog Demonstration with Children - Main Field – Center

-Children’s events (tug-of-war, caber-toss, sheath toss, etc.) - Main Field – Right - Track

-Masters Heavy Athletic Events - Main Field - Left

1:30 pm: 

Gaelic Sing Along followed by Introduction to the Gaelic Language - Gaelic Tent

2:00 pm: 

-Scottish Fiddle Workshop and Jam - Fiddle Tent

2:30 pm: Scotland’s Historical Soundtrack - Scottish Cultural Village Tent

3:00 pm: 

-Clan Tug of War - Main Field – Right

-Jack Smith, Pioneer Piper - Scottish Cultural Village Tent

3:30 pm: Sheep Dog Demonstration - Main Field – Center

3:55 pm:

-Celtic Groves Gather

-Performers Parade to Closing Ceremony - Review Stand

4:00 pm: 

-Closing Ceremony - Main Field - Front Center

-End of Sunday’s field activities

5:00 pm: Last Shuttles Depart

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