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 Sponsors may enter Gate 3 to 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

8:30 am: Highland Dance Premier Pre-Championship competition warm-up - Dance Platforms

9:00 am: “A” and “B” Class Amateurs Heavy Athletics begins - Main Field - Left

9:30 am: Highland Dance Premier Pre-Championship competition - Dance Platforms

10:00 am: 

-Celtic Groves entertainment begins - All Groves

-Scotland’s Historical Soundtrack - Scottish Cultural Village Tent

10:30 am: O’er the Sea to Skye - Scottish Cultural Village Tent

11:00 am - 11:30 am: Quiet Time - all venues for Opening Ceremony

11:00 am:

-Opening Ceremony

-From Highland Clearances to the Blue Ridge Mountains  - Scottish Cultural Village Tent

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

11:30 am:

-Resume exhibitions, competitions and entertainment in all venues

-Wild Scotland - Scottish Cultural Village Tent

-Sheep Dog Demonstration - Main Field - Center

12:00 pm:

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

-Children’s Caber Toss Clinic - Main Field - Right

12:30 pm: Whisky Tasting (Pre-purchased tickets) - Preacher Rock

1:30 pm: Chiefs, Clans and Coats of Arms - Scottish Cultural Village Tent

2:00 pm:

Sheep Dog Demonstration - Track walk around- Main Field – Center and Track

Whisky Tasting (pre-purchased tickets) - Preacher Rock

2:30 pm: The Real Outlander - Scottish Cultural Village Tent

3:00 pm:

The Bagpipe – It’s History and Lore - Scottish Cultural Village

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

3:30 pm:

Whisky Tasting (pre-purchased tickets) - Preacher Rock

Jack Smith, Pioneer Piper - Scottish Cultural Village

4:00 pm: End of Friday’s Field Activities

4:30 pm: End of Celtic Grove performances

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

6:30 pm - 10:00 pm: Friday Night Celtic Rock Concert - Gates 2 and 3 open at 6:00 pm

7:00 pm: Patron’s Reception - Best Western in Banner Elk

Click here for Tickets