Every year Arkansas’ oldest city, Batesville, plays host to one of America’s most popular Scottish festivals.

Pipers, drummers, dancers, athletes, Scottish clans, and vendors travel from all corners of the country to attend the event.

Join us for a weekend full of piping competitions, delicious food, and unique handmade crafts.

Gates open 8a.m Saturday morning and opening ceremonies will begin at 12 p.m. with a parade of massed bands and clans.

LYON COLLEGE TO COMBINE HOMECOMING + SCOTTISH FESTIVAL IN OCTOBER

We are excited about our 43rd Arkansas Scottish Festival! Register for an event here. Register your clan here.

General admission is FREE. ScotsFest will continue, rain or shine. In case of rain, check the list below for events moved.

All events will be on the campus of Lyon College, unless otherwise noted.

Schedule :

October 27, 2023

8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. : Open Classes

8:00 a.m. : Bio Psychology - Sonia                         

8:00 a.m. : Abstract Algebra - Chapman

9:00 a.m. : Artificial Intelligence-Birkenkrahe            

9:00 a.m. : Human Origins - Kennedy                        

9:00 a.m. : Principles of Biology - Oliveira               

9:00 a.m. : Sensation and Perception - Florkiewicz

10:00 a.m. : Comparative Physiology - Jones                

10:00 a.m. : Intro to Cultural Anthropology - Lebrato      

10:00 a.m. : College English - Carpenter                    

1:00 p.m. : Intro to Data Science - Birkenkrahe            

1:00 p.m. : Anthropology & Social Justice - Lebrato

2:00 p.m. : Social Psychology - Daniel Email [email protected] to register

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. : Founders Day Choir Reunion - Sloan Auditorium, Brown Chapel

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. : Founders Day Convocation - Sloan Auditorium, Brown Chapel

12:00 - Festival Soft Opening - Vendors and Clans

12:00 - 8:00 p.m. : Vintage SWAP Meet Vendor Setup - Student Rec Center, Becknell Gymnasium

4:00 – 8:00 p.m. : President’s Reception - Highland House, 2030 Bearette St.

4:00 - 10:00 p.m. : Ozark Beer Co. Entertainment Tent Opens HEADLINER: Gravel Yard Band

5:30 p.m. : Annual Lyon College Alumni Awards Celebration - Edwards Commons

7:00-9:00 p.m. : FREE Rocket-Building Workshop - Derby 131 Build your own Rocket & launch on Saturday!

7:00 - 10:00 p.m. : Alumni & Friends Social -Entertainment Tent, Brown Fine Arts Building South Lawn

Entertainment Tent - South Lawn Brown Fine Arts Building

Glasgow Chip Shop Menu

Fresh Fried Chips

Batter Fried Fish

Batter Fried Burgers

Batter Fried Chicken Strips

Ozark Beer Co. Brews and Bar

Comes with commemorative Scottish Festival Glass

Must be 21 or older to enter.

October 28, 2023

8:00 a.m. : The 43rd Arkansas Scottish Festival Opens to the Public

8:00 a.m.: VIP Breakfast - VIP Tent, Couch Garden

8:00 a.m. : Living History by MacLachlan's Jacobite Highlanders and Colonel Munro's 37th Regiment of Foot (Nichols Meadows)

9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. : Lyon College Scot Shop open - Edwards Commons

9:00 a.m. : Highland Athletics Competition begins  - Couch Garden

9:00 a.m. : Sheep Dog Demo (Brown Fine Arts Building Front Lawn

9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. : 1st Annual Vintage SWAP Meet  - Student Recreation Center, Becknell Gym

Vendors Click Here to Register

Patrons Click Here for Tickets

9:00 - 11:00 a.m. : Rocket Demonstrations - Practice Soccer Field

10:00 a.m. : Piping Exhibitions begin Various Locations

10:00 a.m. : Highland Dancing & Celtic Singer Misty Posey with Harpist begins  

10:00 a.m. : Front of Alphin

10:00 a.m. : Homecoming Tailgate - Tailgate Alley, Brown Fine Arts Building South Lawn

10:00 a.m. : Men’s Basketball Meet & Greet/Open Practice - Becknell Gymnasium

10:00 a.m. : Softball Alumni/Friends Meet & Greet - House Field

email [email protected]  for information

10:00 a.m. : TKE Alumni Reunion - Lyon Building 100

11:00 a.m. : Black Student Association Reunion - Outdoor Classroom

11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. : Ozark Beer Co. Entertainment Tent Open - Brown Fine Arts Building South Lawn

11:00 a.m. : British Car Show - Brown Fine Arts Building Crescent

11:00 a.m. : Lil’ Highlanders Fun Zone opens - Lyon Building South Lawn

11:00 a.m. : Sheep Dog Demo - Brown Fine Arts Building Front Lawn

12:00 p.m. : Opening Ceremonies, Mass Pipe Band - Couch Garden

12:30 p.m. : Homecoming Pep Rally - Tailgate Alley - Brown Fine Arts Building South Lawn

1:00 p.m. : Dog Show - Couch Garden

1:00 p.m. : Enter your Dog into the Contest

1:00 p.m. : Sheep Dog Demo - Brown Fine Arts Building Front Lawn

1:00 p.m. : Womens Homecoming Soccer Game - Lyon College Huser Field

1:00 p.m. : Lyon College vs.  Webster University

2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. : Reserved Seating Section for Alumni & Friends - Lyon College Huser Field

3:00 p.m. : Men’s Homecoming Soccer Game - Lyon College Huser Field

3:00 p.m. : Lyon College vs.  Webster University

3:00 p.m. : Sheep Dog Demo - Brown Fine Arts Building Front Lawn

6:00 p.m. : Cocktail Hour, Feast, Ceilidh, and Dancing - Entertainment Tent

6:00 p.m : Kappa Sigma Burgers, Brats, and Beer: a fundraiser benefiting the Terrell Tebbetts Reading Room - Register HERE

9:00 p.m. : Student Life & Young Alumni FREE Comedy Show Featuring Cam Bertrand - Brown Fine Arts Building, Sloan Auditorium

October 29, 2023

8:00 a.m. : Festival Opens

8:00 a.m. : Vendors and Clans

8:00 a.m. : Reenactments by MacLachlan's Jacobite Highlanders and Colonel Munro's 37th Regiment of Foot begin.

9:00 a.m. : Sheep Dog Demos - Brown Fine Arts Building Front Lawn

10:00 a.m. : Highland Dancing - Brown Fine Arts Building South Lawn

10:30 a.m. : Tea & Scones - Entertainment Tent

11:00 a.m. : Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan Worship Service - Entertainment Tent         

12:00 p.m. : Club 50 Celebration - Edwards Commons Maxfield Room, 1st floor

1:00 P.M. : Bonniest Knees Contest followed by the  Kilted Fun Run for Adults, Students, & Children - Entertainment Tent - Register to get a T-Shirt

1:00 p.m. : Sheep Dog Demo - Brown Chapel Front Lawn

4:00 p.m. : Festival Closes

Date : October 27, 2023 - October 29, 2023

Location : Various location in Batesville, AR

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