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:

Thursday, July 6, 2023  

11:00am: Children’s Wrestling Clinic / Main Field
1:00pm: Clan Sponsors may load / unload on field – must be out by 3:30 PM
2:00pm: Whisky Tasting (pre-purchased tickets) / Best Western
4:00pm: MacRae Meadows open / Gates 2 & 3 / Ticket sales begin
5:00pm: Sheep Dog Demonstration / Main Field - Center
5:30pm: Special entertainment / Review Stand
6:00pm: The Hebridean Baker Ceilidh/ Preacher Rock
6:15pm: Recognition of “Outlander Group” / Track – Front / Center
6:30pm: Grandfather Mountain Highlanders performance /  Main Field – Center
6:50pm: Camper’s Parade / Track
7:30pm: Sheep Dog Demonstration / Main Field - Center
8:15pm: Clan representatives muster for Torch Light Ceremony  / MacRae Morton Memorial
8:15pm: North American Academy of Piping & Drumming performance  /  Main Field - Center
8:50pm: Welcome & Introductions /  Review Stand
9:00pm - 10:15pm: Quiet Time - all venues for Torchlight Ceremony
9:00pm: Torch Light Ceremony /  Main Field
10:15pm: End of Thursday’s field activities

Friday, July 7, 2023  

6:00am: Gate 3 opens
6:00am: Clan Sponsors may enter Gate 3 to load/unload on field – vehicles must be out by 7:45 AM
7:00am: Shuttle Buses Open
8:00am: All gates open to public
8:30am: Highland Dance Pre-Championship competition warm-up / Dance Platforms
9:00am: “A” & “B” Class Amateurs Heavy Athletics begins / Main Field - Left
9:30am: Highland Dance Pre-Championship competition / Dance Platforms
10:00am: Celtic Groves entertainment begins / All Groves
11:00am - 11:30am: Quiet Time - all venues for Opening Ceremony
11:00am: Opening Ceremony
11:00am: Whiskey Shipwrecked  / Scottish Cultural Village Tent
11:00am: Whisky Tasting (pre-purchased tickets) / Preachers Rock
11:30am: Resume exhibitions, competitions & entertainment in all venues
11:30am: Tea - From Plantations to Teapots / Scottish Cultural Village Tent
11:30am: Sheep Dog Demonstration / Main Field - Center
12:00pm: Band Concert / Scottish Cultural Village Tent
12:00pm: Children’s Caber Toss Clinic / Main Field - Right
12:30pm: Whisky Tasting (Pre-purchased tickets) / Preacher Rock
1:30pm: "Outlander Group" Parade / Track
1:30pm: The Robert Burns Birthplace Museum / Scottish Cultural Village Tent
2:00pm: Sheep Dog Demonstration / Main Field - Center
2:30pm: Clans, Chiefs and Coat of Arms / Scottish Cultural Village Tent
3:00pm: The Bagpipe – It’s History and Lore / Scottish Cultural Village
3:00pm: Gaelic Sing Along followed by Introduction to the Gaelic Language / Gaelic Tent
3:30pm: Whisky Tasting (pre-purchased tickets) / Preachers Rock
4:00pm: Wanna be a Scot? 201 / Scottish Cultural Village
4:30pm: End of Friday’s Field Activities
4:30pm: End of Celtic Grove performances
6:00pm: The Hebridean Baker Ceilidh/ Preacher Rock
6:30pm - 10:00pm: Friday Night Celtic Rock Concert / Gates 2 & 3 open at 6:00 p.m.
7:00pm: Patron’s Reception / Best Western in Banner Elk  

Saturday, July 8, 2023

6:00am: Gates 3 opens
6:00am: Clan vehicles may enter & load / unload on field – vehicles must be out by 7:30 AM
7:00am: Shuttle Buses Open
7:30am: All gates open to public
8:00am: “Elite” Women Heavy Athletics Qualifying begins / Main Field - Left
8:00am: Highland Dancing Atlantic International Championship competition / Dance Platforms
8:30am: “Professional” Class Heavy Athletics begins / Main Field - Left
8:30am: Piping competition begins / Hillside & Infield
9:00am: Harp Competition Registration / Harp Tent
9:30am: Highland Wrestling - Cumberland Style / Main Field – Right
10:00am: Celtic Groves entertainment begins
11:00am - 11:50am: Harp Competition / Harp Tent
11:00am - 11:50am: Quiet Time - all venues for Opening Ceremony
11:00am: Opening Ceremony
11:00am: The Role of Scottish Immigrants in the Birth of American Whisky / Scottish Cultural Village Tent
11:00am: Whisky Tasting (pre-purchased tickets) / Preachers Rock
11:30am: Tea - From Plantations to Teapots  / Scottish Cultural Village Tent
11:30am: Gaelic Sing Along followed by Introduction to the Gaelic Language / Gaelic Tent
11:50am: Resume exhibitions, competitions & entertainment in all venues
11:50am: Massed Bands performance / Main Field - Center
12:00pm - 1:30pm: Band Concert / Scottish Cultural Village Tent
12:10pm: Track & Field competition begins / Main Field & Track
12:10pm: Sheep Dog Demonstration / Main Field – Center
12:30pm: Whisky Tasting (pre-purchased tickets)  / Preacher Rock
1:00pm: Pre-premier Highland Dance competition / Dance Platforms (starts after Championship)
1:00pm: Gaelic Sing Along followed by Introduction to the Gaelic Language / Gaelic Tent
1:15pm: Professional Caber Toss / Main Field – Center
1:15pm: Children’s Wrestling Competition / Main Field – Right
1:30pm: Whisky Tasting (pre-purchased tickets) / Preachers Rock
1:30pm: The Robert Burns Birthplace Museum /Scottish Cultural Village Tent
2:00pm: Scottish Fiddling Competition / Fiddle Tent
2:00pm: Harp Solo Performance by Jen Narkevickius / Harp Tent
2:00pm: Whisky Tasting (pre-purchased tickets) / Preacher Rock
2:30pm: Sheep Dog Demonstration / Main Field – Center
2:30pm: Clans, Chiefs and Coat of Arms  / Scottish Cultural Village Tent
3:00pm: The Bagpipe –It’s History and Lore / Scottish Cultural Village Tent
3:30pm: Whisky Tasting (pre-purchased tickets) / Preachers Rock
3:00pm - 5:00pm: NC Provincial Gaelic Mod / Gaelic Tent
3:30pm: Wanna be a Scot? 201 / Scottish Cultural Village Tent
4:00pm: End of Saturday’s field activities
5:00pm: End of Celtic Grove performances
5:00pm: Last Shuttle Buses Depart
6:00pm: The Hebridean Baker Ceilidh/ Preacher Rock
6:30pm - 10:00pm: Saturday Night Celtic Jam Concert / Gates 2 & 3 open at 6:00 p.m.

Sunday, July 9, 2023

6:00am: Gate 3 opens
6:00am: Clan vehicles may enter & load / unload on field – vehicles must be out by 7:45 AM
7:00am: Shuttle Buses Open
8:00am: All gates open to public
8:00am: Scottish Heavy Athletics Demonstration & Clinic / Main Field
8:00am: Highland Dancing - Pre-premier competition begins / Dance Platforms   
8:30am: Master Professional Scottish Heavy athletic competition begins / Main Field - Left
10:00am: Worship Service & Kirkin’ of the Tartan / Worship Service Platform
11:30am - 1:05pm: Quiet Time - Parade of Tartans – Massed Bands - all venues except Highland Dancing
11:30am: Parade of Tartans / Main Field & Track
12:30pm: Scottish Fiddle Workshop / Fiddle Tent
12:45pm - 1:00pm: Quiet Time - all venues - Welcome, Intros & Awards  
12:45pm: (Approx.) Welcome, Intros, Etc. / Review Stand
1:00pm: Band Concert / Scottish Cultural Village Tent
1:00pm: Scottish Fiddle Workshop & Jam / Fiddle Tent
1:05pm: Resume exhibitions, competitions & entertainment in all venues
1:05pm: Kilted Running Events (Adult & Children) / Athletic Tent / Track
1:05pm: Sheep Dog Demonstration with Children / Main Field – Center
1:05pm: Children’s events (tug-of-war, caber-toss, sheath toss, etc.) / Main Field – Right / Track
1:05pm: Masters Heavy Athletic Events / Main Field - Left
1:30pm: Gaelic Sing Along followed by Introduction to the Gaelic Language / Gaelic Tent
1:30pm: Memorial Service for Sandy Jones / Preacher Rock
2:00pm: Scottish Fiddle Workshop & Jam / Fiddle Tent
2:30pm: The Bagpipe – It’s History and Lore / Scottish Cultural Village Tent
3:00pm: Clan Tug of War / Main Field – Right
3:00pm: Wanna be a Scot? 201 / Scottish Cultural Village Tent
3:30pm: Sheep Dog Demonstration / Main Field – Center
3:55pm: Celtic Groves Gather
3:55pm: Performers Parade to Closing Ceremony / Review Stand
4:00pm: Closing Ceremony / Main Field / Front Center
4:00pm: End of Sunday’s field activities
5:00pm: Last Shuttles Depart

Date: Thursday, July 6, 2023 - Sunday, July 9, 2023

Location: MacRae Meadows - Blowing Rock Hwy, Linville, NC 28646

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