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:

Thursday, July 11, 2024:

11:00 am: Children’s Wrestling Clinic - Main Field

1:00 pm: Clan Sponsors may load - unload on field - must be out by 3:30 pm

2:00 pm: Whisky Tasting (pre-purchased tickets) - Best Western

4:00 pm: MacRae Meadows open - Gates 2 and 3 - Ticket sales begin

5:00 pm: Sheep Dog Demonstration - Main Field - Center

5:30 pm: Special entertainment - Review Stand

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

6:30 pm: Grandfather Mountain Highlanders performance -  Main Field – Center

6:50 pm: Camper’s Parade - Track

7:30 pm: Sheep Dog Demonstration - Main Field - Center

8:15 pm:

-Clan representatives muster for Torch Light Ceremony  - MacRae Morton Memorial

-North American Academy of Piping and Drumming performance  -  Main Field - Center

8:50 pm: Welcome and Introductions -  Review Stand

9:00 pm - 10:15 pm: Quiet Time - all venues for Torchlight Ceremony

9:00 pm: Torch Light Ceremony -  Main Field

10:15 pm: End of Thursday’s field activities

Friday, July 12, 2024:

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

Saturday, July 13, 2024:

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

Sunday, July 14, 2024:

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

Dates:

Thursday, July 11, 2024 - Sunday, July 14, 2024

Location: 

MacRae Meadows - Blowing Rock Hwy, Linville, NC 28646.

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