Highland Games set to return to Grandfather Mountain’s MacRae Meadows
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LINVILLE, N.C. – The long and storied tradition that is the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games returns to MacRae Meadows on Thursday, July 9, continuing through Sunday, July 12.
This marks the 70th year for the beloved and historic celebration of Scottish ancestry and heritage, with the popular festival once again bringing a “wee bit o’ Scotland” to the High Country of North Carolina.
“Considering five of the past seven years have seen record attendance, we are anticipating a large, enthusiastic crowd at this year’s games,” said Stephen Quillin, president of the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games. “It is always a special gathering packed full of cultural events and excitement, and we can’t wait to see what fun awaits.”
Throughout the weekend of events, guests can take in the awe-inspiring spectacle of traditional Scottish athletic competitions, which includes Scottish heavy athletics, track and field competitions, Highland wrestling and more.
Additionally, guests can enjoy signature Scottish cuisine, cultural enrichments, traditional and contemporary Scottish music, dancing competitions, the Parade of Tartans and the ever-popular sheep dog herding demonstration. The Highland Games offers a unique experience for the whole family that guests will enjoy regardless of their lineage.
Grandfather Mountain provides a distinct backdrop to these games that is not so different from the original Braemar Gathering that inspired the founders of the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games decades ago.
Operated and organized by Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, Inc., the festivities begin Thursday, July 9, with Celtic entertainment and border collie sheepherding demonstrations. New this year, sheep shearing will be offered for the first time in the history of the games.
Shortly thereafter, the games officially get underway with the Torch Light Ceremony on Thursday evening, where representatives from all clans — many of whom travel from across the country and world to attend the games each year — announce their families’ participation in the gathering. Truly a sight to behold, the “raising of the clans” proclaims that they have convened to celebrate their heritage.
This year, 108 clans will be represented on the field, as well as 14 educational and cultural societies. This includes Clan Gunn as “Honored Clan.” John Gunn, their Chieftain, will be serving as the Chieftain of the Games. The “Distinguished Clan” is Clan Lamont, and their chieftain is Scott Turner.
Friday offers a full day of activities with Highland dance competitions, Celtic Grove music performances, a children’s caber toss clinic, amateur heavy athletics and the Celtic Rock Concert that night.
Saturday sees the start of both the “Elite” Women Heavy Athletics Qualifying and the “Professional” Class Heavy Athletics, including such feats of strength as the caber toss, the sheaf toss, the hammer throw and others. During the day, piping and harp competitions will take place, as well as additional musical entertainment, culminating in the much-anticipated nighttime Celtic Jam Concert.
Among this year’s musical talent is Seven Nations as the lead Celtic rock band and the Seán Heely Band as the lead traditional Celtic band — along with plenty of other performers.
Cultural experiences will be offered in the award-winning Scottish Cultural Village Tent over the course of the weekend, which is celebrating its 11th year. The 2026 Village programming includes topics such as the history of the Hebrides, Scotch and American whiskies, Scotland’s dark trials and executions, costuming for the show Outlander and more.
Athletic events are repeated on Sunday for amateurs and athletes 40 and older, in addition to the Parade of Tartans, kilted running events, children’s events and the Clan Tug of War. The weekend’s programming concludes Sunday afternoon with the closing ceremonies.
To learn more about admission to the 2026 Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, including parking and shuttle bus information, call 828-733-1333 or visit www.gmhg.org. For lodging and travel information, contact the N.C. High Country Host Regional Visitor Center at 800-438-7500 or visit www.highcountryhost.com.
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Captions:
2025 Highland Games_Photo by Skip Sickler_Courtesy of Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation: The long and storied tradition that is the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games returns to MacRae Meadows on Thursday, July 9, continuing through Sunday, July 12. This marks the 70th year for the beloved and historic celebration of Scottish ancestry and heritage, with the popular festival once again bringing a “wee bit o’ Scotland” to the High Country of North Carolina. (Photo Courtesy of Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation / Skip Sickler)
2025 GMHG Torch Lighting_Photo by Skip Sickler_Courtesy of Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation: Throughout the weekend of events, guests can take in the awe-inspiring spectacle of traditional Scottish athletic competitions while enjoying signature Scottish cuisine, cultural enrichments, traditional and contemporary Scottish music, dancing competitions, the Parade of Tartans and the ever-popular sheep dog herding demonstration. (Photo Courtesy of Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation / Skip Sickler)
2025 GMHG Heavy Athletics_Photo by Skip Sickler_Courtesy of Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation: Saturday at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games sees the start of both the “Elite” Women Heavy Athletics Qualifying and the “Professional” Class Heavy Athletics, including such feats of strength as the caber toss, the sheaf toss, the hammer throw and others. During the day, piping and harp competitions will take place, as well as additional musical entertainment, culminating in the much-anticipated nighttime Celtic Jam Concert. (Photo Courtesy of Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation / Skip Sickler)
