Event Info

Join us as we celebrate all things Scottish

It’s almost time for the 53rd Annual Scottish Games and Highland Gathering in Charleston! Join us at this incredible event, organized by the Scottish Society of Charleston, as we travel to Scotland for the day. Celebrate and enjoy the rich history and culture of Scotland with an incredible line up of events ranging from athletics to live music. Thrill at competitions of athletic prowess, musical skill on the legendary bagpipes, and the beauty of highland dance.

There’s something for everyone at the Games
with wonderful events including:

  • Athletic Competitions
  • Pipe Bands
  • Highland Dancing Competitions
  • Border Collie Demonstrations
  • Live Music
  • Scotch Tasting
  • And Much More!

Scottish Games Ticket Prices

Ticket Sales:

Advance Tickets: $35.00 per person
Day of Tickets: $45.00 per person
6-12: $5.00 per person
Under 5: Free

Patron Packages

SOLD OUT

VIP Tent Wine Sponsor

53 years of Community & Celebration

Our first event was held in 1971, making the Charleston Scottish Games and Highland Gathering the second oldest event of its kind in the Southeast. Bringing together members of the local community as well as the regional area, this is a great time for folks to gather and celebrate or learn more about Scottish history, heritage and culture.

The Scottish people have made a large impact on South Carolina, helping it to become the state it is today. From music and food, to political and scientific contributions, Scottish heritage is something to be celebrated and promoted in modern life. The Charleston Scottish Games and Highland Gathering is on a mission to do just that. The Games showcases Scottish traditions, culture, and history in a fun and interactive way for people all over the world.

Highlight of Events

Calling of the Clans Ceilidh
(ticketed event)

Friday, November 1st
5:00 pm – 9:00 pm 

Scotch Tasting (upgraded admission ticket, limited availability)
Live Music
Food Trucks
Calling of the Clans Ceremony

Riverfront Park
1061 Everglades Ave
North Charleston, SC 29405

The Charleston Scottish Games (ticketed event)

Saturday, November 2nd
9:00 am – 5:00 pm

53rd Annual Charleston Scottish Games and Highland Gathering

Riverfront Park
1061 Everglades Ave
North Charleston, SC 29405

Scotch Tasting at the Games

Saturday, November 2nd
11:00 am to 4:00 pm

Scotch Whisky Tasting at the 53rd Charleston Scottish Games (token purchase at the Scotch tent)

Sunday, November 3rd, 8:45 am & 11:15 am (free event)

Kirkin o’ the Tartan

First (Scots) Presbyterian Church
53 Meeting Street
Charleston, SC 29401

On the Banks of the Cooper River

 

This year, The 53rd Annual Charleston Scottish Games and Highland Gathering will be held November 2nd at beautiful Riverfront Park in North Charleston. Set on the banks of the Cooper River, the park is adjacent to the historic homes once occupied by Naval officers who were stationed on the Charleston Naval Base. Surrounded by graceful grand oak trees and peaceful river vistas. Bordered by Noisette Creek, the park boasts a magnificent contemporary Performance Pavilion and meadow, creating an amazing space for our incredible event.

Riverfront Park is also the home to the Greater Charleston Naval Base Memorial, erected in honor of the countless military personnel and civilians that served the United States and the Greater Charleston region while the Charleston Navy Base was operational. The Memorial is the only location in the United States that displays both the Lone Sailor and the Homecoming statues.

Riverfront Park
061 Everglades Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 308-4746

Performers

Seven Nations

Celtic Folk Rock

Albannach Bareknuckle Pipes & Drums band

The story of SEVEN NATIONS is that of a truly original and determined band that began in New York City, with members now hailing from California, to Toronto, to Florida. They have for years booked their own tours,and have had their own PBS and CNN specials. Throw away any preconceived notions you may have about Celtic music…this is a band that has invented its own sound and attracted a prodigious national and international following.

Seven Nations is not your father’s Celtic band. With a passionate, tender, and rollicking style that winningly veers from roots and folk to dance and fusion-rock, Seven Nations has earned a growing reputation as an adventurous band with a charismatic stage presence.

“Seven Nations — the name refers to the seven original Celtic nations of Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Cornwall, Galecia, Isle of Man, and Brittany — officially began in 1993 in New York City with a standard line-up of drums, guitars, and bass,” notes lead singer and guitarist Kirk McLeod. “We soon introduced bagpipes into the show, and over time the number of songs utilizing bagpipes grew until it became obvious that they were integral to our emerging sound,” says McLeod. “Most of the band members grew up playing Celtic music, and we’ve been performing original compositions since we began. Our instrumentation, and bagpipes and fiddle mostly, give us a distinctive sound and that’s what makes us different.”

Seven Nations has been touring full-time since 1994 with successful stops in Europe, Canada, Puerto Rico, and  every state in the US including Alaska and Hawaii. The band has recorded a number of albums with over a half million units in sales. The band’s latest album, Tales from the Eighth Nations, has been praised for “having the appeal of the original albums, yet a mature songwriting style. The lyrics are relatable, surprising, and the pipe/fiddle hooks stir a desire to listen to the album over and over.”
Its versatile and dynamic style has stamped Seven Nations as a highly book-able band, with an ever increasing and loyal fan base. The group has performed at a variety of venues, from nightclubs and theaters to festivals and street fairs. They’ve done it all. Recently, garnering the attention of the Orchestra world by including dates with several American orchestras, most notably the multi-Grammy-winning Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Jacksonville Symphony, and the South Carolina Philharmonic. They also became the first Celtic rock band to bring this exhilarating collaboration to the stage at an outdoor Irish festival, when they performed an entire show with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra at the Dublin Irish Festival.

In addition, Seven Nations has played the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, a New Year’s Eve performance at Scotland’s Royal Mile for some 40,000 people, and at the New York City Marathon. Seven Nations has been the subject of a multi-million dollar advertising campaign and appeared in over 20 major publications including Rolling Stone, Billboard, Playboy, Maxim, GQ, Stuff, and FHM.

2024 is an exciting year for Seven Nations. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the band’s first album release, Rain and Thunder, and the beginning of their nonstop mission to bring their unique brand of music to the masses through a multitude of live shows and constant touring. Now with 16 albums under their belt, the 30th anniversary of the band will mark the release of their 17th album Tales From The Eighth Nation Volume 2. This very special album  will highlight the return of many of the prominent faces who have recorded and toured with the band over the last three decades. It will surely be a riveting and vitalizing year to join them for the ride!

Moonlight Ale

Celtic-Inspired Folk Band

Moonlight Ale has performed throughout the Carolinas for the more than 20 years.
With the current lineup in place since 2017, the band has honed its sound in the barrooms, pubs, breweries, and stages of Charleston, South Carolina and beyond. While Irish at its core, the band often flexes towards Americana and folk stylings, and plays year-round. Of course, we’re known for the Ale Trail, our annual takeover of the Charleston, SC (and beyond) music scene on St. Patrick’s Day weekend and March in general.

With five distinct instruments and four members providing vocals, the band creates a tasteful, dynamic, and joyous atmosphere with our live performances.

Still Have Questions?

Contact us if you have any questions about the event, area, or accommodations!