Schedule of Events
Visit Scotland for the Day in 2023!
Visit Scotland for the day at the 52nd Annual Charleston Scottish Games and Highland Gathering! Organized by the Scottish Society of Charleston, this event brings in over 8,000 guests and is the second oldest event of its kind in the southeast. Known to be one of the best and friendliest Games in the United States, this year’s Games will bring new levels of excitement and fun to the Lowcountry. Get your tickets and make your plans to visit Scotland for the day!
With an event for everyone, the Annual Charleston Scottish Games are a thrill for young and old. Revisit the rich Scottish history with our lineup of entertaining events. We will be hosting professional and amateur heavy athletic competitions, pipe band competitions, highland dancing competitions, Scottish country dancing, border collie demonstrations, and more.
An Event For Everyone
Which clan do you hail from? Discover your Scottish lineage at our genealogy tent. Then, learn more of your heritage at the many clan tents that will be on the grounds. For those who are not formally Scottish, become so for the day! Visit each clan tent to learn more of their history, traditions, and impact on the American culture we know today.
Dance along with the sounds of live Celtic bands as a variety of performers fill the air with Scottish-inspired music. Find your fill of delicious Scottish food and beer, and revel in the merriment of the annual Charleston Scottish Games!
Highlight of Events
Calling of the Clans Ceilidh
Friday, November 3rd, 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Scotch Tasting (limited tickets)
Live Music
Food Trucks
Calling of the Clans Ceremony
Riverfront Park
1061 Everglades Ave
North Charleston, SC 29405
Saturday, November 4th, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Scotch Whisky Tasting @ the 52nd Charleston Scottish Games
The Charleston Scottish Games
Saturday, November 4th, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Gates Open at 8:00 am
52nd Annual Charleston Scottish Games and Highland Gathering
Riverfront Park
1061 Everglades Ave
North Charleston, SC 29405
Sunday, November 5th, 8:45 am &11:15 am
Kirkin o’ the Tartan
First (Scots) Presbyterian Church
53 Meeting Street
Charleston, SC 29401
1. Athletic Competitions
Watch professional, amateur, and elite amateur athletes compete in traditional Scottish heavy athletic competitions. Watch strength and skill come together at the day’s Putting of the Stone and Weight Throws, Sheaf Toss, Caber Toss, and more. Witness first hand which competitor wins all and cheer with the crowds all while learning more of the rich traditions of Scotland.
2. Pipe Band Music
Bagpipes are synonymous with Scottish history. Experience for yourself the melody of bagpipes over rolling drums.. You’ll find yourself tapping, swaying, and maybe even dancing along to rhythms and songs as rich and traditional as Scotland itself.
3. Highland Dancing competitions
Experience the spectacle as different highland dancers perform in a competition of form, technique, stamina, and strength. Highland dancing is a recognized sport and one viewing of this dance, you will see why. Highland dancing offers an exclusive view of the rich traditions and heritage of Scottish people and is not to be missed!
4. Border Collie Demonstrations
A crowd favorite, the border collie demonstrations delight with displays of intelligence, obedience, and great skill. These energetic and attentive dogs were developed in the Border region of Scotland in the 1700s and are world-renowned for their herding abilities. Kids, adults, and every visitor in between will cheer as border collies and their handlers show off impeccable herding skills.
5. Live Music
Celtic-inspired live music fills the grounds with sounds that can’t be missed! With incredible notes from Scotland and a blend of modern vibes, this band is sure to be pleasing to the ear in our Lowcountry setting!
6. Children’s Events
There will be activities for the kids at this year’s Games.
7. Live Music by Syr
SYR (“sire”) is a Celtic Folk Rock band from Columbia, SC. Taking inspiration from Celtic history, stories and myth, SYR creates powerful songs with themes of battle, love and victory, celebrating the rich heritage of the Celtic Nations in a contemporary style with broad audience appeal.
SYR’s reputation for a high-energy performance has made them a popular attraction for many Celtic festivals and events, building a following across the US and internationally. (from https://www.syrmusic.com/)
8. Scotch Whisky Tasting
This year’s tasting will be an informal tasting, meaning you get to choose which scotches you wish to taste. The tasting will run from 11 am till 4 pm and will consist of approximately 30 Scotches. There is no appointment time needed, you may come and go as you please, tasting throughout the day if you choose. Entry is 21 years old and older. Upon entry, you may purchase tasting tokens or chips for $5. Most Scotch tastes will be set at $5, but there will be some rarer Scotches that will cost two chips or $10 per taste. This year we are honored to have 2 Scotch ambassadors representing some of the most prestigious scotches in the world.
Some of the Scotches that will be included are: Macallan, Balvenie, Dalmore, BenRiach, GlenDronach, Glenglassaugh, Glenrothes, Highland Park, Jura, Lagavulin, Laphroaig, and many more.
2023 Schedule of Events
8:00 A.M. GATES OPEN
Open Men and Women’s Qualifying – North Field
8:30
Amateur Athletes – Clachneart – North Field
9:00
Highland Dancing Competition Begins – South Field (Entry Gate)
Children’s Area Open – Playground/Pavilion
Elite Amateur Athletes – Clachneart – North Field
Open Men and Women’s – 56 lb. wt. – North Field
9:30
Amateur Athletes – Sheaf Toss – North Field
Jamie McGeechan – Entertainment Tent – South Field
10:00
Elite Amateur Athletes – 56 lb. wt. – North Field
Scottish Fiddling Competition Begins – Fiddling Tent Riverside
Beer Tents Open
Greenville Pipe & Drum Concert – South Field
10:30
Syr – Entertainment Tent – South Field
Sheep Dog Demonstration – South Field
Elite Amateur Athletes – 28 lb. wt. – North Field
Open Men and Women’s 56 lb. wt. – North Field
Scottish Country Dancers – Pier
11:00- Scotch Tasting Opens
Elite Amateur Athletes – Hammer Throw – North Field
Scotch Tasting Open– Scotch Tasting Tent -North Field
11:30 Opening Ceremonies
Opening Ceremonies – Parade of Tartans – Massed Bands – North Field
12:30
Jamie MaGeechan – Entertainment Tent
Amateur Athletes – 28 lb. wt. – North Field
Elite Amateur Athletes – Caber Toss – North Field
Highland Dancing Competition Resumes – South Field (Entry Gate)
Charleston Pipe Band Concert – South Field
Scottish Country Dancers – Pier
Best Clan Tent Judging Begins
Sheep Dog Demonstration – South Field
1:30
Open Men and Women’s – Hammer Toss – North Field
Scottish Fiddling Jam Session – Fiddling Tent Riverside
1:45
Syr – Entertainment Tent – South Field
2:00
Elite Amateur Athletes – Sheaf Toss – North Field
Hurling Demo – North Field
2:30
Scottish Country Dancers – Pier
2:45
Jamie McGeechan – Entertainment Tent – South Field
3:00
Open Men and Women’s – Caber – North Field
Elite Amateur Athletes – 56 lb. wt. – North Field
3:30
Syr – Entertainment Tent – South Field
4:00
Scottish Fiddling Awards Ceremony – Fiddling Tent Riverside
Scotch Tasting Ends– Scotch Tasting Tent
4:30
Massed Bands – North Field
5:00 Closing Ceremonies – North Field