LINCOLN, N.H. – Get your Scot on at the 48th Annual New Hampshire Highland Games & Festival, September 15 – 17 at Loon Mountain Resort in Lincoln, NH. Presented by NHSCOT, this three-day celebration showcases the sights, sounds, and spirit of Scotland through traditional heavy athletics, music and entertainment, food and drink, cultural activities, and more.

Each year, the NH Highland Games & Festival draws a crowd of more than 35,000 people and welcomes visitors, competitors, and vendors from around the world. This year’s notable figures include Gary Maclean, Scotland’s National Chef, and winner of MasterChef: The Professionals. During Games weekend, he will be hosting numerous cooking demonstrations as well as a book signing for his newly released cookbook, Scottish Kitchen Cookery.

“The NH Highland Games & Festival is a happy event that many families and friends look forward to each year,” explains Terri Wiltse, NHSCOT’s Executive Director. “Attendees of all ages find something that suits their interest, whether it’s watching the sheep dog trials, dancing under the concert tent, visiting with the Highland cows, or sipping a dram of whisky.”

Weekend-Long Competitions in Athletics, Music & More

Competitive events are a key part of the Highland Games, providing a venue for athletes, dancers, and musicians to compare skills while creating spectacular entertainment all weekend. Throughout the weekend, pipers, drummers, harpists, dancers, and fiddlers also showcase their skills in competitions open for public viewing. Fan favorites include the Sheep Dog Trials on Friday and Heavy Athletic Competitions on Saturday and Sunday.

This year, athletes from the United States, Canada, Iceland, Scotland and other European countries will participate in traditional heavy athletic competitions including the Caber Toss, Weight Over Bar, and Loon Stone Carry.

New on Friday, Parade Square will come alive with Clach Neart, a stone lifting event. Clach Neart is Gaelic for stones of strength. For thousands of years, stones have been used as a test of strength and a gauge of manhood. Lifting a stone can arguably be called the ultimate test of strength as every muscle in the body is used and taxed to their limits. Be a witness to amazing feats of strength during this new stone lifting event.

The Sounds of Scotland in NH’s White Mountains

Games attendees can enjoy a variety of musical performances throughout the weekend, ranging from Celtic rock to traditional Scottish songs and ballads. A crowd-favorite is Massed Bands, a ceremonial performance featuring two-dozen pipe and drum bands gathering to perform in unison.

This year’s Games will also see the return of The Red Hot Chilli Pipers, the world’s most famous bagpipe band, who will be performing a variety of set times during the Games in addition to headlining the Saturday Night Concert with Albannach, scheduled for September 16 at 7:30pm. Other bands performing throughout the weekend include American Rogues, The Rebel Collective, and Ramblxr.

Immersive Shopping, Dining, and Drinking

Across the grounds, festivalgoers can absorb the culture and fares of Scotland. A stroll through Clan Village allows guests to discover their Scottish roots by talking with representatives of 60+ Scottish clans while the Historic Encampment showcases everyday life in the Scottish Highlands during the 14th – 18th centuries.

Vendor Village is home to more than 30 vendors selling tartan wearables, traditional Scottish sweets, bagpiping supplies, and various other Celtic items. Food vendors will also be on-site selling a range of Scottish cuisine: Scotch Eggs, meat pies, scones, shortbreads, and more, giving attendees a chance to explore the flavors of Scotland. Beer tents will be set up throughout the venue.

The Second Annual Scotch Ale Tasting and Competition will take place on Sunday, September 17 and showcases Scotch Ales from eight local breweries. This tasting is 21+ and an additional ticket is required for this event.

Embrace Scottish Culture Hands-On Activities and Seminars

The NH Highland Games & Festival is more than a spectator event and offers multiple opportunities for attendees to learn something new while celebrating the culture of the Scottish Highlands. Free Try It classes continue to grow in popularity with attendees, allowing hands-on experiences for all ages. Topics include:

Bagpipe Try It, Sponsored by Gibson Bagpipes

Beat It, Drum Classes

Ceilidh Dancing

Drum Major Classes

Gaelic Lessons

Harp Try It

Highland Dance

Mas-Wrestling (Swingle Tree)

Scottish Country Dancing

Stone Lifting

Street Curling

Michael Eagle, a master of the rudimental drumming style will be instructing an interactive Snare Drum Try It, which will reveal the secrets of the unique and storied style of Scottish Pipe Bands.

A variety of seminars will also take place throughout the weekend. In addition to Chef Gary Maclean’s cooking demonstrations, attendees can hear stories from Scotland with Laura Goodman, visit with the Highland Cattle from Miles Smith Farm (Loudon, NH), or listen to David Brody discuss Prince Henry Sinclair and the Exploration of America Before Columbus. NHSCOT will also be holding a seminar with Collette Tours to discuss upcoming trips to Scotland in Summer 2024.

The Bairns & Weans Children’s Program features special activities for children, such as crafts, storytelling, athletic games, and music and dance demonstrations.

A complete list of Try Its, seminars and children’s programming will be available in early August.

Enhance Your Games Experience

Attendees can elevate their Games experience through a variety of Special Ticketed Events, with topics ranging from music and performance to food and drink, and dinners with entertainment.

A new event this year is Scottish Spirits & Stories, which pairs cocktails with lively stories of Scotland. Sit fireside and listen along as historian and storyteller, Laura Goodman, beautifully describes the haunted, spooky scenes of Scotland from the highlands of New Hampshire. Guests will decide for themselves whether the stories being shared are historic truth or fiction – it’s all part of the mystique. This event will take place on Friday, September 15 at 6:30 and 8:00pm.

Ticket Information

The New Hampshire Highland Games & Festival offers single-day tickets and 3-day weekend passes. Tickets are available online at nhscot.org. Advance ticket purchases are recommended to expedite gate entrance. Single-day Saturday tickets sell out early.

Ticket prices are $35 for Friday admission; $59 for Saturday admission; $35 for Sunday admission and $99 for 3-day weekend passes. Single-day tickets for children ages 6 to 14 are $5; 3-day weekend passes for children ages 6 to 14 are $10. Children 5 and under are admitted free with a paying adult.

Attendees have access to festival grounds from 8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. daily; additional ticketed evening events will be held at various onsite and offsite locations throughout the weekend. The event is held rain or shine. Pets are not allowed on the grounds or in vehicles. Service dogs are admitted.

The New Hampshire Highland Games are presented by NHSCOT, a nonprofit corporation dedicated to preserving and promoting Scottish culture for future generations. The success of these Games, now in its 48th year, is a testimony to the enduring and welcoming spirit of this organization. Additional information is available on NHSCOT’s website: nhscot.org.