Smoky Mountain Scottish Festival and Games

06/18/2024

How many red heads did we have at the 2024 Smoky Mountain Festival?! 🤩

Here's an interesting read:

What’s the real reason why Scotland is home to so many redheads?

06/14/2024

Game’s at 3 pm! Let’s go Scotland National Team 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Let’s kick things off 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

🆚 Germany v Scotland
🏆 EURO 2024
⏰ 8pm
🏟️ Munich Football Arena
📺 Live on STV
➡️ Preview: scotfa.co/gerscoprv

|

06/11/2024

For our football fans, the Euros kick off this week! Scotland take on Germany on Friday! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿⚽️

06/05/2024

Bluegrass 🤝 Celtic Music.

For those in the area, what a fun way to get involved with local music!!! 🎶

The cultural connections between Ireland, Scotland, and Appalachia are prevalent, especially to those with a knack to dig into their ancestry. According to the Tennessee census bureau, one in five Tennesseans has roots traced back directly to 18th-century Scots-Irish settlers.

"Bluegrass and Celtic music share a lively spirit, with fiddles, banjos, and rapid upbeat tempos. This musical connection reflects the deep roots of Scotch-Irish immigrants who brought their own traditions to Appalachia. This uniquely created sound echoes across the Atlantic and has continued to evolve throughout generations."

Learn More Here: https://northeasttennessee.org/echoes-of-the-highlands-exploring-scots-irish-heritage-in-appalachia/

Get involved: East Tennessee State University Appalachian Highlands Celts Upper East Tennessee Fiddler's Convention Birthplace of Country Music Museum

05/23/2024

Just in case you didn’t get enough (and you can never get enough), head over to Greenville, SC for the Greenville Scottish Games Saturday, May 25th 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

05/22/2024

This one’s for our VOLUNTEERS! 👏

We could not do this festival without our volunteers. Over 200 people donated their precious time to us. THANK YOU! A special thank you to those that laid hay and sand. We know that wasn’t in the job description. 😉

(If you volunteered and have pictures, please drop them below! We want to see your face and thank you!💙)

05/21/2024

😂🤣🤣

The annual serenade o’ the port-a-potty at the Smoky Mountain Scottish Festival & Highland Games.

05/21/2024

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Thank you to all of our sponsors who support not only our mission, but many events in the community! We wouldn’t be able to make our games a success without them! If you have a chance, please go check them out, give them a follow, comment on their posts! Let’s show them the same support they continue to show us. 💙🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

05/20/2024

A special thank you to Deep Roots Home Improvement for their sponsorship! They helped us put on one deck of a festival! 🤩

Locally owned & operated, these guys do fantastic work. We’re so glad they’re a part of the games this year!

05/20/2024

Congratulations to Clan Ross - Tennessee on winning the Clan Challenge! 🤩

05/19/2024

One of our favorite tunes from 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🍊

05/19/2024

Honored Clan: Clan MacLaren.. Thank you to all the clans who came out to be with us this weekend! The Scottish community is second to none. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

05/19/2024

A special thank you to Boyd's Jig & Reel for sponsoring our stages and helping us to bring amazing talent to the Smoky Mountain Smoky Scottish Festival and Games!

Ready for Day 2 of the Smoky Mountain Scottish Festival and Games! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🎶☘️ Here’s where you can find us…

9-9:45 | Pre-Kirkin o’ the Tartan music at the Edinburgh Stage

3-3:45 | Final set at the Glasgow Stage

Thanks again to the festival for having us, and to everyone who’s come out to see us so far! This is our first time performing in Tennessee, so we’ve enjoyed seeing all the new faces (and the gorgeous scenery!)

05/19/2024

Day 2 of the Smoky Mountain Scottish Festival & Highland Games! 🤩 See you soon!

05/18/2024

We’re having a time at the 42nd Annual Smoky Mountain Scottish Festival & Highland Games! Join us at 7:00 pm for Ceilidh! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

05/18/2024

The Clans are here! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

05/16/2024

Last-minute accommodations available with our sponsor at BLUE HERON INN ON LITTLE RIVER! ✨

Riverfront Hummingbird Room @ Blue Heron Inn

05/16/2024

SHOP LOCAL 💙 We can't get enough of Townsend Mercantile Co! From the perfect gift tof local goods to beautiful Smoky Mtn. shirts, we love all that it has to offer. Be sure to visit them while you're in town and let them know we sent you!

Inspired by the historical significance of Townsend Mercantile Co., Brooke Webb revived the cherished establishment that once served as a general store for the Little River Railroad.

"The roots of my husband's family homestead in Townsend trace back to the early 1800s. We hope that our store represents The Peaceful Side of the Smokies." - Owner, Brooke Webb

05/16/2024

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Welcome to the 42nd Annual Smoky Mountain Scottish Festival & Highland Games! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

The wait is over, folks! Don your kilts, dust off those bagpipes, and immerse yourself in the rich traditions and thrilling events that make our festival legendary! 🌄✨

From jaw-dropping athletic feats to mesmerizing dance performances, mouth-watering Scottish cuisine to toe-tapping Celtic tunes – WE. ARE. READY!!!! Whether you're a Highland veteran or a first-time visitor, there’s something here for everyone.

🌟 Highlights to Look Forward To:

🏋️‍♂️ Incredible Highland Games competitions
🍻 Authentic Scottish food and drink
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Artisan crafts and unique vendors
🎶 Live music and traditional dancing
💃 Family-friendly activities and entertainment

So gather your clan, make some new friends, and let's celebrate our Scottish heritage in the stunning Smoky Mountains! Get ready for an unforgettable weekend of fun, culture, and community. See you there! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

42nd Annual Smoky Mountain Scottish Festival and Highland Games
May 18th-19th
Townsend Visitors Center
7930 E. Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Townsend, TN 37882

05/15/2024

The 42nd Annual Smoky Mountain Scottish Festival & Highland Games begin Saturday! Here's a sneak peek at the new t-shirt 👀

We look forward to seeing you there!

𝟒𝟐𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐦𝐨𝐤𝐲 𝐌𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐜𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐅𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬
𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟏𝟖𝐭𝐡 -𝟏𝟗𝐭𝐡
𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫
𝟕𝟗𝟎𝟔 𝐄 𝐋𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐫 𝐀𝐥𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐤𝐰𝐲, 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐝, 𝐓𝐍 𝟑𝟕𝟖𝟖𝟐

Gates Open at 8 am. Tickets may be purchased at the gate. This event takes place rain or shine. After all, we are Scottish! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

05/15/2024

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Get ready for a weekend packed with Scottish spirit at the Smoky Mountain Scottish Festival and Highland Games! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Check out our schedule below for a taste of what's to come: https://www.smokymountaingames.org/schedule/

05/14/2024

Join us at the Smoky Mountain Scottish Games, rain or shine! Scottish spirit is weatherproof and after all, a little rain never made us feel more at home! 🌧️

05/13/2024

Craving some Scottish fare?!🍴 We look forward to serving up some irresistible Scottish food & some! What's your go-to festival feast that makes your taste buds do a jig? Share your favorites below! 🤤

05/12/2024

A big THANK YOU to Maryville College for their generous and continued support! Your contribution helps make the Smoky Mountain Scottish Festival a Highland highlight each year. We're grateful for your partnership in celebrating Scottish heritage and culture! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

05/12/2024

Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful mums out there! Sending love from the bonnie hills of the Smoky Mountains! 🌸

05/11/2024

Don't miss out on the St. Andrews Stage! The St. Andrew's Stage gives you an opportunity to learn more about Scottish history, culture and lore with a smaller, close-up experience!

Join us for entertaining and educational presentations from experts: Bill Caudill, Amelia Galvas, Haggis McLeod, Johnny Gauld - Caledonian Cowboy and Bob Valentine!

Bill Caudill is a native of Waxhaw, NC and is descended from both Highland and Lowland Scots who settled in the Carolinas. Professionally he is the founder and director of the Scottish Heritage Center at St. Andrews University in Laurinburg, NC.

Amelia Galvas has been making brooms for six years. A former art teacher, she took on a full apprenticeship from a retired broom maker on House Mountain. “They really come to life, it’s always exciting to experience it!.” Find her on Etsy, and socials Aviary Broom Co.

Let Haggis Mcleod regale you with his enchanted Celtic stories. He has performed as a storyteller for over 23 years including with the Brevard (FL) Theatrical Ensemble telling a wide variety of stories. He is a member of the Clan Macleod society and specializes in Celtic stories.

Johnny ‘Caledonian Cowboy’ Gauld is an engaging piper, poet, writer, adventurer and Scottish raconteur. His tales, songs, stories and poems are performed in Scottish dress with bagpipes and focus on fairy folklore and celebrating the rich tapestry of auld Scotia.

05/10/2024

🚗 PARKING: Ample parking is available on the venue grounds for $5 per vehicle, which goes to support the Townsend Volunteer Fire Department. Courtesy carts move throughout the parking area to transport guests to the Admission Gate; however, the number of carts is limited and wait times may be necessary.

Some nearby property owners offer parking, which is not affiliated with the Smoky Mountain Scottish Festival and Games nor does the festival provide transportation to or from those parking areas.

05/09/2024

Annual Bonny Knee Challenge: Be There & Be Bare.
Saturday, May 17th
1:00 pm
Main Beer Tent

𝚄𝚙𝚘𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚑𝚒𝚕𝚕𝚜 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚐𝚛𝚘𝚠𝚜,
𝚆𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚋𝚘𝚗𝚗𝚢 𝚔𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚜 𝚒𝚗 𝚔𝚒𝚕𝚝𝚜 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚙𝚘𝚜𝚎,
𝙰 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚎𝚗𝚐𝚎 𝚋𝚘𝚕𝚍, 𝚊 𝚜𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚜𝚎𝚎,
𝙰𝚜 𝚔𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚂𝚌𝚘𝚝𝚜𝚖𝚎𝚗 𝚍𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚐𝚕𝚎𝚎.

𝚆𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚊𝚗 𝚜𝚠𝚒𝚛𝚕𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚙𝚛𝚒𝚍𝚎𝚏𝚞𝚕 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎,
𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚢 𝚜𝚝𝚛𝚞𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚒𝚛 𝚜𝚝𝚞𝚏𝚏, 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚢 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎,
𝚃𝚘 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚒𝚛 𝚜𝚝𝚛𝚎𝚗𝚐𝚝𝚑, 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚒𝚛 𝙷𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚕𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚙𝚛𝚒𝚍𝚎,
𝙸𝚗 𝚋𝚘𝚗𝚗𝚢 𝚔𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚜, 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚜𝚙𝚒𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚜 𝚋𝚒𝚍𝚎.

𝚂𝚘 𝚛𝚊𝚒𝚜𝚎 𝚊 𝚌𝚑𝚎𝚎𝚛, 𝚊 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚢 𝚌𝚛𝚢,
𝙵𝚘𝚛 𝚋𝚘𝚗𝚗𝚢 𝚔𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚌𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚎𝚢𝚎,
𝙸𝚗 𝚂𝚌𝚘𝚝𝚝𝚒𝚜𝚑 𝚐𝚊𝚖𝚎𝚜, 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚕𝚊𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚏𝚛𝚎𝚎𝚜,
𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚓𝚘𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚜 𝚜𝚙𝚒𝚛𝚒𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚋𝚘𝚗𝚗𝚢 𝚔𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚜.

A special thank you to Highland Brewing Company for their continued support!

12/21/2023

Looking for your family? Check this out! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

How do you trace your family history beyond 1800?

Civil registration records in Scotland are amazing and you can access these through . Starting in 1855 and continuing to the present they are the first records you need to trace your family history. You will also need the census records (1841-1921) and before 1855 we rely on church records.

If you are just starting your research journey check out ScotlandsPeople and see what you can discover.

Have you been searching for a while though and exhausted these basic sources? Perhaps you have got back to about 1800 and the church records are not complete or you have made it back to 1750 or 1700; where else can you look?

In the pre-1800 period, we rely heavily on the following records. Being familiar with them will help you progress your family tree beyond 1800:

Wills: https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/guides/record-guides/wills-and-testaments. Note: Many wills from 1513 to 1925 are on ScotlandsPeople but this is not all wills.

Tax records: https://scotlandsplaces.gov.uk/

Court of Session: https://www.scottishindexes.com/learningcs.aspx

Deeds: https://www.scottishindexes.com/learningdeeds.aspx

Sasines - Scottish Property Records: https://www.scottishindexes.com/learningsasines.aspx

Privy Council Records: https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/research/research-guides/research-guides-a-z/privy-council-records also see: https://www.ancestry.co.uk/search/collections/34545/

Sheriff Court records: https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/research/research-guides/research-guides-a-z/sheriff-court-records

Burgh Records: https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/research/research-guides/research-guides-a-z/burgh-records

These are some of the commonly used sources but the NRS has guides on many more: https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/research/guides/a-z.

Hopefully, this will help you expand your knowledge and discover more about your heritage.

12/18/2023

Coo on a Bru 🤣🤣

YOU'VE HEARD OF ELF ON A SHELF ....

IN SCOTLAND ITS ....COOO ON A BRU