Festival
The 42nd Highland Regiment of Foot is a Revolutionary War period reenactment group based out of Marion, OH. They are sponsored by the Tri-Rivers Career Center, Culinary Arts and will demonstrate what it was like living in the 42nd regiment during the Revolutionary War.
The Barony of the Cleftlands is the Cuyahoga County (Cleveland), Ohio chapter of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. The Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) is an international non-profit volunteer educational organization. The SCA is devoted to the research and re-creation of pre-seventeenth century skills, arts, combat, culture, and employing knowledge of history to enrich the lives of participants through events, demonstrations, and other educational presentations and activities. The SCA’s “Known World” consists of 20 kingdoms and over 30,000 members around the globe.
As a sport falconry has been around for 4,000 years. It developed in the ancient civilizations of the Middle East, Asia, and Europe.
The first documented English falconer was in the eighth century. Falconry was so important to English society that one could rarely walk down the medieval streets without seeing someone with his or her falcon perched on hand on wrist. The Stuarts were particularly fond of the sport of falconry, with Henry VIII being considered by some as the most important falcon advocates.
Falconry in Ireland started to make an appearance around the 12th Century with the arrival of the Anglo Normans. Here, too, it was deemed a pet project of the nobility – until the everyday Irishman worked out that there was money and prestige in flogging hawks to rich noblemen. Soon Ireland became synonymous with providing the best hawks available.
In the United States, the sport of falconry is practiced much as it always has been since its inception. There are roughly 4,000 licensed falconers in the United States, with only about 70 of those located in the state of Ohio.
Originally called Scottish sheep dogs, border collies are energetic descendants of Viking reindeer-herding dogs and are one of the most popular herding breeds in the world. It has been bred for centuries to work closely with man and is happiest when exercising its herding and fetching instincts. Its willing and devoted personality thrives on praise. Its unique, heritable trait enables the Border Collie to have a remarkable mastery of livestock without frightening them.
Border Collies derive its name from the border country between Scotland and England. The “working collie” established itself as the most valuable asset a flock owner could have. In old Gaelic “collie” was the rural term for anything useful — a “collie dog” was a useful dog. Because this breed flourished in the border region, it was christened the “Border Collie.”
Border Collies were exported to sheep farms and ranches in Ireland, United States and all over the world for their superior intelligent and tireless energy.
The Border Collie is one of the most intelligent of all breeds of dogs. It has been bred for centuries to work closely with man and work is a Border Collie’s passion. It is happiest when exercising its herding and fetching instincts. Its willing and devoted personality thrives on praise. Its unique, heritable trait, an attitude referred to as “the eye” enables the Border Collie to have a remarkable mastery of livestock without frightening them. There is no standard appearance since Border Collies are bred solely for their work ethic.
Ohio shepherdesses & dog trainers Esther and Edie will be putting on showcases of these border collies all weekend.
Each year, dozens of British car and motorcycle enthusiasts join us to show us their cars and bikes as well as to share their knowledge. It is a great opportunity to meet! We will be featuring the Lorain County British Car Club.
Join the registered Clans Friday evening as the clans announce their presence symbolizing the opening of the Games.
The fiery cross was a means of communicating among clans and was principally used as a signal for the clan to gather together. It could signify the birth of the clan chief's first son, the announcement of highland games or it could be a callout to rally clan members to arms.
The cross was usually made from yew or hazel wood and set alight and was often tied together with strips of cloth dipped in goat's blood.
The torch would then be carried throughout the region by clan runners shouting their clan's war cry letting everyone know where and when to gather. As runners tired, they would be replaced (similar to a relay team), allowing them to cover a wide area very quickly. In the case of a call to arms, each clan had a designated meeting point, and all men able to fight were expected to gather there, armed and ready for action.
Today, the torch signifies the connections we share within our families, heritage and community.
For over forty years the Scottish-American Cultural Society of Ohio, Inc has organized the Ohio Scottish Games & Celtic Festival, a celebration of Scottish culture and traditions. This is all possible for the descendants from various clans and Celtic families. We continue to celebrate our Celtic roots, and we showcase these clans and cultural groups.
The following clans will be in our Clan Village this year:
Buchanan Society, International
Campbell
Claus
Crawford
Crawford, International Society
Donald, USA
Fleming
House of Gordon, USA
Gregor
Keith Society, USA
MacEwen
MacGillivray
MacLaren
Isle of Man
Muirhead
Murray, USA
Rattray
Scottish Heritage Association of Northeast Ohio (SHANO)
Stewart
Our Honored Clan this year will be Clan Donald, USA:
Clan Donald is one of the oldest, and probably the largest and most famous of all the Highland clans. Its Celtic heritage goes back into antiquity, beyond the 6th Century AD, to the great clans in what today is Ireland, Conn of the 100 Battles, Cairfre Raida, founder of Dal Raida in Antrim, Eire, and Colla Uathais. Our Viking heritage goes back to Ingiald "Ill-Ruler" and Olaf "Tree-Hewer" in 7th Century Sweden and Norway. All of these traditional blood lines came together in the 12th Century Somerled MacGillebride MacGilladamnan, the historic founder of Clann Domhnaill. Our ancestors were regarded as the heads of the ancient race of Conn, and the lineal heirs of the kings of the Dalriadic Scots.
The clan increased in numbers and territory, forming a number of branches who are, by seniority:
Clan Ruari, now part of Clanranald and Glengarry
Clan Alasdair
Ardnamurchan
Glencoe
Clanranald
Clan Godfrey, now part of Clanranald and Sleat
Glengarry
Clan Donald South, also known as Dunnyveg and The Glens, or Clann Iain Mhor
Keppoch
Lochalsh, now part of Sleat
Clan Donald North or Clan Uisdean, now Sleat
Clan Donald, greatest and largest of the Highland Clans, begins it's recorded history with Somerled, a descendant of Conn of the Hundred Battles and Clan Colla. Somerled's defeat of the Norse King of Man in 1156 gained independence for southwestern Scotland that survived for over four centuries.
The clan takes it's name from Donald, the 3rd Lord of the Isles and grandson of Somerled who lived until 1269. Donald's son was the original "Mac" (meaning "son of"). It was Donald's great-grandson, Angus Og, the 6th Lord of the Isles who sheltered Robert the Bruce at the lowest ebb of his career. Later, leading a small band of Islemen, Angus Og was instrumental in Bruce's defeat of the English at Bannockburn. This battle won independence for Scotland. In recognition of Clan Donald's part in the victory Robert the Bruce proclaimed that Clan Donald would forever occupy the honored position on the right wing of the Scottish Army.
Angus Og's grandson, Donald, the 8th Lord of the Isles, married the heiress of the Earldom of Ross and in 1411 fought the Battle of Harlaw to keep his wife's inheritance from being usurped by the Regent Duke of Albany. His army of 10,000 men included the forces of almost every clan of the Highlands and Isles. All these clans were willing vassals of the Lord of the Isles. They regarded the MacDonald Chiefs as the heads of the ancient "Race of Conn," and lineal heirs of the ancient Kings of the Dalriadic Scots, going back to the 6th century and beyond.
Donald of Harlaw's son and grandson were both Earls of Ross and Lords of the Isles, controlling not only the Hebrides from Islay and Kintyre to the Butt of Lewis, but most of Argyll and the modern County of Inverness, along with the County of Antrim in northern Ireland. The Earldom was lost in 1471, but the Lordship of the Isles was not absorbed by Scotland until the middle of the 16th century. A MacDonnell (a variation of the surname MacDonald) is still Earl of Antrim.
The power of the clan survived and formed the backbone of the army of the Marquis of Montrose, fighting for the survival of the Stewarts in the 17th century, and, though divided, it was an important factor in the Jacobite Rebellions of the 1700's.
Axe throwing is provided by Lumber Legends - Cleveland Axe Throwing. Axe throwing can be done by anyone of any size, thus an equal playing field for everyone in your company is created where a true exhibition in adaptability, quick learning, and ample amounts of confidence.
Amanda Epperson will be joining us and will host discussions on Scottish Genealogy as well as how the Scots influenced Ohio's history. Amanda Epperson is a writer, lecturer, and professional genealogist. She holds a PhD in history from the University of Glasgow, with emphasis in emigration from Scotland to the United States.
Amanda is Author of About the Family Tree Scottish Guide. Amanda will help you uncover your Scottish heritage, from identifying your immigrant ancestor to tracking down records in the old country. You will learn about church records, civil registrations, census and more. Plus, how to find them in on-line databases and in archives. Amanda will discuss basic information on how to start family history research including identifying and tracing immigrant ancestors; Step-by-step for finding and using records from both the United States and Scotland; Crash course Guides to Scottish history, geography, surnames and naming conventions.
Whether your ancestors hail from the highlands or the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, she will help you grow your family tree in Scotland.
The Grand Parade is replacing the Opening Ceremonies of years' past. The parade will include all competitors and clans who are attending the games. The parade will begin at noon on Saturday, June 22, 2024 and proceed to match through the grounds.
The calm, dignified, and kindly Irish Wolfhound is the tallest of all AKC breeds. Once fearless big-game hunters capable of dispatching a wolf in single combat, Wolfhounds today are the most serene and agreeable of companions.
Irish Wolfhound exhibit will be open Saturday until 5 PM next to the Wee Ones' Area
Dandie Dinmont Terriers first showed up in a Gainsborough painting in 1777. They are the only breed of dog named for a fictional character, a farmer, Dandie Dinmont, who was a character in Sir Walter Scot’s 1815 novel, “Guy Mannering”
Today the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is one of the rarest and most endangered of all purebred dogs. The Dandie is a true terrier made up of all curves instead of the straight lines of most terriers. The come from the Scottish border country and are the only breed to have tehir own officially sanctioned tartan.
The Dandie combines an affectionate and dignified nature with tenacity and boldness. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is known as “the gentleman of Terriers”.
Dandie Dinmont Terrier exhibit will be in the Clan Village
The Knights of Valour jousting troupe has the resources and equipment necessary for the accurate and authentic representation of the days of Knights from past to present.
We have tournament shows designed for a wide range of educational curricula.
In 1997, Shane Adams entered his first competitive tournament at the U.S. International Jousting Championships in Estes Park, Colorado. On a borrowed horse, using unfamiliar equipment, he rose to the challenge and won the title.
From one member in 1997, to over ten full-contact competitors in 2005, the Knights of Valour Jousting Troupe continues to be the premier full-contact jousting troupe in North America.
Check out the knights in action!
Open sessions are designed for all those attending the games to play music so, grab your whistle, harp, fiddle, guitar, flute or smallpipes and join in the fun! Come by on Friday and Saturday to take part or listen.
Our premier event will take place at 6:30 PM on Saturday. The Twilight Tattoo is led by the massed pipes & drums as they will perform with performances by highland dancers, harpists, fiddlers, and the Brass Band of the Western Reserve
The anthems will be sung, and competition winners will be celebrated. The Massed Pipes & Drums will perform Flowers of the Forest to honor those who have passed in the last year as well as Scotland The Brave and the ever popular Amazing Grace.
This area of the fairgrounds features multiple interactive inflatables, catapults for sieging the Castle, and just one of the numerous Celtic themed Photo-Op cut-outs.
The Wee Ones' Area also conducts the Children Games! These events are modified highland athletic games suitable for Children. Children Games take place once on Friday and three times on Saturday. Children will be divided into 5 groups: 2-4 year old’s, 5 year old’s, 6-7 year old’s, 8-9 year old’s, and 10-11 year old’s. Medals/ribbons will be awarded.
The tasting will include six single malt/single pot whiskies. This page will be updated as the whiskies are chosen.
This event did sell out in advance of last years event so we encourage you to get your tickets early. (On the ticketing page, admission tickets must be selected for purchase in order to display the whisky tasting ticket).
Each ticket entitles you to a tasting of six one ounce pours of Single Malt/Single Pot Whiskies. Tickets can be shared as we realize not everyone can drink 6 shots of whisky. You will also receive a complimentary Glencairn tasting glass.
The exhibit will include information about each whiskey with the characteristics of each region. Learn more about whisky here!
2025 Whiskies
Check back closer to the 2025 games to see which whiskies have been selected
The festival encourages everyone to join in the culture, and seeks to educate all on Celtic traditions.
On Saturday, the Festival hosts Try the Arts For First Timers workshops.
Come by the Workshop tent to try out bagpipes and drumming.
You can also head over to the Harp Building to try the harp.
Try Highland dancing for first timers will take place in the Clan Village.