The Queen Mary is pleased to welcome back the annual ScotsFestival & International Highland Games XXIV on February 18 & 19 from 9am – 6pm. Come and experience the rich culture and history of Scotland first hand through an array of authentic activities, athletics, dancing, entertainment and cuisine all in ode to the Queen Mary’s Scottish legacy.
Eighty-seven years ago, in the quaint seaside town of Clydebank, Scotland, construction on the Queen Mary began. Exemplifying the finest craftsmanship of the country, the Queen Mary’s legacy is undeniable and today the ship’s heritage is celebrated through the two-day ScotsFestival honoring Scottish culture.
ScotsFestival honors nearly fifty Scottish clans & vendors throughout the weekend with professional and amateur competitions in drumming, massed bands, darts, piping, Highland dancing, and Highland athletics. The Scottish Highland Games, a pre-cursor to today’s Olympic Games, were designed to test the strength, skill and technique of ancient warriors by face offs.
The official opening ceremonies for the Queen Mary’s ScotsFestival begin with the traditional Grand Parade of Clans & Bands with an Address to the Haggis on the Parade Platform. Daily festivities include:
- Border Collie sheep-herding
- firing demonstrations
- performances by the Royal Scots Greys Calvary
- LA and OC Royal Scottish Country Dance Society
- Celtic Harp Workshops
- Story Songs by Wren of Iniquity Ensemble and many more historic reenactments.
One of the most popular competitions at ScotsFestival each year is the traditional pipe bands featuring a wide range of piping competitions, including solo, ensemble and pipe band ensemble. Crowds will gather to watch the pipe bands march together in absolute unison while playing traditional Scottish favorites likes, “Scotland the Brave” and “Amazing Grace.” 
The Queen Mary’s ScotsFestival hosts World Champion Scottish Highland Dancers and many internationally acclaimed athletes competing for titles in stones, hammer throw, weights for distance, weight over bar, sheaf and the famed caber toss.
Whisky tasting sessions with aged malt experts and craft beer samplings are available for adult festival goers inside the spruce goose dome. While the wee laddies and lassies can bear witness to Queen Mary’s knighting and coronation ceremonies, and even take part in the Wee Highland games including youth competitions in archery, potato sack races and tug o’ war.
Tickets to ScotsFestival are now on sale and start at $10 online for ages 4-11 and $19 online for guests 12 and over. VIP tickets, upgrades, ticket add-ons, two-day festival passes and hotel packages will also be available. For more information or to purchase your tickets online, go here.
I’m also hosting a giveaway for one lucky reader to win a pair of General Admission tickets to this year’s ScotsFestival. You can enter below on the Rafflecopter. Good luck everyone!
I would love to check out the scottish culture, would love to have my kiddos expose to new culture!
I must say you have high quality articles here. Your page can go viral.
You need initial traffic only. How to get it? Search for; Etorofer’s strategies
I have a Scottish heritage and have never been. What a treat!