Last verified: August 2026. The dates, venue, admission prices, parking arrangement, Friday Highland Fling, whisky seminar, Sunday Kirkin’ of the Tartan, and confirmed activity categories were checked against the official Scotland County Highland Games website and current ticketing page.
The Scotland County Highland Games bring Scottish athletics, piping and drumming, Highland dance, clan societies, sheepdog demonstrations, Celtic music, heritage interpretation, vendors, and children’s events to Laurinburg, North Carolina.
The main Games day is confirmed for Saturday, October 3, 2026, at the John Blue House property. The wider weekend runs from Friday, October 2 through Sunday, October 4, with a whisky seminar and free downtown Highland Fling on Friday, the full Highland Games on Saturday, and a Kirkin’ of the Tartan worship service on Sunday.
This page is part of the Celtic Studio Scottish Highland Games guide. It explains the event as a real visitor itinerary rather than treating all three days as interchangeable.
Important: Celtic Studio is not the organizer of the Scotland County Highland Games and does not sell official admission, whisky seminar tickets, parking access, competition registrations, or vendor spaces. Confirm last-minute changes through the official Scotland County Highland Games website.
Scotland County Highland Games Quick Facts
| Main event | Scotland County Highland Games |
|---|---|
| Weekend dates | October 2–4, 2026 |
| Main Games day | Saturday, October 3, 2026 |
| Venue | John Blue House property / North Carolina Rural Heritage Center |
| Official event address | 13040 X-Way Road, Laurinburg, NC 28352 |
| Advance adult admission | $22 for age 12 and older |
| Adult admission at the Games | $25 |
| Advance child admission | $3 for ages 5–12 |
| Child admission at the Games | $5 for ages 5–12; children under five are free |
| Parking | Free public parking with trolley transportation to the Games site |
| Friday Highland Fling | October 2, 5:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m., McDuffie Square; free public event |
| Friday whisky seminar | October 2, 3:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.; $80 ticket required |
| Sunday Kirkin’ | October 4 at 10:30 a.m., Historic Old Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church |
| Main attractions | Heavy athletics, pipe bands, solo piping and drumming, Highland dance, clan tents, sheepdogs, music, vendors, living history, and children’s athletics |
The detailed Saturday timetable displayed by the organizer was still labelled for 2025 during this verification. Use the official Schedule of Events page only after it has been updated for 2026.
Which Part of the Weekend Should You Attend?
The most useful way to plan this event is to choose the part of the weekend that matches your actual interest.
| Day | Best for | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Friday | Whisky education, downtown atmosphere, music, food, and an informal opening celebration | The whisky seminar requires a separate ticket and commonly sells out |
| Saturday | Athletics, piping, dance, clans, vendors, sheepdogs, children’s events, and the complete Highland Games experience | This is the only day requiring general Games admission |
| Sunday | The Kirkin’ of the Tartan, remembrance, worship, and the ceremonial close of the weekend | Sunday is not a second full Highland Games field day |
Visitors travelling mainly for sport, piping, clans, or family activities should prioritize Saturday. Friday and Sunday add context and community, but they do not replace the main Games day.
What Makes These Highland Games Different?
The Scotland County Games are not simply a Scottish-themed festival placed in an unrelated location. The official organizer describes them as the only Scottish Games and Gathering situated within the historic Highland Scottish settlement region of the Upper Cape Fear and Pee Dee.
Highland Scots settled in this part of the Carolinas in large numbers during the eighteenth century. Family names, churches, local institutions, and community traditions still reflect that history. The modern Games use this regional connection as their strongest cultural foundation.
This matters because clan history is not presented only as distant medieval Scotland. The event also connects Scottish identity with migration, settlement, worship, agriculture, and community life in the Carolinas.
John Blue House and the Rural Heritage Setting
The main Games are held on the John Blue House property at the North Carolina Rural Heritage Center. The historic house is known for its Steamboat Gothic design, double circular porches, decorative woodwork, and connection with inventor and agricultural manufacturer John Blue.
The wider heritage property includes historic structures and exhibits associated with rural Carolina life. This setting changes the character of the event: clan tents, athletes, musicians, and sheepdog demonstrations appear within a landscape already dedicated to local history and agriculture.
The event address listed by the organizer is:
John Blue House Property13040 X-Way Road
Laurinburg, NC 28352
Scotland County Highland Games Tickets
Every visitor entering the main Games on Saturday must have a ticket. The official 2026 ticket page currently lists:
| Ticket | Advance price | Game-day price |
|---|---|---|
| Adult, age 12 and older | $22 | $25 |
| Child, age 5–12 | $3 | $5 |
| Child under age five | Free | Free |
Discount sales end at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, October 2. Tickets are also sold at the Games. Purchase through the official 2026 Scotland County Highland Games ticket page.
Parking and Trolley Transportation
The official directions page states that general public parking is free and includes trolley transportation to the Games site. The trolley journey is approximately half a mile.
This system means visitors should not assume they can park directly beside the main activity field. Build extra time into arrival for:
- finding the designated public parking area;
- waiting for trolley transportation;
- ticket scanning or purchase;
- walking between different activity areas after arrival.
Use the official Directions and Parking page for the current GPS instructions and any accessibility information.
Friday Whisky Seminar and Tasting
The 2026 Whisky Seminar and Tasting is scheduled for Friday, October 2 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Storytelling and Arts Center, 131 South Main Street in downtown Laurinburg.
The seminar combines a guided sampling of single malt Scotch whiskies with information, stories, and food pairings. The current ticket price is $80.
This is not included with Saturday admission. The organizer warns that it is one of the weekend’s most popular events and commonly sells out, so it should be booked separately and early.
Friday Highland Fling in Downtown Laurinburg
The Highland Fling is scheduled for Friday from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at McDuffie Square in Historic Downtown Laurinburg.
It is a free public event and serves as the social opening of the Highland Games weekend. Visitors can experience the downtown setting, entertainment, food, and Scottish atmosphere without purchasing Saturday Games admission.
The Highland Fling is a useful choice for local residents, visitors arriving Friday evening, and anyone who wants an informal introduction before the competitive events begin.
Scottish Heavy Athletics
The Saturday Games include traditional Scottish heavy athletics. The organizer’s athletics information identifies events such as the sheaf toss, while the wider Games program historically includes stone and weight events, hammer throws, and the caber toss.
These events test different combinations of strength, balance, timing, and control. The caber toss is not judged by maximum distance. The athlete attempts to turn the caber end over end and land it as straight as possible relative to the throwing direction.
Exact 2026 divisions and event times should be confirmed through the final Saturday schedule.
Piping, Drumming, and Pipe Bands
The Scotland County Games have built a strong competitive piping and drumming program. The event includes solo piping, solo drumming, and pipe band competition associated with the Eastern United States Pipe Band Association.
The official piping page states that solo competition begins at 9:00 a.m., followed later by band competition. Because the detailed public schedule was still labelled 2025, verify the final 2026 timing before planning the day around one grade or band.
Visitors interested in piping should allow time to hear both formal competition and the broader ceremonial role of pipes and drums across the Games grounds.
Highland Dance
Highland dance competition is confirmed as part of the Saturday event. The dances combine athletic precision, musical timing, controlled footwork, and formal competition standards.
The visual appeal of tartan costumes can obscure how technically demanding these events are. Dancers are judged on execution, timing, positioning, and presentation rather than costume alone.
Clan and Society Tents
The Games attract Scottish clan organizations and heritage societies from across the region. These tents give visitors a place to discuss surnames, migration history, genealogy, society membership, and family traditions.
A surname may be:
- the principal name of a Scottish clan;
- a sept or historically associated family;
- connected with more than one clan tradition;
- recorded under several spellings;
- Scottish without having one simple clan affiliation.
Use the Scottish Clan Finder below before speaking with clan representatives at the Games.
Scottish Clan Finder
Find Your Scottish Clan Before the Games
Search your Scottish clan or family name to find matching Celtic Studio clan crest products before visiting the clan and society tents at the Scotland County Highland Games.
Tip: try Mac and Mc spelling variations. Some surnames may connect with more than one Scottish tradition.
Loading Celtic Studio Scottish clan collections...
The participating list changes as organizations register. Check the official Clans and Societies page before travelling when one specific clan tent is important to your visit.
Sheepdog Demonstrations
Sheepdog demonstrations show the working relationship between a trained border collie, sheep, and handler. The dog responds to voice and whistle commands while controlling movement, direction, and pressure around the flock.
This activity is popular with families, but it is also part of the event’s agricultural context. At the John Blue House property, the demonstration connects naturally with the rural heritage of the venue rather than functioning only as entertainment.
Children’s Highland Games
The official children’s program offers scaled versions of Scottish heavy athletic events for children aged four through twelve. The currently published activity window is 1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m., but the organizer’s final 2026 schedule should be checked before arrival.
The program gives children an opportunity to participate rather than only watch. The organizer has also provided kilts for young participants during these activities.
Music, Shopping, and Living History
The entertainment stage features traditional and contemporary Scottish music and song. Vendors sell Scottish and Celtic clothing, food, crafts, heritage products, and festival merchandise.
Living-history and educational areas add context to the event. The strongest presentations distinguish clearly between period, region, and social setting rather than treating all Scottish history as one undifferentiated tradition.
Sunday Kirkin’ of the Tartan
The weekend concludes with a Kirkin’ of the Tartan worship service at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, October 4, at the Historic Old Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church.
Historic Old Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church15301 McFarland Road
Laurinburg, NC 28352
The service is free and celebrates Scottish culture, memory, faith, and community. Although often presented with historical language, modern Kirkin’ ceremonies largely developed within Scottish diaspora communities and should not be described as an unchanged medieval clan ritual.
What Should You Wear?
Kilts and Highland dress are welcome but not required. Early October in Laurinburg can still feel warm during the day, while mornings and evenings may be cooler.
A practical outfit should include:
- comfortable footwear for grass and heritage grounds;
- breathable daytime clothing;
- a light layer for morning or evening;
- sun protection;
- rain protection when the forecast requires it.
A casual kilt outfit can work well, but formal evening Highland dress is usually unnecessary for the Saturday field event. Visitors can also wear one smaller heritage item such as a tartan scarf, clan crest cap badge, pendant, ring, plaid brooch, or kilt pin.
Scottish Clan Accessories for the Games
The most relevant Celtic Studio connection is the clan-tent experience. Visitors often want to identify a family name, represent a known clan, or add one meaningful heritage symbol to their clothing.
Useful options include:
- Scottish clan crest cap badges;
- kilt pins and belt buckles;
- clan crest rings and pendants;
- plaid brooches;
- Scottish family gifts and keepsakes.
Browse the Highland Games Gifts and Scottish Clan Accessories page or the Scottish Gifts collection. Order custom or made-to-order items early enough for preparation and delivery before October.
Practical Visitor Tips
Do Not Treat All Three Days as Full Games Days
Friday is the whisky seminar and downtown Fling, Saturday is the main Games, and Sunday is the Kirkin’ service.
Buy Saturday Admission Before Friday Night
Advance ticket discounts end at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, October 2.
Allow Time for the Trolley
Free parking does not mean parking at the activity field. Include trolley waiting and transport time in your arrival plan.
Check the Schedule Year Carefully
The organizer’s schedule page was still headed “2025 Schedule of Events” during this verification. Make sure the page has been updated to 2026 before relying on individual times.
Book the Whisky Seminar Separately
The Friday seminar has its own $80 ticket and can sell out independently of Saturday admission.
Research Your Surname Before Arrival
Clan volunteers can provide useful direction, but knowing spelling variants and possible associations will make the conversation more productive.
Plan for an Outdoor Heritage Site
Wear practical shoes and prepare for grass, uneven surfaces, sun, and changing weather.
Scotland County Highland Games Frequently Asked Questions
When are the Scotland County Highland Games?
The main Games are on Saturday, October 3, 2026. Related weekend events run from Friday, October 2 through Sunday, October 4.
Where are the Games held?
The Saturday Games are held on the John Blue House property at 13040 X-Way Road in Laurinburg, North Carolina.
How much are tickets?
Advance adult admission is $22 and adult admission at the Games is $25. Advance child admission for ages 5–12 is $3 and game-day child admission is $5. Children under five enter free.
Is parking free?
Yes. The official directions page lists free general public parking with trolley transportation to the Games site.
Is the Friday Highland Fling free?
Yes. The Highland Fling at McDuffie Square is a free public event scheduled from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Friday.
Does the whisky seminar require another ticket?
Yes. The Friday Whisky Seminar and Tasting requires a separate $80 ticket and is not included with Saturday admission.
Are clan tents available?
Yes. Scottish clans and heritage societies register for the Saturday Games, although the participating list can change each year.
Are there activities for children?
Yes. Children aged four through twelve can try scaled versions of Scottish athletic events during the children’s program.
Do visitors need to wear a kilt?
No. Kilts and tartan are welcome, but comfortable outdoor clothing is appropriate for spectators.
Is Sunday another full Games day?
No. Sunday’s principal event is the Kirkin’ of the Tartan worship service at Historic Old Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church.
Plan Your Scotland County Highland Games Weekend
The Scotland County Highland Games are most valuable when understood as three connected but distinct experiences: a Friday downtown welcome, a full Saturday Highland Games, and a Sunday ceremonial close.
Before travelling:
- buy Saturday admission before the advance discount ends;
- book the whisky seminar separately when attending;
- confirm the 2026 Saturday schedule;
- save the parking directions and allow time for the trolley;
- research your surname before visiting clan tents;
- prepare for an outdoor rural heritage venue.
Continue through the Celtic Studio Highland Games silo:
- Explore the Scottish Highland Games guide
- Browse Highland Games event listings
- Read the history of the Highland Games
- Learn what to wear to Highland Games
- Compare North Carolina’s Grandfather Mountain Highland Games
- Explore the Colorado Highland Games guide
- Plan a visit to the New Hampshire Highland Games
- Explore the Celtic Classic guide
Official sources: Scotland County Highland Games, event history, 2026 tickets, directions and parking, schedule, clans and societies, whisky seminar, Friday Highland Fling, and Sunday Kirkin’ of the Tartan.