A wee bit of Scotland coming to Salado

Come to Salado the second weekend in November and step back in time to discover the world of ancient Scotland. Listen to the bagpipes play. See athletes Toss the Caber. Watch graceful Highland dancers. Hear a fiddler play and voices raised in ancient Scottish song.

The Salado Scottish Gathering and Highland Games, a 3-day, family-friendly event, has been held the second weekend in November since 1961 and sponsored continuously by the Salado Museum and College Park. The 64^th Scottish Gathering will be held November 7-9 on a beautifully wooded property beginning at 108 Royal Street.

Oldest Scottish festival in Texas

The Salado Scottish Gathering is unique in three ways: it’s the oldest Scottish festival in Texas; all its competitive events are internationally sanctioned; and all proceeds from the entire three-day event benefit the Salado Museum and College Park, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Events begin on Friday afternoon, with a live presentation in the Salado Museum on the history and music of Scotland. That evening the Calling of the Clans takes place at dusk on the banks of Salado Creek…a solemn torchlight ceremony that recreates the coming together of the ancient Scottish clans at Bannockburn in 1314 to fight with Robert the Bruce for Scotland’s freedom.

On Saturday morning, everyone gathers at the festival grounds for a day of Scottish history, heritage, music and merriment. You can visit the Clan Village, the largest gathering of Scottish Clan members in Texas, to find out how Scottish you may be.

Sound of bagpipes

You can watch heavy athletics just as they were played in Scotland in ancient times. Enjoy the graceful movements of Highland dancers. Listen to pipers and drummers playing in competition. Or join in the fun of the rousing Bonniest Knees contest. At high noon bagpipe bands and clans with banners flying parade the streets of Salado from Main Street and South Pace Park Road to the festival grounds for the official opening ceremonies which includes the stirring sounds of the massed pipe and drum bands.

Saturday activities also include live Scottish singers and musicians, the traditional Scottish shortbread contest, local and Scottish food vendors, and everywhere…the sound of bagpipes and those men in kilts! Sunday starts quietly with the Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan, a traditional devotional service in which people carry tartan banners and ask blessings on their families. Activities continue till early afternoon with more bagpipers, dancers, musicians, shopping, a delightful Dog Costume contest and parade, and new this year, dog sheepherding demonstrations. There’s nothing else like it in Texas! If you’ve never been, make this your year.