This New Hampshire Town Celebrates Scotland Like No Other

Have you heard of the Red Hot Chili Pipers? Or have you heard of the Great Kilt Skate? When you think of St. Andrews, do you think of golf, Scotland, or both?

These are all queries you might hear at the biggest Scottish Festival in New Hampshire. The New Hampshire Scottish Games and Festival happens annually in September, and draws thousands to Loon Mountain Resort in Lincoln, New Hampshire.

The idea of wearing tartan is about what family you are from.  Tartan plaids are not only fashionable, but part of the Scottish culture.

The 49th Annual New Hampshire Scottish Games and Festival, running September 20-22, 2024, has a live music tent. This year, it will feature the bands Skerryvore, Albannach, and Syr, according to NH Scot Facebook page.

Try Highland dancing, snare drumming, or learning Gaelic or harp lessons at the festival, plus watch curling and dancing.  There are plenty of vendors to purchase all of your Scottish desires.

Read More: At NHScot.org and purchase tickets. They do sell out.

While it's the largest Scottish Festival in New Hampshire, it's not the only one.

There's another one-day-only festival on Saturday, June 29, 2024, called the Festival at Fort 4 in Charlestown, New Hampshire.  The festival includes Scottish food, music, dancing, stone lifting, sheep dogs, athletics, and a whiskey and beer tent.  There are kids games too, so bring the whole family.

Meanwhile, I am waiting for the next season of Outlander, as the interest in the Scottish Clans and all things Scottish is at an all-time high.

Now if New Hampshire only had a real Scottish Pub, but we don't.