Beyer brings update on ’26 Scottish Festival & Games

Admission is $25 for Saturday, $20 for Sunday, or $35 for both days. Children aged 7 through 12 can get in for $5, and tickets for kids 6 and under are free.

Fittingly bedecked in his kilt, Beyer presented all this information and more, leading a slideshow of what the Scottish Festival has to offer this year – especially now that it’s located at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds rather than Meeks Park in Blairsville – as well as what’s new.

“We were in Blairsville for 18 years, and we moved to the Fairgrounds last year, and it was a tremendous success,” noted Beyer, adding that attendance improved by 1,500 people compared to recent past seasons.

2026 marks the 20th anniversary of the festival, and while Beyer said there are no special celebrations in the works, there will be some changes due to further planning and development in the larger venue.

Last year saw the registration of 42 clans, and with under two months to go, 45 clans have already signed up for 2026, with a final anticipated count of 50.

“A clan is a family group,” Beyer explained. “The association of families in Scotland is very important. Clans have remained together and keep track of each other in Scotland, and that same tradition and practice has been brought over to the New World.”

A large draw for the festival are the four-legged participants, and Beyer assured the audience that there would be an even greater animal presence this year between historical Highland livestock, dog breeds originating from Scotland and even feathered hunting companions.

In the past, falconry demonstrations were limited to a single day, but there will be three educational presentations throughout both days of the festival. With the risk of overheating on the field, it was decided to give the raptors their own space in the gallery building across from the Exhibit Hall.

And thanks to the Fairgrounds’ increased space, all nine official Highland games will play out on the ballfields; Beyer hopes to draw more registered athletes this summer than last year’s 75; 60 have been confirmed, but there’s still plenty of time to sign up.

“If you’re trying to get across the swamps and the moors and you need an expedient bridge, well, you cut down a tree and throw it across the creek,” Beyer said, humorously offering some background on the caber toss. “And Angus would say, ‘I can throw a bigger tree than you, Boris.’ And then they got into a competition.”

Also on the main field will be a classic British car show, organized in part by Hamilton Gardens Curator Catherine Luckenbach.

So far, there are 25 artisans due to set up shop at the festival, each carefully vetted to ensure their wares are Celtic or Gaelic themed, or otherwise relate to Scottish, Irish and English heritage.

Alongside the vendors will be demonstrators like blacksmiths and musicians, including an expansion of exhibits down the lakefront of “Loch Chatuge.”

Although Beyer is working on including a third stage, eight stage bands are lined up to regale the crowds. Popular folk singer Colin Grant Adams, local flat-pick guitarist Curtis Jones and Celtic Conundrum will all make an appearance.

The Devil’s Brigade, formerly known as The American Rogues, will be on the main stage. Known for their high-energy performances with fiddle and bagpipes, Beyer chose the group for their apparent crowd-pleasing nature.

In terms of adult-specific activities, another new inclusion is a custom Georgia Mountain Scottish Festival brew thanks to Highland Brewing out of Asheville, North Carolina, which will serve as the event’s exclusive beer provider.

For those excited to celebrate early, the ceilidh – pronounced “kay-lee” – will take place June 5 at 6 p.m. at Hamilton Gardens. Entry is free, and guests are welcome to enjoy some of the bands, interact with athletes and listen to traditional Scottish storytelling the night before the festival.

For more information, visit https://gamtnscottishfestival.org/.