There’s nothing quite like the sight and sound of tartan kilted marching bands playing the pipes and drums, herding Border Collies, Highland dancing, and exciting Highland games. Enjoy all that and more at the 2024 Savannah Scottish Games and Celtic Festival! May 4th, 2024, in Savannah, Georgia.
Savannah, GA might not be the first city to come to mind when thinking of Scottish heritage but our city’s history is rich with diverse influences, including Scotch-Irish. In fact, our city’s Scottish Games have been a popular, annual tradition for 46 years that draws thousands – and no wonder! Who wouldn’t enjoy an event that includes so many fun things to see and do?
The Scottish Games are one of the main highlights, of course. The games include traditional athletic challenges, such as the Scottish Hammer Throw, the Caber Toss, Sheaf Toss, and others. Border Collie herding is also very popular. Watch as these well-trained and endlessly clever Border Collies herd sheep, guided only by whistle and voice.
The festival also includes lots of traditional Scottish and Irish music. These include the stirring sounds of Pipes and Drums bands, two Celtic bands ( North of Argyll and Lochlann ), and lots of Highland dancing. You my even find yourself doing a jig or two!
The Celtic Marketplace makes sure you won’t go hungry or thirsty with plenty of delicious refreshments for purchase. The marketplace also offers a wonderful variety of traditional Scots/Irish goods. Pick up a keepsake for yourself or an unusual gift for someone else. Why not both?
The festival also includes Scottish Clans and Societies, historical reenactments, children’s games and activities, and more.
Don’t miss out!
2024 Savannah Scottish Games Schedule
The 2024 Savannah Scottish Games are scheduled for May 4th, 8:45am to 4:30pm at the Bethesda Academy, located at 9570 Ferguson Avenue, just 20 minutes south of our Savannah bed and breakfast, McMillan Inn.
8:30am – SE Regional Highland Dancing Championship
8:45am – Gates open
9am – Athletic Competitions begin
9:30am – Border Collies Herding
9:45am – Lochlan on the Entertainment Stage
10am – Children’s activities and games
11am – North of Argyll on the Entertainment Stage, Border Collies Herding
12pm – Opening Ceremony, Presentation of Colors, Flowers of the Forest, Parade of Tartans and Massed Bands
12:20pm – Children’s Kilted Run
12:30pm – Competitions resume, Lochlan on the Entertainment Stage
1pm – Children’s activities, Border Collies Herding
1:30pm – Pre-Premier Highland Dancing, North of Argyll on the Entertainment Stage
2:30pm – Lochlan on the Entertainment Stage
3pm – Border Collies Herding
3:30pm – North of Argyll on the Entertainment Stage
4pm – Highland Dance and Heavy Athletics awards
4:30pm – Closing Ceremony
All times are approximate. Pipes and Drums bands will also make regular performances throughout the day.
Visit the event website for more information. The event is also posted on Facebook.
So go ahead: come to Savannah and enjoy celebrating Celtic culture and history at the festival. Afterwards, it’s just minutes to the comforts of your room at McMillan Inn, surrounded by historic, downtown Savannah. The perfect getaway.
See you soon!