Celebrating the heritage of the Celts, Scots

The Scots and Celts commandeer Western North Carolina with a several summer festivals celebrating all things kilt related.

Franklin, N.C., hosts the Taste of Scotland each year on Father’s Day weekend. The weekend begins with a Ceilidh on Friday night, and the festival official kicks off at 9 a.m. with sword fighting, border collies, and Highland wrestling demonstrations, a Knobby Knees contest, music, dancing, and more. On Sunday the event closes with the Kirkin’ of the Tartan at Franklin’s First Presbyterian Church and an opportunity to learn more about Scottish history.

The WNC Highlands Celtic Festival will be held the same weekend at the Pisgah Brewing Tap Room in Black Mountain, N.C. Live music and dance, food and drink, athletic demonstrations, border collies, vendors and more will be part of the festival.

In July, Grandfather Mountain welcomes the Highland Games. The festival also features a bevy of Scottish cultural activities, foods, music and dance, as well as a great number of children’s events such as kilted races and tug-of-war. However, unique to the Highland Games are the heavy athletics, bike races, wrestling, sheep herding, harp playing, song competition, and workshops so that visitors may get hands on experience in learning more about the culture. The games begin on Thursday, July 7 and last through Sunday, July 10.