PRESS INFO
August 18, 2025 – MEDIA ADVISORY
FABULOUS AT 50 AND GOING FOR A WORLD RECORD: NH HIGHLAND GAMES & FESTIVAL RETURNS TO LOON SEPT 19-21
Organizers Attempt Unprecedented Gathering of Bag Pipers in a Single Performance; Stone-Lifting, Sheep Dogs, Live Music + Dance Mark Milestone Celebration of Scottish Heritage
LINCOLN, NH – What began as a “wee” clan picnic in 1975 has blossomed into a truly “Bonnie” event for all to enjoy. The 50th Annual NH Highland Games & Festival returns to Loon Mountain in Lincoln September 19-21st, with even more to see, hear, taste, and do in 2025. Highlighting the agenda is sure to be a gathering the world has never seen or heard before: an attempt to host the most bagpipers in a single performance ever on Saturday at 5 PM. The current record is 333 and event organizers are feeling optimistic that record held by Bulgarian pipers will finally fall.
“What better way to mark our birthday than with a traditional and huge gathering of pipers to celebrate?” asks Terri Wiltse, Executive Director of NHSCOT, host of the NH Highland Games & Festival. “Lang may yer lum reek is an old Scottish phrase that wishes one long life and good health. Thanks to the countless number of visitors we have had to our Games over the decades, we feel this phrase has become our annual motto.”
The 2025 NH Highland Games & Festival is a 3-day event which includes live music, Highland Dance, heavy athletics competitions, sheep dog trials, demonstrations, pageantry, massed bands, and special birthday surprises including a traditional Haggis Toss. Try It classes all day long in street curling, stone lifting, and more. Visitors can also sign up for a seminar and explore topics ranging from Scottish cooking to genealogy.
A fan favorite has been expanded! The Caledonian Clash: Heavy Athletics Team Competition is back for its 2nd year and will take place on both Saturday and Sunday. The Clash features five teams, each comprising of seven athletes, competing in six traditional heavy athletic events. The winning team will take home the Caledonian Cup trophy. Attendees can also witness Ryan Stewart, a two-time professional US Highland Games National Champion leading a Stone Lifting Event on Friday afternoon.
This is a family-centered, hands-on weekend of fun and activities. The Festival offers a variety of free Try It classes as a unique way to learn Scottish skills at the Games. For example, dancers of all ages can learn how to perform traditional Highland Dance and Ceilidh Dancing. Musicians in the crowd can grab drum sticks for lessons on snare drumming, tenor drumming or even take a stab at leading the band as a Drum Major. And for those who have the lungs to make it happen, there are even lessons on bagpiping.
Sheep Dog Trials are a highlight of Friday’s festivities. Sheep dogs, guided by their handlers, use personalized whistle commands to herd a pack of sheep through obstacles with speed and efficiency. It is an amazing display of the connection and bond between handlers and their dogs.
Throughout the weekend, live music echoes through the mountainside, with genres ranging from Celtic rock to Scottish songs and ballads. This year’s performers include Albannach, Tartan Terrors, Rollin Drones, Scottish Fish, Rebel Collective, Jordan TW Trio, Pipe Dream, Rakish, Isabel Oliart, and fan favorite Charie Zahm.
To commemorate the 50th birthday celebration, attendees are invited to record audio messages of their Games memories, past and present, at one of many phones placed across festival grounds. NHSCOT will also be putting together a time capsule, which will be buried at Camp Caledonia, the future headquarters of the organization.
“Our goal is to promote Scottish heritage and celebrate its culture and values through good stewardship, education and hard work,” explains Wiltse. “Our programs are expanding well-beyond this three-day weekend and we are excited to see what our future holds beyond the 50th birthday.”
Across the grounds, festivalgoers can absorb the culture and fares of Scotland. A stroll through Clan Village allows guests to discover their Scottish roots by talking with representatives of 60+ Scottish clans while the Historic Encampment showcases everyday life in the Scottish Highlands during the 14th – 18th centuries.
Vendor Village is home to more than 30 vendors selling tartan wearables, traditional Scottish sweets, bagpiping supplies, and various other Celtic items. Food vendors will also be on-site selling a range of Scottish cuisine and beer tents will be set up throughout the venue.
Single-Day Tickets and 3-Day Weekend Passes are available:
Friday: Adult, $42
Saturday: $67
Sunday: $42
Children (6-14): $5, with purchase of Adult ticket
Toddler (0-5): Free with purchase of Adult ticket
For more information, go to nhscot.org for a full schedule of events and more on the history of the NH Highland Games & Festival.
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About NHSCOT
NHSCOT® is a nonprofit business dedicated to preserving and promoting Scottish culture for future generations. Each year, NHSCOT hosts the NH Highland Games & Festival as well as a variety of other events, classes, workshops, and competitions in alignment with its mission, vision, and values.
July 31, 2025 – MEDIA ADVISORY
BUILDING A LEGACY: NHSCOT FINALIZES PURCHASE OF FORMER WAYPOINT PROPERTY IN CONCORD – FUTURE HOME OF “CAMP CALEDONIA”
Nonprofit Launches Capital Campaign to Create Thriving Scottish Cultural Center
CONCORD, NH – The people who bring you the annual NH Highland Games & Festival are taking exciting steps to create a permanent home for year-round activities centered on Scottish Celtic culture. NHSCOT has closed on the former Camp Spaulding property in Concord and have launched a campaign to repurpose the 57-acre summer camp into a hub for Scottish culture, events, and activities, called Camp Caledonia.
“As our organization celebrates it’s 50th anniversary, we are thrilled to launch a new chapter in our story,” explains Terri Wiltse, Executive Director for NHSCOT. “Once fully operational, this property will cement our legacy as a destination for the next 50 years.”
NHSCOT has launched a $3.7 million dollar capital campaign to complete the project. It will include many varied activities, such as Scottish music, dance, athletics, Gaelic language programs and more. The facility will also be a destination for events of all types. NHSCOT intends to host workshops and fun activities centered on the Scottish culture.
The Highland Games & Festival will continue to operate each September at Loon Mountain in Lincoln, but the intent of this Concord headquarters will be to enhance the public’s connection to Scottish traditions all year long.
“We believe this will boost tourism to the Capitol region and continue to raise awareness around our history,” explains Wiltse. “The property we’ve identified offers a unique and rare opportunity: it is well-suited for our needs, centrally located, and has the potential to be transformed into a vibrant must-see place to visit.”
NHSCOT leaders are confident this will boost tourism, increase jobs through both the construction and operation of Camp Caledonia, and be a welcomed addition to Concord. Located at the corner of Bog Road and River Road, the wooded property is envisioned to be a welcoming space for visitors and an ideal permanent headquarters for the administrative offices of NHSCOT. Construction and renovation will begin soon with a targeted opening in the Spring of 2026.