We are the original Blairsville Scottish Festival and Highland Games.

For 20 years the Scots gathered in Blairsville, but we moved to Hiawassee, Georgia in 2025. Highland dancers, Scottish athletes, family clans, bagpipes and drums and traditional musicians come to celebrate their heritage. Even if you don’t know your family’s heritage or have little or no Scottish ties, come experience Scotland without the need of a passport or international flight across the ocean.

Events begin at 9 am each day. The opening ceremony with the massed bands and parade of tartans will be at 12 noon on Saturday.

Sheep dogs and falcons and birds of prey all come with their handlers. Scottish Athletes, Highland dancers, pipers and drummers all come to experience Scotland here in the highlands of North Georgia. The dogs will herd their sheep at lake-side while the falcons will be found in the village for their demonstrations. The blacksmith/knife smith demonstrations and Clan Nan Con will be in set up in the fairgrounds village.

Wee lads and lassies are encouraged to come to the festival with their family. Special activities for the children include the “passport to the clan” where children visit clan tents and once they learn one fact about the clan they receive a stamp and once their passport is full they receive a prize. There is also face painting, kid-size and kid-safe highland athletics, and other activities especially for the wee ones.

What is a festival without shopping? Many favorite vendors with traditional Scottish wares, clothing and food are returning plus new merchants who are making their first appearance at the Georgia Mountain Scottish Festival. Delicious Scottish food (including haggis, Scotch eggs), jewelry, sporran, kilts, T-shirts, clothing, and many more Scottish items will be available for purchase.

There is a regular shuttle running between the parking area and the entrance gate.

Multiple shuttle stops throughout the 1,200 vehicle parking area.

Stroll the festival under deep shade, with plenty of benches to stop, rest and catch the sights and sounds.