ScotsFestival & International Highland Games XXVI
ScotsFestival & International Highland Games XXVI
Returns to the Legendary Queen Mary Feb. 16-17
Honoring Queen Mary’s Scottish legacy, festival features North
American Professional Highland Games, traditional whisky and scotch
tastings, herding, dancing, live performances and more...
Festival tickets on SALE now at QueenMary.com
The Queen Mary welcomes back the annual ScotsFestival & International Highland Games XXVI on February 16-17, 2019. Celebrate the Queen Mary’s rich Scottish legacy first hand through a full schedule of authentic Scottish activities including the new North American Professional Highland Games, dancing, entertainment, cuisine and tastings all in honor of the Queen Mary’s Scottish heritage.
Construction began on the Queen Mary eighty-eight years ago in the quaint seaside town of Clydebank, Scotland. The craftsmanship of the Queen Mary exemplifies the country’s finest work. Today its heritage is celebrated through the two-day ScotsFestival, honoring true Scottish culture.
ScotsFestival and International Highland Games XXVI welcomes nearly fifty Scottish clans and vendors throughout the festival weekend with professional and amateur competitions in piping, drumming, massed bands, darts, Highland dancing, and the new North American Professional Highland athletics. The Scottish Highland Games, a precursor to today’s Olympic Games, were designed to test the strength, skill and technique of ancient warriors by faceoffs in caber toss, throwing the weight, hammer throw, putting the shot, sheaf toss and more.
Begin your daily festivities at the Queen Mary’s ScotsFestival with the traditional Address to the Haggis at 11 a.m. in the Exhibit Hall where the Queen Mary’s Executive Chef Todd Henderson will cut and serve the Haggis in honor of the customary Scottish cultural celebration. Following the Address to Haggis, at 12 p.m. gather for the exciting Grand Parade of Clans & Bands. Sunday, February 17 at 9:15 a.m., begin the day with the Kirkin, a traditional Scottish non-denominational mass with live piano music and singing.
ScotsFestival offers whisky tastings and seminar sessions with aged malt experts every half hour beginning daily at 10:30 a.m. Grey Friar’s Pub opens on-board the ship beginning Friday, February 15 through Sunday, February 17, from 6 p.m. – 12 a.m. Keep cozy into the wee hours of the night at the pop-up pub with authentic food, a full bar, and an atmosphere plucked straight from the backstreets of Edinburgh.