Nessie’s been sighted and it’s reported she’ll surface at the 48th Annual Colorado Scottish Festival and Rocky Mountain Highland Games on Saturday, August 13 and Sunday, August 14 at Highland Heritage Park, 9651 South Quebec (two miles south of
C-470)., this family-friendly festival is open from 9 a.m. to
10 p.m. on Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
For tickets, event schedule and information, contact the Festival hotline at 303-238-6524 or visit
Colorado Scottish Festival
Hosted by the St. Andrew Society of Colorado, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1963 to provide all persons the opportunity to pursue their interest in Scottish culture, the festival’s heritage can be traced back to Scottish fur trappers who carried on age-old homeland traditions in their Rocky Mountain encampments.

Attendees will experience the power of the massed Pipes and Drums on parade; the grace of Scottish and Irish Highland dancers; historic re-enactors staging mock battles; sheepherding, Birds of Prey and rugby demonstrations; and the comical antics of dogs of the British Isles. They can participate in Scottish country dancing and Tug-of-War; shop for traditional Scottish wares in the Market Square; and trace their ancestry and clan history at the Scots’ Heritage Centre. “Wee bairns” will have plenty of their own fun games and activities so parents can enjoy the day.

Four festival stages will offer non-stop Celtic music, and vendors will be selling such Scottish-Irish fare as haggis, Scotland’s savory “soul food”. Those of an age can enjoy a cold brew or wee drop of Scotland’s finest whiskey in one of several pub tents. Gentlemen wearing kilts are invited to enter the Bonny Knees Contest, judged by fair lassies.

The Rocky Mountain Highland Games will consist of fierce competitions in Highland dancing, piping and drumming, and traditional Scottish athletics, including the trademark caber toss (big, brawny men throwing heavy wooden poles).

During Midday Ceremonies both days, the skirl of the Massed Pipes & Drums will accompany a spectacular Parade of Clans and British dogs. On Saturday, the 5 p.m. Hot Piping Contest will be followed by a musical extravaganza from 7 to 10 p.m. featuring famed Celtic rock band, Seven Nations. On Sunday’s schedule — a British car show featuring MINI Coopers from the Festival’s Title Sponsor, Ralph Schomp MINI, and new and classic cars owned by members of MINI5280, the Motoring Society of the Rocky Mountain Region.

Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door. Admission: Adults, $17; Seniors (60+), Active Military, Children 7-11, $12; Children 6 and under, Free. Free parking available at Highlands Ranch High School, 9375 Cresthill Lane; and Rock Canyon High School, 5810 McArthur Ranch Road. Free shuttle from both locations.