The 47th annual Savannah Scottish Games will take place on Saturday, May 3, from 8:45 am to 7 pm at Bynuh’s Field, Bethesda Academy, located in Savannah, Georgia. “At Bethesda Academy for our 17th year, we will host Celtic competitions, Scottish food, gathering of the clans, and outstanding live music from bands including our headliners, Ally the Piper and Seven Nations.
Providing an iconic venue for heavy athletes, pipe bands, and Highland Dancers to compete and obtain feedback from highly esteemed judges, we celebrate our love for Scottish culture and heritage with our surrounding communities,” states Savannah Scottish Games President, Murray Marshall. The Savannah Scottish Games are set at Bethesda Academy on 650 picturesque acres which sits on the pristine banks of the Moon River. This event promises a day filled with wide-ranging entertainment for the whole family.
Celebrate our Scottish heritage
Title Sponsor, Stewart Marshall, with Daniel Ravenel Sotheby’s International Realty adds, “With a long Scottish family history in Savannah, It is an honor and a privilege to celebrate our Scottish heritage as title sponsor of the 47th Savannah Scottish Games, leveraging the Daniel Ravenel Sotheby’s International Realty brand and my brand Stewart Sells The Lowcountry.
From the manicured town squares and horse-drawn carriages to ornate antebellum architecture of Historic Savannah it’s no wonder Savannah is one of the most visited cities in the South. Come for a visit and let Stewart Sells The Lowcountry find you a home in this beautiful community.”
Athletic Competitions are one of the highlights of the Scottish Games. This thrilling event features skilled athletes competing in seven traditional athletic events. The Games are proud to host the ScotDance Highland Dancing Southeast Regional Championships, one of six Highland Dance competitions held throughout the United States each spring. The top three Savannah Regionals winners in each group can compete in the ScotDance National Championships. Music lovers will enjoy performances by renowned Celtic bands, including Ally the Piper and Seven Nations.
Ally the Piper is a viral internet sensation, renowned for modernizing the Great Highland bagpipe. She blends classic rock and heavy metal with Celtic influences, captivating audiences worldwide. Ally showcases her talent on various traditional instruments and is redefining the bagpipe’s place in contemporary music.
Throw away preconceived notions about Celtic music .. Seven Nations has invented its own sound veering from roots in folk, dance and fusion-rock. The pipe and drum and solo competitions provide the stirring and haunting melodies of the bagpipes which characterize the very soul of Scotland. Did we mention that Savannah is known as a haunted city?
The Scots in you
Children might encounter Zephyr, a magical fairy, while enjoying a captivating selection of Scottish tales and games like the kilt run, tug-of-war, sheaf toss, caber toss, haggis hurl, stone throw, welly toss, and the sack race. Children’s Passports are provided to collect stamps from clan tents and collect a special prize.
The Shire of Forth Castle, will host interactive demonstrations and displays showcasing a variety of medieval European activities. This authentic southern venue is the perfect backdrop for Clan Nan Con, a passionate group of historians and reenactors who specialize in studying and bringing to life the world of Scottish Highlanders between 1736 and 1746. Living history reenactors from Fort King George in Darien, Georgia will also be representing some of the finest soldiers of their time and demonstrating life as a settler.
Ever wondered if you have a bit of the Scots in you? Explore forty-three clan tents surrounding the Scottish Games arena, each offering a treasure trove of artifacts, history, and a list of surnames tied to their clan. For those eager to dig deeper, visit the genealogy tent, where experts and historical associations will help you trace your family tree and uncover your roots. But beware—this fascinating journey into your past can quickly become an addictive adventure.
Savannah, Georgia is full of manicured parks, cobblestone streets, and southern charm – perfect opportunity to visit on May 3rd.
For more information visit: www.savannahscottishgames.com
All images courtesy of Duion Furgason, Tybee Light Photography.