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Spokane Scottish Highland Games69th ANNUAL FESTIVAL
Saturday, August 7, 2027 9:00 am - 5:30 pm Spokane County Fair & Expo Center |
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Save the Date!
69th Annual Spokane Scottish Highland Games! Saturday, August 7th, 2027 from 9:00-5:30pm Spokane County Fair & Expo Center Bring your family and friends to enjoy a day of Scottish culture, music, athletics, dancing, and family fun. Explore clan tents, Celtic vendors, demonstrations, and live entertainment throughout the day. With affordable admission and free parking, the Spokane Scottish Highland Games is an event you don't want to miss!
Admission Prices $12 - Adults $8 - Youth (11 to 17) $5 - Children (6 to 10) Free - Children (5 and under) Free - Vehicle Parking (ample parking for everyone) Overnight camping facilities on site. Contact the Spokane County Fair & Expo Center at (509) 477-2770 or email [email protected] for further information. Spokane County Fair & Expo Center regulations do not permit dogs, pets, or other animals on the grounds, except:
WHAT’S HAPPENED IN 2026 Heavy Athletics: Men and women showcase their strength and compete in traditional Highland Athletics events including the caber toss, hammer throw, and stone put. Highland Dancing: This year’s games includes a Highland Dance competition, where dancers ages 4-adult compete in dances such as the popular Sword Dance, Seann Triubhas, and Hornpipe. Scottish Country Dance: Enjoy performances of Scottish Country Dance, a traditional social dance where groups of couples perform coordinated patterns to traditional Scottish music. Live Celtic Entertainment: Entertainment this year is provided by Crooked Kilt, MSD Irish Dancers, and more! Clans & Vendors: Explore Scottish clans, heritage organizations, and unique vendors offering clan information, Celtic gifts, traditional crafts, apparel, jewelry, food, and more. Hielan’ Coos: Hielan Coos (Highland Cows) are one of Scotland's most iconic animals, known for their long shaggy coats, sweeping horns, and gentle nature. Stop by to meet these adorable cattle and learn more about this famous Scottish breed. Clydesdale Horses Exhibit: A majestic Scottish breed of horses known for their impressive size, strength, and gentle temperament. Meet these iconic horses up close and learn about their important role in Scotland's farming and history. Sheepherding Demonstrations: Highly trained dogs guide sheep through a series of commands and obstacles. Blacksmith Demonstration: Watch a skilled blacksmith transform hot steel into handcrafted pieces using traditional forging techniques. This live demonstration offers a glimpse into one of Scotland's oldest and most respected crafts. British Car Exhibit: Visit the British Car exhibit and see great examples of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s Austin-Healeys, Jaguars, Austin Minis, MGTDs, and MGBs. This exhibit is a special treat for auto lovers. Ruth Schudel Memorial Shortbread Contest: View the Shortbread Contest page and download the Shortbread Contest Entry Form to discover how to win Prize Money! Robert Burns Poetry: Get down and get your Robbie Burns on! Work with or without a net reciting your favorite Burns poetry before a live audience. Compete with other slammers for Burns Bragging Rights! Kid's Games: A child-friendly version of the Heavy Athletics where kids can try their hand at popular athletic events such as the caber toss. Face Painting: All ages can enjoy some fun face painting! Celtic Storytelling: We hope you will join us as we tell traditional Scottish stories. Listen and laugh as we share a few tales about the ‘wee folk’ and their clever, often humorous tricks. Photo Exhibit: Enjoy photos of Scotland! “Scots vs Irish” Tug of War: Join the tug of war following the Opening Ceremonies. Take sides with the Scots or, if you wish, pull for the Irish. It’s loads of fun for young and old. After the adults demonstrate their physical prowess, the kids get their change to pull on the big rope. Beer Tent: Enjoy a refreshment in the Beer tent for 21+. You can find more information on the Spokane Scottish Highland Games events and competitions by visiting our Events pages. For information about sponsoring our Scottish Highland Games, visit our Sponsorship page. |
To learn more about Spokane's Scottish calendar of events, visit the Calendar page. |
2026 Chieftain of the Day
Anna Guthrie loves all things Scottish: the country itself, its people, the pipes and drums, even haggis, but especially its dances. She has no Scottish roots to explain this affinity; she was born in Italy and moved to Wales with her parents at the age of two.
Anna and her husband, Peter, moved to Spokane in 2003, retiring there after living in Anchorage, Alaska, where Anna taught Scottish country dancing for about 15 years, and Peter served as Chairman of the Alaskan Highland Games for several years. They soon became involved in Spokane’s Scottish community, first through the Spokane Scottish Country Dancers. Besides the city’s size and amenities, Spokane’s active Scottish country dance group was an important factor in their choice. They already had a teacher, so Anna and Peter simply enjoyed being part of a very welcoming group. Anna later began teaching the group in 2019. Covid struck soon after, but everyone made it safely through, trading dancing for social distancing outdoors.
Soon after their arrival, Anna and Peter became involved with the Spokane Highland Games. Peter became Chairman in 2006, and Anna, rather accidentally, took on the St. Andrews Society’s Tent when she discovered that no one had been scheduled to run it that day. Big mistake, she realized, because she ended up managing it for many years. Anna also organized the shortbread competition, later the Ruth Schudel Memorial Shortbread Competition, when Peter introduced it as a new event at the Games, and she ran that for several years. She also danced on stage with the Spokane Scottish Country Dancers and later organized the group’s appearances at the Games.
Anna has served on the St. Andrews Society Council for many years, first as a representative of the Spokane Scottish Country Dancers, an affiliate of the Society, and then as Secretary. She hadn’t planned to be Secretary, but when the Secretary at the time fell ill, Anna stepped in and served a second term in that position. She is also assistant editor of the Society’s newsletter, The Thistle Epistle.
She and Peter have traveled to Scotland several times, and she always feels at home there. She even had her DNA checked, hoping for some sort of Celtic connection, but she is strictly Northern Italian, with maybe a hint of Southern France. However, she will continue to feel Scottish, will “dance Scottish” for as long as she can, and will encourage everyone to “dance Scottish” too. It’s awesome!
Anna Guthrie loves all things Scottish: the country itself, its people, the pipes and drums, even haggis, but especially its dances. She has no Scottish roots to explain this affinity; she was born in Italy and moved to Wales with her parents at the age of two.
Anna and her husband, Peter, moved to Spokane in 2003, retiring there after living in Anchorage, Alaska, where Anna taught Scottish country dancing for about 15 years, and Peter served as Chairman of the Alaskan Highland Games for several years. They soon became involved in Spokane’s Scottish community, first through the Spokane Scottish Country Dancers. Besides the city’s size and amenities, Spokane’s active Scottish country dance group was an important factor in their choice. They already had a teacher, so Anna and Peter simply enjoyed being part of a very welcoming group. Anna later began teaching the group in 2019. Covid struck soon after, but everyone made it safely through, trading dancing for social distancing outdoors.
Soon after their arrival, Anna and Peter became involved with the Spokane Highland Games. Peter became Chairman in 2006, and Anna, rather accidentally, took on the St. Andrews Society’s Tent when she discovered that no one had been scheduled to run it that day. Big mistake, she realized, because she ended up managing it for many years. Anna also organized the shortbread competition, later the Ruth Schudel Memorial Shortbread Competition, when Peter introduced it as a new event at the Games, and she ran that for several years. She also danced on stage with the Spokane Scottish Country Dancers and later organized the group’s appearances at the Games.
Anna has served on the St. Andrews Society Council for many years, first as a representative of the Spokane Scottish Country Dancers, an affiliate of the Society, and then as Secretary. She hadn’t planned to be Secretary, but when the Secretary at the time fell ill, Anna stepped in and served a second term in that position. She is also assistant editor of the Society’s newsletter, The Thistle Epistle.
She and Peter have traveled to Scotland several times, and she always feels at home there. She even had her DNA checked, hoping for some sort of Celtic connection, but she is strictly Northern Italian, with maybe a hint of Southern France. However, she will continue to feel Scottish, will “dance Scottish” for as long as she can, and will encourage everyone to “dance Scottish” too. It’s awesome!
