Scots in New England

Gaelic Storm
2025-03-26 19:30 (America/New_York) | Academy of Music, Northampton, MA
Gaelic Storm: Roll Out the Barrel Tour with special guests Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band

Gaelic Storm
2025-03-27 19:30 | The Wilbur, Boston, MA

Scottish and Cape Breton Ceilidh
2025-03-29 20:00 - 23:00 | Canadian American Club, 202 Arlington Street, Watertown, MA
Come dance the night away with tunes from Nova Scotia with Troy MacGillivray and Janine Randall. Callers Summer McCall, Mary MacGillivray and Jen Schonover.
No experience required.
Good times by all at the Canadian Hall

Scots’ Charitable Society's 2025 Tartan Ball
2025-04-05 18:00 | Indian Ridge Country Club, Andover, MA
Scots’ Charitable Society is holding its legendary Scottish Tartan Ball on April 5th. Tartan Day celebrates Scotland’s connections with the USA and Canada, celebrating the outstanding achievements and contributions of Scottish descendants. Join us and celebrate with award winning Scottish artists and traditional Scottish dancers.

A Kirkin' O' the Tartan Service
2025-04-06 10:00 | VT

New Hampshire Indoor Scottish Festival
2025-04-12 09:00 - 17:00 | Manchester Memorial High School, 1 Crusader Way, Manchester, 03103, United States
Admission is FREE

Scottish Arts proudly presents the 22nd annual Indoor Scottish Festival, the largest event of its kind in the USA! Please join us for a history lecture on the Scots-Irish from 1600s-1900s, try the Scottish sports of curling and mini golf, spin your own book-mark, make your own clan crest, visit a castle, listen to Celtic folktales and enjoy the cultural traditions of piping, Highland dance, fiddle and drums, as well as the awesome spectacle of 15 pipe bands competing on the main stage! Shop at the Celtic vendor pop-up stores and visit clans and Scottish heritage societies to take a deeper dive into this ancient and beautiful heritage.

Footworks
2025-04-13 14:00 | Brownington Ceilidh Club, Brownington, VT
Inspired by the high-energy Celtic music of Cape Breton, Footworks features a dynamic blend of powerful rhythms and red-hot fiddling. Seven Stars Arts describes Footworks as a band with “Fabulous, engaging energy,” whose impeccable timing and deep connectedness as a group make it impossible for audiences to keep still. Footworks’ haunting songs, rollicking fiddle, lovely Irish whistle, and driving guitar accompaniment make for a delightful and unforgettable musical experience.

Fern Brady: I Gave You Milk To Drink
2025-04-21 19:00 - 21:00 | Crystal Ballroom, 55 Davis Square, Somerville, MA, 02144, United States
Star of her Netflix stand-up special, BBC stand-up special and UK TV hit Taskmaster, Scotland’s comedy superstar FERN BRADY tours North America with her latest smash-hit stand-up show.
Fern Brady has recently released her very own Netflix special Autistic Bikini Queen to high acclaim and been named one of Deadline’s 15 Comedian’s To Watch (the only non-American on the list). She also won the prestigious Sky Arts Award for Comedy.
Fern is the author of Sunday Times best selling memoir STRONG FEMALE CHARACTER whose previous show POWER AND CHAOS was broadcast on BBC1.
What happens when you get everything you want and it’s not enough? This is a great show to come and see if you are a fan of the Scottish comedian Fern Brady.

Patriot’s Day Program: A Scotch-Irish Rebellion
2025-04-26 11:30 - 13:30 | Wescustogo Hall Community Center, North Yarmouth, ME
A 250th Anniversary reflection on local “Scotch-Irish” participation in the American Revolutionary War

Whisky Tasting
2025-04-27 15:00 | St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Pawtucket, RI
This popular yearly event is a chance for drinkers of the ‘water of life’ to try different types of whisky. Food pairings are carefully selected for each whisky, ensuring that the combination is better than each of the elements alone. Non-society members are welcome, but seating is limited to 50 tasters – registration is required. Those that wish to join us for a glass of wine and small plates are welcome to attend.

House of Hamill
2025-04-27 19:00 | Blackstone River Theatre, Cumberland, RI
Whether they’re ripping through a set of original jigs and reels, adding lush three-part harmonies into traditional folk ballads, or cracking up an audience with stories from the road, House of Hamill puts on a show that captivates audiences.

Discover Dunans Castle: A tale about preservation in the Scottish Highlands on Zoom
2025-04-30 18:30 - 19:30 | online via Zoom, Zoom, MA, United States
Dunans Castle, the ancestral seat of the Fletcher clan set in the stunning Scottish Highlands, was ravaged by a fire in 2001, causing much damage to the 18th- and 19th-century structure. But in 2002, Charles Dixon-Spain and his wife, Sadie, happened to drive down the country lane and discovered the castle. Seeing beauty in the ruins, they determined to acquire it and have since set upon a course of preservation and restoration.
Charles will be joining us for an online talk from the castle in Scotland, where he now lives with his family. He will regale us with tales from his restoration adventure, which has been filled with surprises, disappointment, hurdles, and celebrations as he, along with volunteers from the non-profit, Adventures in Preservation, bring Dunans Castle back to its glory!

Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas
2025-05-01 20:00 | Shalin Liu Performance Center, Rockport, MA
The acclaimed Celtic music duo Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas return for a spectacular evening of cutting-edge fiddle and cello, blending Scottish tradition with global influences in a performance that pushes the boundaries of Celtic music.

A Midspring Burns Night
2025-05-03 14:30 - 23:35 | War Cannon Spirits, 2849 State Highway 9 N, Crown Point, NY, 12928, United States
JOIN US FOR A NIGHT OF SCOTTISH HERITAGE CELEBRATION with our second annual traditional Burns Supper. Four Glasgow-based hosts and restaurateurs flying in from Scotland, live music, Scottish dancing along with songs and poems of Robert Burns.

RSCDS Boston Highland Ball Welcome Dance
2025-05-09 19:00 | Chelmsford Community Center, Chelmsford, MA

Hanneke Cassel's Pure Dead Brilliant Fiddle Concert
2025-05-09 19:30 | First Church, Belmont, MA
With a career spanning over two decades, Hanneke Cassel has helped redefine what it means to be a modern fiddler. A driving force in the ever-changing landscape of acoustic music, Hanneke blends originality and innovation with the spirit of Scottish traditional fiddle. Fusing musical roots from the Isle of Skye and Cape Breton Island with Americana stylings, Hanneke’s playing has been described by the Boston Globe as “exuberant and rhythmic, somehow wild and innocent, delivered with captivating melodic clarity and an irresistible playfulness.”

RSCDS Boston Highland Ball
2025-05-10 18:00 | Melrose Memorial Hall, Melrose, MA

Cantrip
2025-05-10 20:00 | Blackstone River Theatre, Cumberland, RI
The name Cantrip is an Old Scots word meaning a charm, magic spell or piece of mischief and it aptly describes the unexpected twists and turns in their musical arrangements. Swirling border pipes, raging fiddle, thunderous guitar and three rich voices blend to create a sound energetic enough to tear the roof off. Echoes can be heard of trad music from the 1960s and 70s, but the years have slowly infested their music with the sounds of funk, bluegrass, swing, and even klezmer.

RSCDS Boston Highland Ball Brunch and Dance
2025-05-11 11:00 | VT

Branford Celtic Festival
2025-06-01 12:00 - 20:00 | Stony Creek Brewery, 5 Indian Neck Ave, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
A new and exciting pan celtic event in Branford, CT. Come down and join us to experience the clans, entertainment, and vendors. It will held at the Stony Creek Brewery in Branford. If you can’t drive, bring your boat up to the docks, or ride the train as the station is literally across the street. For more information visit our website.

The Hermit of Treig - Special Screening Event
2025-06-02 12:00 - 2025-06-04 19:00 | 300 Summit St, Hartford, CT 06106, 300 Summit St, Hartford, 06106, United States
Join us for an extraordinary cinematic journey to the breathtaking Scottish Highlands with our special screening of The Hermit of Treig. This BAFTA-winning documentary offers a beautiful escape into the remote wilderness, following the remarkable story of Ken Smith – a true legend who chose to live in complete isolation for decades in one of Scotland’s most stunning yet unforgiving landscapes.
Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Scottish Highlands, this captivating film provides an intimate glimpse into a life lived on nature’s terms. Ken Smith’s incredible story of solitude, survival, and connection to the land will leave you both moved and inspired.
Screening Dates: June 2-4
Show Times: 12:00 PM and 7:00 PM daily
Don’t miss this opportunity to experience one of Scotland’s most compelling documentaries on the big screen. Whether you choose our afternoon matinee or evening showing, prepare to be transported to the wild beauty of Treig and discover why Ken Smith’s story continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
Reserve your seats today for this unforgettable Highland adventure!

Lecture on Scottish Prisoners from the Battle of Dunbar
2025-06-02 19:00 - 20:00 | Wolfe’s Neck Center, 184 Burnett Rd., Freeport, ME, United States
Join us for this important free lecture presented by the Maine Ulster-Scots Project.
JUNE 2, 2025 7:00PM
Wolfe’s Neck Center, 184 Burnett Rd. Freeport, Maine
Chris Gerrard, Professor of Archaeology at Durham University (UK) and team leader for the Scottish Soldiers Project will present:
‘Lost Lives, New Worlds. Unlocking the story of the 1650 Scottish Soldiers buried in Durham (UK)’
In November 2013 archaeologists observing building work near Durham Cathedral (UK) made an unexpected and unusual discovery when disordered tumbles of articulated skeletons were uncovered in two mass graves. Over the next three years, a complex jigsaw of evidence was pieced together by a team of researchers in order to establish the identity of the human remains.
Today we know them to be some of the SCOTTISH PRISONERS who died in terrible circumstances in Durham Cathedral and Castle following the Battle of Dunbar on the south-east coast of Scotland on 3rd September 1650. Using the latest techniques of archaeological science, it has been possible to reconstruct how and why these men vanished off the historical radar. This lecture follows the controversies as researchers sought to solve a 350 year-old mystery.
To learn more about this lecture, the Scottish Prisoners from the Battle of Dunbar, and what they endured BEFORE they were transported to New England.

The Vermont Highland Games - June 14th 2025
2025-06-14 10:00 - 17:00 | 2875 Hardwick St, 2875 Hardwick St., Greensboro, VT, 05841, United States
The Vermont Institute of Celtic Arts (VICA) is proud to present the Vermont Highland Games at the Highland Center for the Arts. Superb musical performances, Celtic cultural demonstrations and seminars will take place throughout the day. Come and see wonderful vendors selling Celtic goods, explore your heritage in the Clan tent village and learn the Gaelic language. We’ll have bagpipes, Highland dancing, and much more!

A Symphony in Stone
2025-06-18 13:30 | First Presbyterian Church, 270 Franklin St, Quincy, MA, 02169
Join us for a special screening of A Symphony In Stone with the movie’s producer, Tony Burton.

No Fame Games: Home Games
2025-06-21 09:00 | Fino Field, Milford, MA
Home Games is a gathering that showcases and promotes Celtic Strength Culture, with a focus on Heavy Athletics, traditional Stonelifting, niche Celtic Sports like Backhold Wrestling and Swingletree. Visit Celtic Clan tents and organizations. Watch 9 traditional heavy events of Highland Games, and our iconic Team Highlander competition. Athletes hail from New England, across the United States, and abroad. Join this gathering of people forged together in friendship by stone, heavy metal, and tree.

Festival at Fort 4 [CANCELLED]
2025-07-12 09:00 | The Fort at Four, 267 Springfield Rd, Charlestown, NH
Event has been cancelled. Update from The Saint Andrew’s Society of Maine :

The Festival has been Canceled By The Fort at Number 4. We appologize for any inconvenience. The Saint Andrew’s Society of Maine had no control over the cancelation of this event that we entirely fund.

Previous Description:
Come to The Festival at Fort Four & Highland Games and enjoy Scottish music, food, heavy athletics, sheep dogs, vendors, dancers and more. With try-it classes in Stone-lifting, kids highland games, and more there will be no time to be bored. Enjoy the historic Fort at Four grounds and if you’re over 21 don’t forget to whet your whistle at our whisky and beer tent.

July 15: Kalos at Club Passim
2025-07-15 20:00 - 22:00 | Club Passim, Cambridge, MA
Acclaimed Celtic music trio Kalos brings together three masters of tradition for music full of “pluck, depth, and good reels.” Ryan McKasson (fiddle, viola, background vocals), Eric McDonald (guitar, mandolin, lead vocals), and Jeremiah McLane (accordion, keyboards, background vocals) perform on Tuesday, July 15 at the legendary Club Passim, 47 Palmer St., Cambridge. Tickets for the 8 p.m. show are $25, $20 members. For information call 617-492-7679 or visit https://www.passim.org/live-music/events/kalos/.
Inspired by maritime traditions of Scotland, Northern Ireland, Cape Breton, and Québec, Kalos explores the dark corners on the edge of tradition, creating an alluringly complex sound full of spontaneity. With National Scottish Fiddle Champion McKasson’s virtuosity and expressiveness, McDonald’s eloquent vocals and propulsive guitar, and McLane’s agile accordion and keys, Kalos delivers rhythmic electricity, swirling intensity, and poignant balladry in their heart-stopping performances. Their 2023 release Headland received wide acclaim and placed as a top album on folkradio.org’s folk charts.
McKasson, McDonald, and McLane crossed paths over the years at highland games, contra dances, and fiddle camps before making their first recording in 2016. All three come from Scottish immigrant families, cementing their deep connection to the music while embracing the concept that Celtic music is a living tradition holding the richness of the past while evolving and growing into the future. That expansive vision informs the skillful architecture and ingenious inventiveness of Kalos’ original compositions and singular arrangements.

Kalos
2025-07-16 19:30 | The Opera House at Boothbay Harbor, Boothbay Harbor, ME
Kalos is drawn to water. Every performance is like stepping into a river – they never play a song the same way twice. They make music inspired by the maritime traditions of Scotland, Ireland, Scandinavia and North America. They revel in the driving danceability of Irish tunes, but also take inspiration from the pastoral melodies and naturalistic metaphors of Scottish music. But while the music they write is forged in tradition, it is nonetheless cast and tempered in new and unexpected ways. The trio spans three generations, three cities and two countries.

Maine Celtic Celebration
2025-07-18 00:00 - 2025-07-20 00:00 | Commons and at Steamboat Landing Park, Belfast, ME
The Maine Celtic Celebration is a family-oriented weekend celebrating the rich Celtic heritage, culture, and hospitality found along the Coast of Maine. The 2025 Celebration will be our 19th Annual event! We are an all-volunteer group of community members and we are looking forward to our celebration this year!

A Garden Party Celebrating Alpha Kilo & Joe Waroquier HOME's work/shop Nantucket
2025-07-18 16:00 - 18:00 | Greater Light, 8 Howard Street, Nantucket, MA, United States
Celebrate British craftsmanship, heritage, and storytelling, featuring pieces from our friends at Araminta Campbell, over cocktails and canapes in the magical garden of Greater Light, 8 Howard Street, Nantucket
FREE. Space is limited. Please RSVP to claira.w@alphakilo.com
