Scots in New England

The Vermont Highland Games - June 14th 2025
2025-06-14 10:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | 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!

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 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!

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.

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

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
2025-05-10 18:00 | Melrose Memorial Hall, Melrose, 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 Welcome Dance
2025-05-09 19:00 | Chelmsford Community Center, Chelmsford, MA

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

Gaelic Storm
2025-03-27 19:30 | The Wilbur, Boston, MA
Gaelic Storm: Roll Out the Barrel Tour with special guests Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band

Gaelic Storm
2025-03-26 19:30 | Academy of Music, Northampton, MA

Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy: Four on the Floor
2025-03-16 19:00 | The Cabot, Beverly, MA
Canada’s internationally renowned virtuoso fiddlers Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy take their music to new heights with an all-new show. Bursting onto the music scene with exuberant youthful mastery, their two eldest children Mary Frances and Micheal Leahy join their parents for a night of musical magic. Don’t miss this rare event!

Afternoon Tea at Silver Fountain Inn
2025-03-16 12:00 | Silver Fountain Inn, 103 Silver Street, Dover, NH
Experience the elegance of a traditional Scottish Afternoon Tea at the charming Silver Fountain Inn & Tea Parlor, a late 1800s Victorian bed and breakfast in the heart of New Hampshire’s seacoast. Indulge in a selection of teas served alongside a variety of sweet and savory treats while enjoying the ambiance of one of New England’s premiere tea rooms.

Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy: Four on the Floor
2025-03-15 20:00 | The Garde Arts Center, New London, CT

Red Hot Chilli Pipers
2025-03-15 20:00 | Hanover Theatre, Worcester, MA
Bagpipes with attitude, drums with a Scottish accent and a show so hot it carries its own health warning. The band’s achievements have reached incredible heights with their groundbreaking fusion of traditional Scottish music and rock/pop anthems which they proudly call ‘bagrock’.

Old Blind Dogs
2025-03-15 19:00 | Blackstone River Theatre, Cumberland, RI
Old Blind Dogs have long been at the forefront of Scotland’s roots revival fusing dynamic percussion, polished vocals, soaring fiddle and stirring bagpipes. The current band line-up consists of four of Scotland’s finest traditional musicians at the top of their game.

Rebel Collective
2025-03-15 18:00 | Budweiser Brewery, Merrimack, NH
The Rebel Collective is a New England based Pub Rock band. With their own booze-soaked style, The Rebel Collective pulls songs from both popular and lesser-known traditional Irish/Scottish songs, contemporary Celt-punk covers, and original compositions covering the important life matters: booze, death, and lost love.

Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy: Four on the Floor
2025-03-14 20:00 | The Colonial Theatre, Bethlehem, NH
