Scots in New England

Annual Tartan Picnic
2025-08-17 12:00 (America/New_York) | Goddard Park, 1095 Ives Rd, East Greenwich, RI
Each year, our members get together in late summer to socialize, share food, and listen to great music. The Society provides hot dogs and hamburgers for everyone, as well as soft drinks – the event is potluck so bring a side dish or dessert to share. So grab your lawn chair and join us for this casual end of summer picnic.

August 22, 2025: Jesse Ofgang & The Diaspora with Bagad New York
2025-08-22 19:00 - 22:00 | Scottish Dave’s Pub, 24 E. Main St., Clinton, CT, Scottish Dave’s Pub, 24 E. Main St.,, Clinton, CT, United States
What do you get when you mix a bagpiper who is an ex member of the 16 time world champion Shotts & Dykehead pipe band, a jazz fusion drummer who has toured with the likes of Jean-Luc Ponty, Joe Beck and Liza Fisher, a classically trained pianist/organist/choral director turned rock star who tours with Ritchie Blackmore of Deep Purple and two graduates from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland? Jesse Ofgang and the Diaspora
Combining Scottish & Irish music with rock, jazz, funk and fusion to create a sound unlike anything you’ve ever heard.
Bagad New York is a New-York based instrumental music ensemble presenting traditional Breton music in the format of a Bagad, or Breton pipe-band. Pretty similar to the traditional pipe band (Scottish Bagpipe + snare drums) but with an extra section, made of bombards (Breton oboe). It start developing in Brittany after the second world war, and never stop its development.
The band consists of over a dozen musicians from across New York and New England as well as North Carolina, Illinois, Texas, and Louisiana.

August 23, 2025: 50th Anniversary of the Quechee Scottish Games and Festival
2025-08-23 09:00 - 17:00 | 45 Deweys Mills Rd, Hartford, Vermont 05047, Hartford, VT
The 50th Anniversary of the Quechee Scottish Games And Festival
August 23,2025
Hartford, Vermont: 2025 will be a hallmark date for the Quechee Scottish Games and Festival at the Quechee Polo Grounds, 45 Deweys Mills Road, Hartford, Vermont.
On this 50th Anniversary of the Quechee Scottish Games And Festival, Scots ranconteur and singer Jeremy Bell will be the Master Of Ceremonies.
Noted Boston singer and guitarist Eamon Sefton who will lead the new Quechee Games Ceilidh Band. Revels North Artistic Director Alex Cumming will lead ceilidh dancing. Rebel Collective, noted local Celtic band, will be singing ballads. There will be live entertainment throughout the day.
The 50th Annual Quechee Scottish Games And Festival will feature massed Pipe and Drum bands. And Highland Dance and Solo Piping competitions. There will be Celtic vendors, food vendors, cultural displays including the Ottaquechee Water Protectors Association and Vermont Folklife. There will also be Scottish clan tents and genealogy displays.
The Quechee Scottish Games And Festival will feature Scottish Heavy Athletics including Caber Toss and Hammer Throw. There will be sheepdog demonstrations and there will be children’s games and activities. Among these will be the Quechee Quest with a Scottish themed raffle.
Admission to the 50th Quechee Scottish Games And Festival will be free for children under 12, and $25 general admission. The Quechee Scottish Games And Festival will run from 9 AM to 5 PM.
The Quechee Polo Grounds is near Quechee Gorge and is next to the Abenaki Gardens in the town of Hartford, Vermont. Hartford is between White River Junction, Vermont and Woodstock, Vermont.

September 11, 2025: Rockport Celtic Festival
2025-09-11 00:00 - 2025-09-14 00:00 | Shalin Liu Performance Center, Rockport, MA
Rockport Music and Artistic Director (and harpist) Maeve Gilchrist–returns with a Celtic Festival that explores traditional and contemporary music from around the Celtic world. Exploring Celtic Roots and Branches features a wide, and quite extraordinary variety, of new and familiar musicians, singers, dancers, and storytellers. This Festival was cofounded by the late GBH Celtic Sojourn host Brian O’Donovan.

September 13, 2025: Summer Pipes & Cider
2025-09-13 13:00 - 16:00 | Palmer-Warner House, 307 Town Street, East Haddam, CT, 06423, United States
Join East Haddam’s Palmer-Warner House for our second annual Pipes & Cider event, where the rich traditions of Scotland come alive! Enjoy barrel-aged cider and whiskey tastings from Yankee Cider Co. The Portland & District Pipers will perform a lively set, accompanied by a short trail walk around the beautiful Palmer-Warner grounds (weather permitting). Bring your friends and test your knowledge with a round of pub trivia. One of the three trivia categories will feature questions based on the historical fantasy television series, Outlander, which takes place in Scotland. Attendees are encouraged to dress in Outlander attire. Prizes will be awarded to the top two teams. Raise a glass, embrace the music, and celebrate the magic of Scotland!
Tasting, Music, and Trivia: $40/Person, $35/CTL Member
Music & Trivia: $20/Person, $15/CTL Member
Purchase tickets at https://ctlandmarks.org/event/pipes/
Tours of the Palmer-Warner House, a Connecticut Landmarks museum, will be available during the event for regular admission between 1 pm and 4 pm, with the last tour at 3 pm. Experience the home Frederic Palmer and Howard Metzger made in what they called “the wilds of Connecticut.” Frederic Palmer turned the Palmer-Warner House, which he lovingly called Dunstaffnage as a nod to his Scottish heritage, into a safe place for his LGBTQ+ friends, neighbors, and family to gather and enjoy life unhindered by societal norms. Learn about the collection of letters and diaries, photographs, historic furnishings, and decorative arts used to reconstruct their lives together. House tour tickets for September 13 may be purchased separately at www.ctlandmarks.org/pwhousetour

September 19-21, 2025: NH Highland Games & Festival
2025-09-19 09:00 - 2025-09-21 17:00 | Loon Mountain, Lincoln, NH
There’s something for everyone from Scottish music, dance, food, to sheep dog trials, and the crowd-favorite: massed bands. Experience Try-It classes all day long in street curling, stone lifting, and more. See a seminar exploring topics ranging from Scottish cooking to genealogy. Watch the Caledonian Clash featuring five teams of seven athletes, competing in seven traditional heavy athletic events. Fun for all ages with special kids programming and opportunities to shop in Vendor Village.

September 28, 2025: Litchfield Hills Highland Games
2025-09-28 00:00 | Lime Rock Park, Lakeville, CT
The Litchfield Hills Highland Games are bringing Highland Games back to Lime Rock Park in 2025! Immerse yourself in a day of spirited competition and cultural celebration as athletes showcase their skills in traditional Scottish games.

Jim Malcolm Concert
2025-10-05 15:00 - 17:00 | Governor Sprague Mansion, 1351 Cranston Street, Cranston, RI, 02920, United States
The Scottish-American Society of RI (SASRI ) has the pleasure of hosting award winning Scottish folk musician Jim Malcolm for the final New England stop on his current solo US tour. Jim will entertain us with traditional Scottish music, including selections by Robert Burns, as well as his own compositions. As a bonus, the concert will be held in the historic Governor Sprague Mansion. This is a show not to be missed!
Doors open at 2:30 p.m. and the concert begins promptly at 3:00 p.m.
All guest must be seated by 3:00 PM – please plan accordingly!
Refreshments will be served during intermission.
Open seating is limited to 65 guests.

October 8-9, 2025: Kevin Bridges: LIVE!
2025-10-08 19:30 - 2025-10-09 22:00 | Boch Center Shubert Theatre, 270 Tremont St, Boston, MA, 02116
Outback Presents & Off The Kerb Productions are thrilled to announce that after more than two decades of packed arenas, five critically-acclaimed tours, and over 1.5 million tickets sold worldwide, Kevin Bridges—one of the UK’s most celebrated comedians—is coming to North America with his Live tour this fall.
With five stand-up specials, including the cinematic release of his latest show The Overdue Catch-Up, and two bestselling books, Kevin Bridges is a comedic force whose sharp wit and relatable storytelling have made him a household name across the UK and beyond. Now, for the first time ever, North American audiences will get to experience his signature brand of comedy—live on stage.

October 12, 2025: Scotland Connecticut Highland Festival and Games
2025-10-12 00:00 | Brooklyn Fair Grounds, Brooklyn, CT
We are pleased to announce that our new location for our annual Highland Festival & Games will be held at the Brooklyn, Ct. Fairgrounds. After months of searching, walking, emails and meetings, our committee found that the Brooklyn Fair Grounds offered all that we were looking for. Not only is there on site parking , they also have numerous locations where we can set up the different events going on through out the day, areas where the many bagpipe bands can perform for the public without interfering with a different on going activity and it is located in the beautiful country town of Brooklyn, Ct::))
The 37th. annual Scotland Connecticut Highland Festival & Games will be held on Sunday, October 12th, 2025. The location of our festival is at the Brooklyn Fair Grounds, Brooklyn, Ct. on Rt. 169.
WE would like to encourage everyone to please follow all CDC guidelines, give yourself and others space. There is plenty of room and time for you to view all activities taking place throughout the day.
This festival supports many local businesses as well as offering Scholarships. The scholarships can be awarded to anyone who will be studying about Scotland ( U.K.) while in a college, advanced studies, which includes BUT NOT limited to the study of or lessons for the Bagpipes, Harp, drums, Fiddle, singing, dance, history, etc. Scholarship applications are available to print off of this web site. Just click the “more” icon at the top of the page, this will take you to the scholarship applications.

Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas
2025-11-13 00:00 | Bank of NH Stage, 16 S. Main Street, Concord, NH, United States
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.

Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas
2025-11-15 00:00 | One Longfellow Square, Portland, ME

Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas
2025-11-16 00:00 | Phippsburg Congregational Church, Phippsburg, ME

Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas
2025-11-19 00:00 | Rialto Theater, Lancaster, NH

Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas
2025-11-21 00:00 | Me & Thee Coffehouse, Marblehead, MA

Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas
2025-11-23 00:00 | Blackstone River Theatre, Cumberland, RI

RSCDS Boston presents: Celebrating our Celtic Connections
2025-11-23 15:00 - 17:00 | Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave. Somerville, MA 02143, Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave., Somerville, MA, MA, 02143, United States
Event Details

Join us in this lively, family-friendly space to enjoy Scottish music and dance, this time with a Canadian flavor. Tickets are general admission. The bar will be open, and snacks will be available. We promise you a joyous blend of music, highland dancing, and country dancing – onstage and for everyone. Bring the kids, bring the grandparents!
Ceilidh Dancing for all!
About the artists:
Katie McNally
Katie McNally grew up playing Scottish and Cape Breton music near Boston, Massachusetts and currently tours with her own projects, Pine Tree Flyers and the Katie McNally Trio. A member of the cross-genre fiddle supergroup, Childsplay, Katie has also toured with Karan Casey, John Whelan, and Galician bagpiper Carlos Núñez.
Equally at home on the concert stage or in the dance hall, she has appeared at Celtic Colours, Celtic Connections, Newport Folk Festival, and The Festival of American Fiddle Tunes, as well as countless folk venues throughout North America and Europe. In addition to her busy touring schedule, she is the artistic director of the Boston States Fiddle Camp at Potash Hill in Marlboro, Vermont and is a devoted educator who teaches regularly at fiddle camps across the country and gives private lessons at her home in Portland, Maine.
Visit Katie’s website here.
Keith Murphy
A native of Newfoundland, Keith’s traditional song repertoire is based in Eastern Canada and Quebec as well as his current home, Vermont. His direct and intimate style of traditional singing in English and French infuses old ballads and songs with a powerful immediacy while his rhythmic and percussive finger style of guitar playing brings new shape and color to his songs.
Keith is an accomplished composer and arranger in the realm of traditional music and has also composed for theater and film. He is a featured performer on well over a dozen recordings and a guest musician on numerous others. His versions of traditional songs have inspired recordings by other groups including Solas, Uncle Earl and Great Big Sea. Several of his compositions have been featured on the recent Ken Burns documentary on the Roosevelts.
Keith is a faculty member of the Brattleboro Music Center (BMC) and the artistic director of the BMC’s Northern Roots Traditional Music Festival in Brattleboro, Vermont which he founded in 2008. He was a featured performer in the Boston Revels 2016 Christmas show Valse Noel, and he is the music director for the WGBH Boston public radio’s annual Celtic Sojourn St Patrick’s Day concerts held at Sanders Theater and elsewhere in New England.
Visit Keith’s website here.
Stephen Thomforde
Stephen began playing the Great Highland pipes at age twelve and has since added small and border pipes to his repertoire. Growing up near Philadelphia, Stephen was immersed in the vibrant folk scene from a young age. He began with contra and English dancing and discovered Scottish country dance while working at Pinewoods Camp in Plymouth in 2010. He’s been hooked ever since. In addition to playing with the Catamount Pipe Band in Montpelier, VT, Stephen is an accomplished dancer, having performed with the Red Thistle Dancers in Palo Alto, CA, and the Boston Scottish Country Dancers. Stephen also handcrafts Scottish bagpipes and pipe-themed gifts.
Visit Stephen’s website here.
Highland Dance Boston
Highland Dance Boston is a performing company that specializes in the traditional and contemporary dances of Scotland. The company includes competitive highland dancers, teachers of Scottish dance, and musicians. Their repertoire includes many exciting choreographies of traditional highland and step dances, as well as some original pieces based on highland dance vocabulary. The group was formed in 2002 by Robert McOwen and Karen Campbell Mahoney. It has performed at the New England Folk Festival and Gaelic Roots and in all the Boston Branch’s November celebrations. Their founder, Robert McOwen, is once again Artistic Director of this year’s concert.
Highland Dance Boston website
The Boston Scottish Country Dancers
The Boston Scottish Country Dancers are the performing group of the Boston Branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society (RSCDS). The group has performed at the New England Folk Festival, the Dance for World Community, highland games, Burns’ Nights, town fairs, retirement communities, children’s events, church functions, and weddings. Audience participation is the highlight of many performances.
About the Boston Scottish Country Dancers
About the venue
https://artsatthearmory.org/
The Armory has its own parking lot, an overflow lot, and nearby on-street parking is free on Sundays. The Armory is also accessible from the T, either from the Green Line at Magoun Square or the Red Line at Davis Square.
Google maps directions to Arts at the Armory

rscdsboston.org

Contact Info

https://www.rscdsboston.org

27th Annual Pipes of Christmas in Boston (Friday)
2025-12-05 19:00 - 21:30 | Church of the Covenant, 67 Newbury Street, Boston, MA, United States
A cultural fundraiser and stirring celebration of Celtic Christmas traditions.
The Pipes of Christmas brings together musicians, soloists, and performers from across America and the UK to share the magic of the holiday season through the timeless sounds of Celtic music. Audience-goers return year after year to experience our program, with many reporting that the Pipes of Christmas has become part of their family’s annual Christmas tradition.
In addition to this performance, you can also purchase tickets to:
New York City – December 13, 2025, 2:00PM
Summit, NJ – Sunday, December 14, 2:00PM
Summit, NJ – Sunday, December 14, 7:00PM (SOLD OUT)
Global webcast (concert highlights) – December 19-31

Christmas Cèilidh
2025-12-06 00:00 | St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Pawtucket, RI

27th Annual Pipes of Christmas in Boston (Saturday)
2025-12-06 12:00 - 14:30 | Church of the Covenant, 67 Newbury Street, Boston, MA, United States

Not Your Usual Burns Ceilidh 2026
2026-01-23 19:00 - 22:00 | Crystal Ballroom, 55 Davis Square, Somerville, MA, 02144, United States
Raise your glass and join us in Somerville’s Crystal Ballroom to celebrate Scotland’s national bard, Robert Burns: an evening of dance, song and poetry, light refreshments, cash bar and great company. Hosted by NHSCOT, National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA (NTSUSA), British Consulate General Boston, and Scots in New England.
Friday, January 23, 2026
7-10 PM (Doors open at 6:30 PM)
Advanced Ticket Price: $32 At the Door Ticket Price: $45
nhscot.org/events/burns-night-2026

Robert Burns Night
2026-01-24 17:00 - 21:00 | Elks Lodge, 10 Jeffereson St, Barre, VT, United States
Robert Burns Night! Brought to you by Catamount Pipe Band and the Vermont Institute of Celtic Arts. Also featuring Vermont Highland Dance. At the Elks Lodge 10 Jefferson St, Barre, VT. Jan 24th 5pm Drinks, 5:30pm Dinner, 7pm Concert. Concert and Dinner $50, Concert only $20. Scan the QR code for tickets, or find them at: https://ticketstripe.com/events/3968108154573988

Celebrate Burns Night at Ri Ra in Portland, Maine - A Seven Course Ode to Scotland
2026-01-25 17:00 - 21:00 | Rí Rá Irish Pub & Restaurant, 72 Commercial St, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Join us for a night of traditional Scottish food, fresh cask beer, live music, and shared poetry in celebration of Scotland’s beloved poet, Robert Burns!
Guests will enjoy a seven-course traditional Scottish meal, a curated Scotch selections, and beer poured straight from the cask.
Local favorite, Ross Adams, will perform live traditional Scottish music with his signature variety of instruments.
Tickets are limited and include the coursed meal, a cask pour, your choice of a glass of wine or a Scotch pour, and gratuity. Secure your ticket to celebrate Burns Night in true Scottish style!
For pricing and tickets – please visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/celebrate-burns-night-at-ri-ra-tickets-1978452408412

Brigadoon Ceilidh Dance with The Concord Players
2026-03-06 19:00 - 22:00 | 51 Walden Performing Arts Center, 51 Walden Street, Concord, MA, 01742, United States
The Concord Players invite you to a lively ceilidh featuring Summer McCall and her band. Enjoy an evening of dancing, live music, and community—plus a special sneak peek performance from the cast of Brigadoon!
To purchase tickets: concordplayers.org
Friday, March 6, 7:00 PM
51 Walden Street, Concord, MA

Free Lecture: Early Ulster-Scots Emigrants in Maine
2026-04-23 18:30 - 19:30 | Thomaston Public Library, Thomaston Public Library, Thomaston, ME, United States
Join us for an engaging evening exploring the rich history of the early Ulster-Scots settlers along the beautiful coast of Maine.

Date: April 23rd
Time: 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: Thomaston Public Library, Thomaston, Maine
Cost: Free

About the Lecture
Speaker: Julie Potter-Dunlop, President, Maine Ulster-Scots Project
Julie will be diving deep into the history of the hardy Ulster-Scots emigrants who made their homes in Maine during the mid-1700s. The discussion will specifically highlight the communities and individuals who settled in the following coastal areas:

Arrowsic & Georgetown
Boothbay & Damariscotta
Warren & St. George

We look forward to seeing you there to uncover the fascinating stories of our region’s early settlers!

The Concord Players' present Brigadoon
2026-04-24 - 2026-05-09 | 51 Walden Performing Arts Center, 51 Walden Street, Concord, MA, 01742, United States
Escape to the Scottish Highlands in Brigadoon, the beloved Lerner & Loewe musical about two Americans who stumble upon a mysterious village that appears for just one day every hundred years. As love and duty collide, one man must decide whether to return to his ordinary life—or stay in a place where time stands still and everything feels possible.
This production features traditional Scottish Highland and ceilidh dancing and includes bagpipes, bringing the world of the story to life with the energy and spirit of Scotland.
Dates: April 24, 8 PM. April 25, 8 PM. April 26, 2 PM. May 1, 8 PM. May 2, 8 PM. May 3, 8 PM. May 8, 8 PM. May 9, 8 PM.
Tickets/Info: Tickets are $28 and can be purchased at concordplayers.org

The Concord Players present Brigadoon
2026-04-24 20:00 - 2026-05-09 18:00 | 51 Walden Performing Arts Center, 51 Walden Street, Concord, MA, 01742, United States
The Concord Players presents Brigadoon, Lerner and Loewe’s beloved musical set in the Scottish Highlands. This new production places special emphasis on the show’s Scottish roots, incorporating traditional and authentic dance forms including Highland dance, sword dance, and ceilidh/country dancing, along with live bagpipes and cultural traditions. When two American travellers stumble upon the mysterious village of Brigadoon, they find a community suspended in time, where love, loyalty, and tradition shape everyday life. A romantic classic re-imagined with a deeper connection to Scotland’s living heritage.
For tickets, go to concordplayers.org
Performances:
Friday, April 24 at 8 PM
Saturday, April 25 at 8 PM
Sunday, April 26 at 2 PM
Friday, May 1 at 8 PM
Saturday, May 2 at 8 PM
Sunday, May 3 at 2 PM
Friday, May 8 at 8 PM
Saturday, May 9 at 8 PM

Scotland Vs Brazil
2026-05-10 08:00 - 17:00 | Hard Rock Stadium, 347 Don Shula Dr, Miami Gardens, FL, 33056, United States
Match 3 (Miami)
Scotland’s third group match takes the Tartan Army south to Florida for a massive clash against Brazil.

Open Roundtable
2026-05-11 18:00 - 19:30 | online via Zoom, Zoom, MA, United States
Join Us for Our Bi-Monthly Open Roundtable
Connect with a global community to explore our shared heritage! Our last two Roundtables were incredibly well-attended, bringing together participants from across various states, the UK, and Ireland.

Date: May 11th
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: Online via ZOOM

What We’ll Explore
We will be diving into a variety of fascinating subjects. Discussion topics will include:

Family Stories & Genealogy: Tracing roots and uncovering personal histories.
The Immigrant Experience: Exploring the origins of our ancestors and their experiences upon arrival.
Regional History: Deep dives into Scottish, Ulster, and Maine history.
Open Forum: Topics of specific interest to YOU!

🎟️ How to Register
Ready to join the conversation?

RSVP: Send an email to Dave@MaineUlsterScots.com to register.
Access: Upon emailing, you will receive the ZOOM meeting link to join the roundtable.

RIFC's first ever Scottish Heritage Night
2026-05-14 08:00 - 17:00 | Centreville Bank Stadium, Centreville Bank Stadium, 11 Tidewater Street, Pawtucket, RI, United States
Please join Rhode Island FC and The Scottish American Society of RI on Saturday, May 23rd as we celebrate Scottish Heritage leading up to Scotland’s appearance in the big tournament! Each package purchased comes with your ticket to Rhode Island FC vs. Brooklyn FC + a special RIFC x Scotland Scarf for you to showcase your country’s pride. Scarfs will be available for pickup at our sales table located outside section 131 on gameday. You can choose to donate to the Scottish American Society of RI if you’d like as well! We look forward to celebrating with you!

For any questions please contact Jared Rachko at 401-389-1809 or jrachko@rhodeislandfc.com
