Celebrate Scottish culture with dance, food, music, and ancient strength events featuring 56-pound stones and 22-pound hammers.
Since 1994, nonprofit Historic Rural Hill in Huntersville has been hosting the Loch Norman Highland Games, a two-day event featuring an ancient Scottish competition of strength. Participants may be amateurs or paid professionals who train to flip a 20-foot log, spin and launch a 56-pound weight, and throw a 22-pound hammer without moving their feet.
“Loch Norman is a big game,” says Buck Buchanan, a professional games announcer based in Wake Forest. “It’s one of the flagship games on the East Coast. Everybody wants to throw at Loch Norman. They’re going to do what they can to get there.”
On April 18 and 19, adaptive athletes, amateurs, masters (over 40 years old), and professional men and women from all over the world will compete in traditional Scottish strength events: caber toss, sheaf toss, hammer throw, stone put, weight for distance, and weight over bar. Participants compete in all events.
For the caber toss, competitors toss a 20-foot log, ranging from 100 to 180 pounds. Caber is the Gaelic word for tree. The goal is for the caber to land at 12 o’clock, as on a clock face, in front of the athlete.
“They’re going to pick up the small end with their palms and put the big end over their head,” Buchanan explains. “They’re going to try to balance it, run with it, and flip it over, end over end.”
What to expect
Buchanan, recognizable by a 27-inch imperial mustache, keeps the event rolling by introducing athletes, pipers, and drums as they enter the field. As a multiple-time games champion, Buchanan is familiar with what’s expected of the athletes.
“I get to sit on the review stand and tell everybody what’s going on,” he says. “You’ll hear my voice all day, every day.”
More than 80 Scottish clan tents line the competitor’s field. A historic military encampment, Scottish Tartan Museum, long bow, battle axe, sheep herding, and other activities take place in the surrounding areas. Other tents feature live Celtic music, Highland dance, piping, and drumming competitions. Food trucks such as Celtic Monkey, Scottish Cottage, and St. Andrew’s Square provide beverages and food.
Highlights at the event include the Parade of Tartans, when all the clans march around the field holding family banners, a parade of Scottish dog breeds, and the Mass Bands. Each day, 100 to 150 pipers and drummers perform on the field.
“All of the bands and individuals who come to compete will join in a massive group,” says James Blaylock, the games marshall for Loch Norman Highland Games and the vice chair on Historic Rural Hill’s board of directors. “They will hit the field together, and play tunes that they all know. There’s a lot of pomp and circumstance.”
Tickets are $30 a day or $40 for the two-day event for visitors 12 and older, $15 a day or $20 for the two-day event for children 5 to 12 years old, and free for children 5 and under. Parking is $10 per day. Bourbon and whisky tastings, RV sites, and camping are additional fees.
Historic Rural Hill’s yearlong programming
On Jan. 1, Historic Rural Hill presents First Footin’ hike along the property with pipers leading the way, learn about Scottish traditions, and finish with stone soup, a hearty stew based on a European folktale.
Later in January, head to Burns Night, a formal and immersive dinner with a three-course Scottish dinner showcasing the work of poet Robert Burns. The event opens with Piping in the Haggis, a ceremonial tribute to the poet: The chef brings out the traditional Scottish pudding as a piper plays music.
In February, guests are invited to Twos-Day Ladies Tea, an afternoon celebration of Scottish tales, teas, and treats.
Each August, Miss May’s Tea honors Rural Hill’s benefactor, Miss May Davidson, with tea, lemonade, and light hors d’oeuvres.
Find your way out of Rural Hill’s Corn Maze on weekends in September and October. The maze’s shape typically embodies Celtic symbols. Food trucks and hayrides add to the fall fun.
Sheepdog Trials and Dog Festival in November showcases more than 75 pairs of shepherd and border collies working together to corral sheep. The two-day event includes live music, vendors, and a presentation by the Carolina DockDogs.
Please check the website for other events, dates, admission fees, and reservation information before heading to Historic Rural Hill.
