CLAN GALBRAITH SOCIETY
2026 HONORARY CHIEF OF THE HIGHLAND GAMES
HIGHLANDER FINANCIAL GROUP
2025 HONORARY CHIEF OF THE HIGHLAND GAMES
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LIGONIER HIGHLAND GAMES ENTERTAINMENT ROSTER
THE LIGONIER HIGHLAND GAMES HAS THE ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES LISTED BELOW HAPPENING IN PAVILION E1 AND THE WATERPARK PAVILION
PERFORMING AT PAVILION E1:
PITTSBURGH SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE SOCIETY
Country Dancing emerged in Scotland at the beginning of the 18th century as a form of social dancing, usually done in groups of four couples somewhat like its cousin, Western Square Dancing. After two centuries of mass popularity, Scottish Country Dancing was a fading memory when in 1923 the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society was founded to restore and preserve the tradition. Hundreds of dances have been edited and republished from old manuscripts. The very dance most frequent at Highland Balls now - The Montgomerys' Rant - was recorded as a favorite at balls in 1749.
The Pittsburgh affiliate of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society will demonstrate this happy blend of music and movement with performances at 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM at Pavilion E1.
These demonstrations will combine a performance with audience participation. All those interested are invited to watch and perhaps try their hand at dancing with some instruction. This activity is available to anyone interested, though it is suggested that participating children be at least 8 years old. Comfortable shoes are all that is required!
The Pittsburgh affiliate of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society will demonstrate this happy blend of music and movement with performances at 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM at Pavilion E1.
These demonstrations will combine a performance with audience participation. All those interested are invited to watch and perhaps try their hand at dancing with some instruction. This activity is available to anyone interested, though it is suggested that participating children be at least 8 years old. Comfortable shoes are all that is required!
DRUIDSONG
DRUIDSONG IS THE MUSICIAN, SINGER, SONGWRITER AND PERFORMER BRUCE GOLIGHTLY. HE HAS APPEARED AT THE LIGONIER HIGHLAND GAMES SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE YEARS AND PERFORMS REGULARLY IN THE PITTSBURGH REGION. HE PERFORMS A MIX OF SCOTTISH, IRISH AND CELTIC FOLK SONGS AND SOME MORE TRADITIONAL AMERICAN FOLK SONGS AS WELL.
BARRA THE BARD
Barra the Bard returns for her 38th Year of Scottish Storytelling
Barra has been our seannachie for 38 years! A seannachie is the Scots Gaelic word for “storyteller,” and Barra the Bard has been telling Scottish tales with us since the last millenium. She’s only ever repeated one tale one time, and that was a request! Barra learned many Hebridean and Scottish tales from her great-great grandmother, who emigrated from the Isle of Barra (yes, Barra was named for it) in the 1820s with her a small bardic harp that had been handed down for almost 200 years.
She tells stories in the ancient manner as a traditional teller, not reading a book aloud but working from memory, the heart. A professional storyteller for many years, she’s told in churches, classrooms, private and holiday parties, concerts, fraternal groups, museums and other festivals for almost thirty years.
She’s an active member of StorySwap, Pittsburgh’s Storytelling Guild, which sponsors Tellabration concerts in November and the Three Rivers Storytelling Festival in August; most recently, doing “harptellings,” there in which she’s combined playing her harp, singing and telling. Barra told at the scholarship awards banquet at Pittsburgh’s St. Andrew’s Society and has been a part of Pittsburgh Tartan Day celebrations here since they began more than twenty years ago.
Barra estimates her repertoire is well over 5,000 folktales, myths and legends from around the world. Besides those genres, she delights in telling folk- and fairytales, ghost stories, historical tales, and a few of her own. Other aspects of her work include research, blogging, writing, and leading workshops on storytelling and public speaking topics and “songtellings,” combining telling and music. In the past she has taught at CMU’s Academy of Life-long Learning (ALL) and was a guest lecturer at Pitt’s School of Library & Information Sciences’ graduate storytelling classes. She’s been the fiction editor and has written a column of Scottish folktales and folklore for the Scottish Harp Society of America’s (SHSA) journal, Kilt & Harp for more than 17 years.
She’s an active member of StorySwap, Pittsburgh’s Storytelling Guild, which sponsors Tellabration concerts in November and the Three Rivers Storytelling Festival in August; most recently, doing “harptellings,” there in which she’s combined playing her harp, singing and telling. Barra told at the scholarship awards banquet at Pittsburgh’s St. Andrew’s Society and has been a part of Pittsburgh Tartan Day celebrations here since they began more than twenty years ago.
Barra estimates her repertoire is well over 5,000 folktales, myths and legends from around the world. Besides those genres, she delights in telling folk- and fairytales, ghost stories, historical tales, and a few of her own. Other aspects of her work include research, blogging, writing, and leading workshops on storytelling and public speaking topics and “songtellings,” combining telling and music. In the past she has taught at CMU’s Academy of Life-long Learning (ALL) and was a guest lecturer at Pitt’s School of Library & Information Sciences’ graduate storytelling classes. She’s been the fiction editor and has written a column of Scottish folktales and folklore for the Scottish Harp Society of America’s (SHSA) journal, Kilt & Harp for more than 17 years.
PERFORMING AT WATERPARK PAVILION:
RED McWILLIAMS
Red McWilliams is a world-renown Celtic singer who continues to please audiences all overwith his craic humor, heart-wrenching ballads and spirited songs of Scotland and Ireland. Red will have you singing and tapping your toes to your favorite traditional and contemporary Celtic songs. His shows are full of humor, elements of surprise and wonder, as he takes you through his musical journey through Scotland and Ireland. Critics have touted him as “America’s Celt”. Red’s award winning arrangements and unique performance stylewill surely capture your heart!
SKARA BRAE
Out of the Mists of Time, the village of Skara Brae reemerged. Built before the pyramids, or even Stonehenge, this tiny town was there. The band chose this name because they play music from another time. Celtic Tunes played on guitar, whistle, and Flute weave through the air and take you back to the days of old when people would gather at the Pub to hear the songs of Ireland and Scotland. Join Matt and Marielle as they play traditional and original tunes in the Celtic Spirit!
Become a sponsor of the Ligonier Highland Games and help us continue the tradition of preserving and promoting Scottish arts and heritage. Your donation will be recognized on our website and in the souvenir program book. Other benefits can include V.I.P. seating, hotel accommodation and becoming an honorary chieftain. Click link above to find out more.
