BY PATRICIA DUFF
Aug. 7, 2013

Everyone is a little bit Scottish at the Whidbey Island Highland Games at Greenbank Farm.

Don’t miss the chance to get in touch with your  inner Celt from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10.

The center piece of the Games is competitions in four major areas, Highland Piping, Drumming, Dancing, and traditional Scottish Athletics, and when you hear that first wail of the bagpipe, the Celtic roots in all of us takes over. Bring the whole family and experience being surrounded by Scottish music, culture and a variety of Celtic performances, which are scheduled throughout the day on the Main Stage. Trace your ancestry as you stroll among the Clan Tents or enjoy browsing throughout the vendor shops, which display traditional Scottish clothing, literature, music, weaponry and perhaps a stuffed Loch Ness Monster, if you’re lucky.

Dancers compete at the Blackford Highland Games in Perthshire, Scotland. (Photo by clublacostablog.com)

Thrill to the sound of the bagpipes and the cadence of the drums as you witness first-hand the fine array of talented pipers and drummers competing before judges. Behold the grace and elegance of the Scottish dancers as they regale you with the traditional Highland and Nationals dances of Scotland. Be amazed by the titans who deftly toss the caber and put the stone, matching skill and strength against the odds on the athletic field of battle.

Don’t miss all the various traditional and modern Celtic arts which are showcased at the Highland Games, with a beer garden and various food vendors offering assorted types of traditional Scottish refreshment and sustenance.

Admission is $10 for adults; $7 for seniors/military/students ages 5 to 17; children 4 and younger get in free.

Sorry, no pets allowed.

Highland Games Schedule of Events:

8 a.m. 

• Gates open for competitors

9 a.m.

• Athletic Field Events begin
• Piping Competition sign-in

10 a.m.     

• Cascade Comets Dog Demonstration begins
• Shire of Earnrokke Performances begins
• Piping Solo Competition begins

10:30 a.m.

• Beer Garden opens

12 p.m.     

• Opening Ceremonies

1 p.m.         

• Competitions and entertainment resume
• Children’s games begin

1:30 p.m. 

• Highland Dancing resumes

4 p.m.         

• Approximate time of Caber Toss

5 p.m.       

• Closing Ceremonies and Massed Bands

Visit the Whidbey Island Highland Games website here for more info.