Find your roots and get your plaid on. The Scottish Tartans Museum and Heritage Center, Inc. located in Frankin, North Carolina,0 was established by the STS to be a center for reliable information on Scottish Highland Dress traditions within the United States, and to serve the large Scottish-American heritage community. Originally established in Highlands, NC in 1988. The museum has been in Franklin since 1994, where we have educated the public about tartan and Highland Dress as well as, served as a general Scottish Heritage Center for the region.

A tour of the Scottish Tartans Museum and Heritage Center, Inc. offers a look into “the origins, history, and development of tartans.”, specifically the development of the kilt.

Other exhibits also cover various aspects of the Scottish emigrant experience into North Carolina, and their interaction with the Cherokee people, natives to the southern Appalachians.

(Note: This is a separate ticketed event)

Join Adrian Paul for a chance to hone your swords skills in one of our four sessions of swordplay, on February 28th. Whether you have never picked up a sword before, or if you are experienced, the sessions will help you with fun trials, basic handling, swing control, attack and defense positions and much more. And don’t worry we are including brand new choreography and techniques so if you came last year you will be sure to get something different this time around.

Adrian Paul's "The Sword Experience" isan immersive event blending cinematic sword choreography, martial arts, and storytelling, designed by the Highlanderstar to teach participants realistic fight techniques, footwork, and focus using wooden swords (bokkens) in a fun, action-packed, and supportive environment for all skill levels, from beginners to aspiring actors, promoting fitness, confidence, and unleashing their inner warrior.

Archery tests the accuracy and aim by shooting arrows at a target and is available for at all skill levels. This competitive event tests the accuracy and aiming skills and is an an iconic part of Scottish culture and fun for everyone.

Provided by Herb N Chick

Axe throwing tests the accuracy and strength by throwing battle axes at a target from increasing distances. The axe which is thrown from the greatest distance, strikes blade-first in the center of the target is the goal.

American Axe Throwing is north Florida's premier mobile axe throwing unit. We bring the excitement of this unique sport to your event, party, or corporate gathering. Our experienced instructors will teach you the art of axe throwing in a safe and fun environment. Book your session today and unleash your inner lumberjack!

Cricket is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of eleven players on a large oval field with a rectangular pitch in the center. One team bats, attempting to score runs by striking the ball and running between two sets of wooden stumps called wickets, while the opposing team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss batters by hitting the wickets, catching the ball, or forcing errors. The game is divided into innings, and matches can range from a few hours in fast-paced formats like Twenty20 to several days in traditional Test cricket. Combining strategy, precision, and teamwork, cricket is one of the most widely followed sports in the world.

Crickett Demonstration is provided by Tom Melville

Sheep herding is a Scottish is a long standing tradition and dates back centuries, with sheep initially raised for meat and later for milk and wool. Herders use whistles and verbal commands to guide their dogs.

Billy Bishop can easily be spotted on any given day with a pack of Border Collies surrounding him, he’s been an Ocala horseshoer for the past two decades, and in his spare time he travels and competes with his border collies all over the nation. Recent successes have brought him and his dog Ace as far as the national finals in Alturas California this past September. The handler and dog work in partnership through training and experience. In addition to herding livestock, Border Collies also herd other domestic animals, children and home equipments.

John Miles is a retired US Marine and former college professor that now delivers lectures on Scottish history and other historical topics to groups. Subjects
include; Reasons for Scottish Immigration to North America, Viking Colonization of Scotland, The Galloglass (Scottish Mercenaries in Ireland), the Jacobite rebellions and Captain Kidd, Scottish sailor and pirate. Organizations that lectures have been presented to or are scheduled for; Scottish American Society Palm Beach, FL, Scottish American Military Society (SAMS), The Highland Society of Harford Country, MD, The St. Andrew's Society of Baltimore, MD, the Carolina
Caledonian Fest, and the NEFL Highland Games.

He holds or has held membership in the following organizations; Clan Gillean USA, The Scottish American Military Society (SAMS), Scottish American Society Palm
Beach, FL, the St. Andrew’s Society of Albany, NY, and the Scottish American Society of Tidewater, VA. John volunteered as a guest history lecturer at the VT Veterans’ Home. He served as the 2014 guest speaker at the Wounded Military Heroes Ski Weekend with the adaptive ski program at the Bart Center at Bromley Mountain Ski Resort and spoke to the Vermont Governor’s Veterans Education Committee (GVEC).