This weekend, Central Winds Park in Winter Springs resembles the rolling hills of Scotland, complete with bagpipes, highland games, herding dogs and even haggis.
These festivities are part of the 48th Central Florida Scottish Highland Games, which will return on January 17th and 18th to celebrate the sights, sounds, and flavors of Scotland. Attendees can experience a piper, dancing, animals, craft vendors, ax throwing, archery, medieval camping, children’s activities, food and beverages, athletics and more.
There is enough variety to satisfy visitors with all interests, but athletic events such as stone throwing, hammer throwing, cabertoss, bundle throwing and weighted overbars will prove to be a big draw.
“Everyone who comes to our games loves the intense athletics,” said Brian Stewart, president of the Scottish American Association of Central Florida Clans and Associations. “Who doesn’t like seeing strong people throw things like telephone poles and rocks?”
Young visitors can experience these traditional observances in the Kids Games Zone, designed for children ages 1 to 12. Enjoy arts and crafts, cabaret toss, haggis toss, bundle toss, tug of war and more in a non-competitive environment.
On both festival days, countless events take place simultaneously from morning until late afternoon or evening. At noon on Saturday, guests can watch a welcome ceremony with a pipe and drum band and a tartan parade. Throughout the day, visitors can roam between stages to live Celtic rock bands, witness dance competitions, watch border collie demonstrations, and learn about Scottish heritage as they explore the clans. The festival also includes a visit with Highland cows and Scotland’s national animal, the unicorn.
Patrick Connolly / Orlando Sentinel
A unicorn is shown off at the 43rd Annual Central Florida Scottish Highland Games at Central Winds Park in Winter Springs in 2020 (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
One unique and interactive event is Boulder Boogie, where competitors carry stones weighing hundreds of pounds as far as possible.
Festival goers will have plenty to eat and drink, including turkey legs, fish and chips, haggis, Scotch eggs, shortbread and traditional fair food. Alcoholic beverages are available to anyone over the age of 21.
The Genealogy Tent is a place for people of Scottish descent to explore their ancestry and a place for everyone to learn more about history. This area has families representing people from New England and the western United States.
Patrick Connolly / Orlando Sentinel
The Honor Guard carries the colors during the 43rd Annual Central Florida Scottish Highland Games at Central Winds Park in Winter Springs. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
The event, which is approaching its 50th anniversary, has grown with Central Florida over the years and now draws an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 guests throughout the weekend. Stewart recalls his first experience with the game as a child.
At the time, the festival was held at the Central Florida Fairgrounds, and Stewart remembers driving by with her father.
“I thought, ‘What is this? There are people throwing telephone poles and pipes,'” he said. “I looked at my dad and without exchanging a word, I signaled that I should go to this event.”
Patrick Connolly / Orlando Sentinel
Athletes participate in a cabertoss during the 43rd Annual Central Florida Scottish Highland Games at Central Winds Park in Winter Springs. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Stewart hopes the event will provide entertainment and culture for all in attendance, as people from across Central Florida and beyond come together to celebrate Scottish heritage and romance.
“We just want to provide that heroic inspiration to others and the thousands of people who have come through our games over the years,” he said.
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If you go
The 48th Annual Central Florida Scottish Highland Games will be held at 1000 Central Winds Drive in Winter Springs on January 17th from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and January 18 from 8:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. Advance online tickets cost $30 per adult on Saturday and $25 per adult on Sunday (before fees). Tickets can be purchased at the gate. There are common tickets available for both days. Discounts are available for children aged 12-17 and children aged 6-11. Children under 6 years old are free. Parking is available on-site or off-site at 2 satellite parking lots with free shuttles. Pets are not allowed and must be trained and leashed service dogs. For more information, please visit flscot.com.
