Topic: "For Freedom Alone”: William Wallace, Robert Bruce and The First Scottish War of Independence, 1286-1329
Speaker: Professor Martin MacGregor, PhD, Senior Lecturer, Scottish History, University of Glasgow, Scotland
Topic: A Great Army of Militia: Pro-Government Independent Companies and the '45
Presenter: Matthew Dziennik, PhD, British and British Imperial History, Academic Sabbatical, Skye, Scotland
Topic: The Scottish factor in Cape Breton’s Coal-Mining Communities
Presenter: Don Nerbas, PhD, Associate Professor and the St. Andrew’s Society/McEuen Scholarship Foundation Chair in Canadian-Scottish Studies, Department of History and Classical Studies, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec
Topic: The World of Sir Walter Scott and Abbotsford
Speaker: Giles Ingram, Chief Executive at Abbotsford, the Home of Sir Walter Scott
Every year at our Scottish Festival & Highland Games, the Chicago Scots feature a family or an organization as our Honored Clan. This year, to recognize and celebrate its’ strong Scottish roots, our Honored Clan is Rotary International. We are proud to announce that Rotary International’s Scottish President, Gordon McInally has agreed to lead our Parade of Tartans at 12:30 p.m. Gordon will also receive the Salute to the Chieftain from the Massed Pipe Bands at approximately 6.30pm on Saturday, June 15, 2024.
Ticket Discount. All Rotarians will receive a 15% discount on tickets. Your discount code is available through your local Rotary Club or contact Meghan Larson at meghanlarson@chicagoscots.org.
Recognizing Your Rotary Club. Every Rotary Club marching in the parade will be recognized by Club name. After you register, email your club name to Dawn Miller.
Parade kicks off at 12:30 p.m. Marchers should gather next to the Athletic Field at 12 noon with clans, families, and organizations.
Interested to Volunteer? Attend for Free. Volunteers get free admission on the day they volunteer. Time slots are 3-4 hours. See volunteer opportunities available here.
Massed Bands at 6:30 p.m. Gordon will receive the Salute to the Chieftain from the Piped Bands at 6:30 p.m. on the Heavy Athletics Field.