The Scottish Festival & Highland Games

Everyone is Scottish (for at least one weekend). Each June, we turn the Chicago suburb of Itasca into Aye-tasca with our family-friendly, two day festival. About 15,000 people join us each year for a variety of Scottish activities and attractions from the iconic caber toss to the largest bagpiping and drumming championship in North America. There is truly something for everyone with our Highland Dancing competition, children’s activities, dogs of Scotland, a British Car show, a Celtic rock stage, knobbly knees contest, whisky tasting, genealogy and much more! At our marketplace you can buy everything Scottish….kilts, candy, jewelry and of course shortbread and haggis!

2023 Competition Winners

Pipe Band Competition
1st Place – Grade 1: St. Thomas Alumni Pipe Band
1st Place – Grade 2: Ulster Scottish Pipe Band
1st Place – Grade 3: St. Columcille United Gaelic Pipe Band
1st Place – Grade 4: The Commonwealth Pipes and Drums
1st Place – Grade 5: North Texas Caledonian Pipes & Drums

Solo Competitions
For the full list of MWPBA solo results, please click here.

Heavy Athletics
Open Stone: Nathan Burchett
Heavy Weight for Distance: Elissa Van Vleck
Lightweight for Distance: Luke Crowley
Heavy Hammer: Nathan Burchett
Caber: Emily Adams
Sheaf: Brian Staggs
Weight Over Bar: Elissa Van Vleck

British Car Show
First place: Forrest C. Shields – 1961 Light Blue Triumph TR3A
Second place: Donna Hanselman – 1938 MG Drophead Coupe
Third place: Jeff Harting – 1969 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow

Please be sure to post your photos and videos on social media using the hashtag:

#SCOTTISHFEST4ALL

See below for photos from the 2023 Scottish Festival and Highland Games.