Saturday

Something for Everyone

ScotFestBC offers an exciting lineup of events and activities throughout the festival, celebrating Scottish culture, music, and heritage. Whether you’re here for the Highland Games, live performances, or family-friendly fun, our schedule is packed with something for everyone.

Plan your visit and make the most of this unforgettable experience!

Saturday June 20, 2026

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Highland Dancing Stage

8:30 am – 5:00 pm

Vancouver Open Highland Dancing Competition

Piper’s Field

8:00 am

BC Pipers’ Assn. Solo Piping and Drumming Competition

1:00 pm

Salute to the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Legion, with the Centennial Legion Pipe Band, Command President Bob Underhill and the Legion Centennial Colour Guard.

1:30 pm

RCMP E. Division Pipe Band, with Pipe Major Hugh Peden

2:00 pm

Pipe Band Competitions Grades 4 and 5

3:00 pm

Pipe Band Competitions Grades 1 and 2 (incl. SFU Pipe Band)

5:00 pm

Massed Pipe Bands (will be performed at Lew Ross Heavy Event Field)

Piper’s Glen

8:00 am to 4:30 pm

Pipe Band tent set up, assembly and warm-up areas.

Lew Ross Heavy Event Field

10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Scottish Heavy Events Competition (caber toss is the final event)

5:00 pm

Massed Pipe Bands

Scottish Cultural Tent

Sponsored by the Scottish Cultural Centre Society.
Hosted by Jim McIntyre
St. Andrew’s & Caledonian Society
Vancouver Gaelic Choir

11:00 am

Alternative Bagpipes of the British Isles – Dr. Gord Pollock

There have always been bagpipes in countries around the world, but in Britain, most people think Great Highland Bagpipes, which is what you hear mainly at ScotFestBC. Piper and bagpipe expert Dr. Gord Pollock is back to talk about alternative bagpipes, that have long existed, or have evolved in the British Isles. This is a chance to hear from one of BC’s top piping experts who will talk about and demonstrate some of the alternative bagpipes that have long existed in the British Isles, and how each instrument influences the other.

12:00 pm

The Great Highland Bagpipe – Zephan Knichel, Piper

A chance to get up close to a Great Highland Bagpipe and see how it ticks. SFU Pipe Band member Zephan Knichel will expertly guide you through the uniqueness of this instrument and the nuances that draws people towards it. He’ll talk about the history, the music and the mystique of an ancient instrument that continues to thrive in today’s world.

1:00 pm

Olympians, Hero’s and Politicians: 129 Years of BC’s Caledonian Games: Neil MacLean

A photographic look back on the history of the British Columbia (or Caledonian) Highland Games in Vancouver with St. Andrew’s & Caledonian Society member and historian Neil MacLean. Through photos, souvenir programs and minutes, Neil reveals the legacy of the highland games and its significance to the Scottish community that so influenced the early years of Vancouver. His research reintroduces us to famous athletes and Olympians, highland dancers and pipers who made the Caledonian games a must-attend event since 1893.

2:00 pm

TBA

3:00 pm

Rediscovering the Jacobites – Dr. Leith Davis, SFU Centre for Scottish Studies

The Battle of Culloden (April 16, 1746), marked the effective end of the Jacobite cause and was followed by the violent suppression of Jacobites through mass transportation and execution, and official attempts to eradicate Scottish Highland culture. Despite the fact that Jacobitism was so pervasive in the British archipelago and that it posed such a danger to the government, its impact has been altered over time. Join Dr. Leith Davis, Professor in the Department of English and the Director and co founder of the Centre for Scottish Studies at Simon Fraser University for a fascinating look back on Highland and British history.

4:00 pm

Suas a’ Ghàidhlig: (Up with the Gaelic) Robyn Carrigan

Nova Scotia’s Robyn Carrigan grew up surrounded by music and Gaelic culture. Robyn has returned to ScotFestBC thanks to the immense popularity of her presentation in the Cultural Tent. This presentation offers a unique and authentic window into the world of the Gaels who immigrated to Canada in the 19th century, including a milling frolic for everyone.