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!

10:00 am – 5:00 pm

ScotFestBC Highland Dancing competition

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)

8:00 am to 4:30 pm

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

9:00 am to 4:00 pm

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

5:00 pm

Massed Pipe Bands

11:00 am

Gaelic in the Glen – The Vancouver Gaelic Choir

Vancouver has been home to people singing in Scottish Gaelic for more than a century. The traditional way to pass on music or songs in the Scottish Highlands was through the generations at ceilidh’s (house parties) or at concerts by individuals or groups. The Vancouver Gaelic Choir grew out of this and today they continue to sing the ancient, and not so ancient songs in the Gaelic language.

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

The Vancouver Archives Scottish Heritage Records

Join City of Vancouver Archivists Kira Baker and Jan Grazley for a unique insight into the Archives’ holdings that relate to the century-plus Scottish community in Vancouver. Going back to 1886, the archivists will highlight particular society, business and personal papers documenting the local Scottish history up to 2024. This is a great follow-up to the 1:00 pm presentation on the Caledonian Games. Jana Grazley is a Digital Archivist responsible for managing, preserving, and providing access to analogue and born-digital records at the City of Vancouver Archives. Kira Baker is an Archivist providing reference services in the Reading Room as well as providing access to private-sector and City government records.

3:00 pm

Rediscovering the Jacobites – Shauna Irani, Dana Graham Lai & Abigail Streifel, SFU Centre for Scottish Studies

Take a deep dive into the 1745 Jacobite Rising in Scotland — from the words of the Jacobites themselves as preserved in ‘The Lyon in Mourning’ manuscript. 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.. Join SFU Masters students Irani, Lai and Streifel from SFU’s Research Centre for Scottish Studies as they present new research on the stories of those who hoped to put the Stuarts on the throne again — and the terrible aftermath of the failure of that enterprise. A must-attend for all Scottish history buffs and ancestors of the Jacobites.

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.

12:30 pm

Strictly Scottish (Pro Scottish Country Dancing Team)

1:15 pm

Bob Collins: ScotFestBC’s troubadour.

2:15 pm

Te Tini a Maui Kapa Haka: A Māori welcome to all Kiwi’s in town.

3:30 pm

The Barra MacNeil’s: On their 40ieth anniversary tour.

4:30 pm

The Saltchuckers: Vancouver’s newest Celtic group with Troy MacGillivray.

5:00 pm

Break for Massed Pipe Bands on the Lew Ross Field.

5:45 pm

Pipe bands in the Big Tent. Turn off your hearing aid.

6:15 pm

The Barra MacNeil’s: Wrapping up the 129th Games with a blast.

Please see the Whisky School Page for details on whiskies, classes and tickets.

12:00 pm The Whisky Revolution (Macaloney’s)

Price: $65 + service charge (includes entry fee)

1:00 pm The Spirit of Islay (JAK’s)

Sponsored by: JAK’s Beer Wine Spirits

A pilgrimage to the “Queen of the Hebrides.” Explore the peated icons of this rugged island. This session dives into the maritime smoke, seaweed, and brine notes that have made Islay the most famous whisky region in the world. A must-attend for those who worship a powerful “smoke and salt” profile.

Presenter: Diageo Ambassador (TBA)

Price: $65 + service charge (includes entry fee)

2:00 pm The Highland Heights (JAK’s)

Sponsored by: JAK’s Beer Wine Spirits

This session dives into the sophisticated world of Highland single malts. Explore the nuanced, honeyed, and occasionally spicy profiles that define northern craftsmanship. From floral delicacies to rich, structured oak, this class highlights the refined legacy and diverse character of Scotland’s most expansive whisky region.

Presenter: Beam Suntory Ambassador

Price: $65 + service charge (includes entry fee)

3:00 pm The Grand Tour (JAK’s)

Sponsored by: JAK’s Beer Wine Spirits

An Elevated Journey Through Scotland. Our “Premium” session for the curious palate. This class is designed for those who want to go beyond the basics and understand the incredible diversity of Scotch whisky in one sitting..

Presenter: Diageo Ambassador

Price: $75 + service charge (includes entry fee)

4:00 pm The Peat Project (Macaloney’s)

Sponsored by Macaloney Distillery

Smoke, Sea, and Terroir. This is the ultimate session for the smoke-lover who thinks they’ve tasted it all. While the world looks to the mossy bogs of Islay, Macaloney’s has spent years perfecting a purely North American peated profile that is as bold as the Pacific spirit. Join Graeme Macaloney for a masterclass in The Peat Project—a technical and sensory journey into the most unique smoke-infusion process in the industry.

This includes:

1. ‘Gold medal’ lightly peated triple disitlled potstill – 46% abv, 13 ppm Peated Kildara;
2. Newly released lightly peated single malt – 46% abv, 13 ppm Bang Sauce red wine & Virgin cask single malt;
3. ‘Gold medal‘ Sugar Kelp peated single malt – 50% abv, 54 ppm Peat Project Sugar Kelp & Washington peat, ex-Bourbon cask;
4. ‘Gold medal‘ peated PX sherry bomb – 46% abv, 54 ppm Peat Project Washington peat, Pedro Ximénez cask; and
5. ‘Whisky of the Year CWA 2025’ peated single malt – 50% abv, 54 ppm European Moscatel cask.

Presenter: Dr. Graeme Macaloney, Founder, Macaloney Distillery

Price: $65 + service charge (includes entry fee)