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 language of the Scottish Highlands was passed on 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.

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: Jana Grazley & Kira Baker

Join City of Vancouver Archivists Kira Baker and Jana Grazley for a unique insight into the Archives’ holdings that relate to the almost 150 year-old 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 historic 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 PhD candidates Shauna Irani, Dana Graham Lai and Abigail 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 Highland Scots and Scottish history buffs.

4:00 pm Suas a’ Ghàidhlig: (Up with the Gaelic) Robyn Carrigan

Thanks to the immense popularity of her presentation each year, Robyn is back! Nova Scotia’s Robyn Carrigan grew up surrounded by the music and culture of her Gaelic-speaking ancestors from the Scottish highlands. Our “ScotFestBC Seanchaidh” brings with her stories about Gaelic life after the highland clearances and resettlement in New Scotland (Nova Scotia). This presentation offers a unique and authentic window into the world of the Gaels who immigrated to Nova Scotia in the 19th century, including a milling frolic for everyone. You can also catch her with the Vancouver Gaelic Choir in the Cultural Tent at 12:00 pm.