Who’s Coming?

Who’s coming to this party in 2013?

Competitors and vendors travel great distances to participate in the Skagit Valley Highland Games each year. We list here the pipe bands who registered to compete, along with the Clans, Vendors and Food Merchants.

Pipe Bands

The chart below will list the bands, their hometowns, the tartan of the kilts they’ll be wearing at the Skagit Valley Highland Games, and their competition grade for our band contests as they become available. The highest grade is “1″ – typically we have good representation across the class grades.

Clans and Organizations

The colorful traditions of the Clans adds so much festivity to our Highland Games. Upwards of 35 various Clans are expected.  We welcome each and every Clan and Scottish/Irish organization that plays such an important part at our Festival. Thanks to these people for helping us celebrate our culture and traditions!

Whisky!

We’re so very happy to once again have our friends from Laphroaig at this year’s Skagit Valley Highland Games.  In addition to two wonderful Islay single malt choices from our friends at Laphroaig, we’re also featuring two Irish whisky choices to contrast and compare.  You must be at least 21 years of age to enter the beer and/or whisky garden.

Laphroaig 10

Laphroaig Quarter Cask

Kilbeggan

Tyrconnell

Laphroaig® single malt scotch whisky, 43% alc./vol. ©2012 Laphroaig Import Company,Deerfield,IL

Kilbeggan® Blended Irish Whiskey 40% Alc./Vol. ©2012 Kilbeggan Distilling Import Company, Deerfield, IL

Tyrconnell® Single Malt Irish Whiskey 40% Alc./Vol. ©2012 Kilbeggan Distilling Import Company,

Mr. Simon Brooking, Master Laphroaig Ambassador

If you are over the legal purchase age and choose to drink alcohol, always do so in moderation and responsibly.   This Drink Smart Website, has been created to inform you about choices and the potential for alcohol abuse.

The tasting will be lead by Mr. Simon Brooking, a Master Ambassador with Laphroaig.  Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, and a member of the Robertson Clan, Simon traces his roots back to the 13^th Century and the Celtic Earls of Atholl.  A well-known expert on Scotch whisky, Simon has worked for many of the leading Scotch distilleries, learning the art and science of distilling from the world’s foremost master distillers and blenders.  For over 15 years, Simon has led thousands of Scotch whisky tastings for consumers, bartenders and social organizations.  Both informative and entertaining, his presentations have made him an in-demand speaker and spokesperson.

Simon’s love of Scotland’s Highlands and Islands has paved the way to his present position as BeamGlobal Spirits’ Master Ambassador for Laphroaig and Ardmore Single Malt Scotch whiskies.

Food Vendors

Merchandise Vendors

Celtic Farm

The Celtic farm is always one of the most popular stops at our Highland Games, featuring interesting local animals – many with strong Scottish traditions. The Highland Cattle display features the very attractive long (and usually but not always) red-haired beasties from the Highlands of Scotland. These impressive animals come in other colors too, however at our event we’ve mostly seen the red ones. To find out more here is a great website on Highland Cattle.

In addition to Highland Cattle, we’re pleased to have SPOT (Saving Pets one-at-a-Time) join us. What better way to remember the day than to take a living, breathing “memento” home?

As in previous years, Lang’s Pony Farm will be offering pony rides for little Highlanders all weekend. Additionally, we will have stunningly beautiful Clydesdale and Percheron horses to appreciate.