PRESENTED BY LYON COLLEGE and Experience independence
Every year Arkansas’ oldest city, Batesville, plays host to one of America’s most popular Scottish festivals.
Pipers, drummers, dancers, athletes, Scottish clans, and vendors travel from all corners of the country to attend the event.
Special Events Ticket Sales • Patron Registration • Clan Registration • Vendor Registration • advertising become a sponsor

Ranked #7 of “the top 100 things to do in arkansas” by AY magazine.
Lyon College, located in Batesville, hosts the Arkansas Scottish Festival, one of the premier Scottish festivals in the United States. Established in 1979 as the Highland Games, the festival is emblematic of the College, its Scottish heritage, and its Presbyterian connection. Over the years, the festival has grown from a small Scottish fair to one of the top venues in the South Central United States for pipers, bands, dancers, and athletes.
Join us for a weekend full of piping competitions, delicious food, and unique handmade crafts. Gates open 8 a.m Saturday morning and opening ceremonies will begin at 12 p.m. with a parade of massed bands and clans.
Featured events
Entertainment tent
$35 Adults, Children $5, View Only $5•
South side of Brown Fine Arts Building
Glasgow Chip Shop Menu
Fish, Fresh Fried ‘Chips‘, BBQ & Beans
Cocktail Hour, Feast, Ceilidh, and Dancing
$75 • Tables $550
Edward Commons, Patterson Hall
Cocktail Hour
Cocktail Shrimp, Garlic & Mushroom Puff Pastry, and Spinach Puff Pastry
Dinner Ceilidh Menu
Salmon, Peas, Tatties & Neeps, Stovies, Scottish Beef Stew, Scotch Broth - Vegetarian Stew, Rolls, Salad, And Shortbread with yummy toppings!
Presenting Sponsors
thank you to our 2025 sponsors
Festival Title Sponsor
Feast & Ceilidh Presenting Sponsor
Entertainment Zone Tent Presenting Sponsor
Alex Beaton Stage Sponsor - STUART KYLE
Highland Games Presenting Sponsor - BANK OF CAVE CITY
Highland Dancing Sponsors - LA CROIX PRECISION OPTICS
Sheep Dog Demo Sponsors - INTIMIDATOR
Director's Reception Presenting Sponsors - JIMMY & LIZ BELL
VIP Hospitality Presenting Sponsors - FUTURE FUEL
Lil' Highlanders Fun Zone Presenting Sponsors - MYERS DAVIS & BAD BOY MOWERS
Dog Show Presenting Sponsors - ANIMAL MEDICAL CENTER-BATESVILLE
Sustaining Sponsors - WHITE RIVER HEALTH
Supporting Sponsors - BAKER FAMILY DENTISTRY
Scots Tailgate Field - BATESVILLE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Friends of the Festival Ad Sponsors - AMY CROUCH-HOWARD, WEICHERT REALTOR; LACROIX PRECISION OPTICS;
Tartan Society Ad Sponsors - OLD REGIONAL INDEPENDENCE MUSEUM, FOR THE GOOD TIMES TRAVEL
Alumni Awards Banquet Sponsor
Alumni Awards Banquet Entertainment Sponsor
Alumni Social Sponsor
Club 50 Sponsor
Black Student Association Alumni/Student Reunion - OPTIMUM CABLE, INTERNET, AND MOBILE