This weekend, Central Winds Park in Winter Springs will resemble the rolling hills of Scotland, complete with bagpipes, Highland games, herding dogs and even haggis.
These festivities are a part of the 48th annual Central Florida Scottish Highland Games, which returns Jan. 17-18 to celebrate the sights, sounds and tastes of Scotland. Attendees can experience pipers, dancing, animals, artisan craft vendors, axe throwing, archery, a medieval camp, children’s activities, food and drinks, athletics and more.
While there’s enough variety to satisfy visitors of all interests, the athletic events — such as stone put, hammer throw, caber toss, sheaf toss and weight over bar — prove to be a big draw.
“Everyone who comes to our games loves the heavy athletics,” said Bryan Stewart, the Scottish American Society of Central Florida’s chairman of clans and societies. “Who doesn’t like seeing strong people throw telephone poles and rocks and other things?”
Young visitors can get a sense of these traditional events in a Kids’ Games zone for children ages 1-12. Offerings include arts and crafts, caber toss, the haggis hurl, sheaf toss and tug of war in a non-competitive environment.
Both festival days have myriad events happening simultaneously from the morning until late afternoon or evening. At noon on Saturday, guests can see the welcoming ceremonies with pipe and drum bands and a parade of tartans. Throughout the day, visitors can wander between stages with live music from Celtic rock bands, witness dance competitions, see border collie demonstrations and learn about Scottish heritage while exploring clans. The festival even includes visits with Highland cows and a unicorn, which is Scotland’s national animal.
Patrick Connolly / Orlando Sentinel
A unicorn is shown off during the 43rd annual Central Florida Scottish Highland Games at Central Winds Park in Winter Springs in 2020. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
One unique and interactive event is the Boulder Boogie, during which competitors carry a stone weighing hundreds of pounds as far as they can.
Festival visitors also have plenty of food and drink to explore, whether it’s turkey legs, fish and chips, haggis, Scotch eggs, shortbread or traditional fair food. Alcoholic beverages are available to all available for guests ages 21 and older.
The genealogical tent provides a place for people of Scottish descent to explore their ancestry and a place for all to learn more about history. This area has people traveling from New England and the western United States to represent their clans.
Patrick Connolly / Orlando Sentinel
The honor guard carries in the colors during the 43rd annual Central Florida Scottish Highland Games at Central Winds Park in Winter Springs. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Now approaching the start of its fifth decade, this event has grown with Central Florida over the years, now attracting an estimated 20,000-30,000 guests throughout the weekend. Stewart remembers his first experiences with the games when he was a child.
At that time, the festival was held at the Central Florida Fairgrounds, which Stewart remembers passing while he and his father drove past.
“I was thinking, ‘What is this? There are guys throwing telephone poles and pipes,’” he said. “I looked at my dad, and without even a word being exchanged between us, I motioned that we should probably go to this event.”
Patrick Connolly / Orlando Sentinel
An athlete participates in the caber toss during the 43rd annual Central Florida Scottish Highland Games at Central Winds Park in Winter Springs. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
As people from Central Florida and beyond gather to honor the traditions and romance of Scotland, Stewart hopes the event can provide entertainment and culture for all who attend.
“We just want to provide that heroic inspiration for others and the many thousands of people who have come through our games over the years,” he said.
Find me @PConnPie on Instagram or send me an email: pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com. Stay up to date with our latest travel, arts and events coverage by subscribing to our newsletters at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters.
If you go
The 48th Central Florida Scottish Highland Games are open 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Jan. 17 and 8:45 a.m.-5 p.m. Jan. 18 at 1000 Central Winds Drive in Winter Springs. Online advance tickets cost $30 per adult for Saturday or $25 per adult for Sunday (before fees). Tickets are available at the gate. Combination tickets are available for both days. Discounts are available for children ages 12-17 and ages 6-11; children under 6 are free. Parking is available on-site or at two off-site satellite lots with a free shuttle. Pets are not allowed, only trained service dogs on a leash. For more information, visit flascot.com.