In addition to the thrilling performances on the main stage, Glasgow Lands offers a vibrant array of entertainment throughout the festival grounds. From the stirring sounds of harp circles and the spectacle of pipe and drum bands to interactive experiences like the Drum Major competition and the whimsical delights of the Wee Folk Pavilion, there’s something to enchant every visitor. Whether you’re drawn to the rhythm of Celtic music, the skill of Highland athletes, or the charm of traditional crafts and children’s activities, the festival is alive with discovery at every turn.
Activities Include:
- Historic Highlanders – Reenactments
- Pipe Band Competition
- Individual Pipe/Drum Competition
- Highland Dance Competition
- Highland Athletic Games
- Pioneer Valley Harper’s Guild
- Genealogist
weavers guild of springfield
Children’s Activities
From sack races and face painting to crafts, games, and storytelling in the Wee Folk Pavilion, there’s no shortage of fun for the little ones. With a lively, family-friendly atmosphere, the festival creates lasting memories for kids while connecting them to Scottish culture in playful and meaningful ways. Activities include: Water Spray Park, Train Rides (Park fee applies), Weaving with Spinners and Weaver’s Guild of Springfield (Located in the Mini Shelter)
Children’s Highland Games: 1:30 – 3:30 (next to the Water Spray Park)
Rope Pull • Face Painting • Caber Toss • Haggis Toss • Sack Race
weavers guild of springfield
Spinners & Weavers
The Weavers Guild of Springfield was established in the fall of 1952 and currently meets from September through May on the first Saturday of these months at the East Longmeadow Public Library. The Guild has supported the Scottish Festival from its inception by demonstrating weaving and spinning. The Guild also demonstrated weaving at Craft Adventure and the Big E, and previously at Laughing Brook and Longmeadow Days. Our members enjoy demonstrating the techniques of weaving to all but especially to children. At all demonstrations looms are available for children of all ages to try. The Guild will be demonstrating weaving & spinning all day at the Festival from 9 am to 5 pm. Please visit them in playground area at Look Park and learn about their fascinating craft.
traditional scottish breeds
Animal Events and Attractions
Get ready to meet some of Scotland’s most iconic and lovable creatures at the Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival! From the majestic Highland cattle to the charming Shetland sheep and lively border collies, our animal exhibits bring the spirit of the Highlands to life. Perfect for visitors of all ages, this is your chance to get up close with traditional Scottish breeds and learn about their unique roles in history and culture.
Herding Demonstration: 10:30am & 1:30pm
Animals you might see:
DOGS: Golden Retriever • Australian Terrier • Scottish Terrier • Border Terrier • Cairn Terrier • Skye Terrier • West Highland Terrier • Rough Collie • Smooth Collie • Dandie Dinmont • Shetland Sheepdog • Scottish Deerhound • Gordon Setter • Bearded Collie • Wheaton Coloured Scotie • Western Massachusetts Shetland Sheepdog Club
SHEEP: Blackface • Chevoit • Jacob • Shetland
CATTLE: Ayshire • Belted Galloway • Black Angus • Highland
HORSES & PONIES: Clydesdale Horse • Shetland Pony
Music across from Information Booth
Young Folk is a Celtic focused acoustic duo made up of brothers Tom and Andrew. Despite currently
residing on different sides of the Mississippi, St. Louis, MO and Peterborough, NH, the pair still find time to meet up and bring their love of performing to pubs, breweries, parades, and special events. They’re high energy and engaging performances have garnered the attention and delight of audiences of all ages.
Young Folk
What else can you do at the festival?
- Eat traditional Scottish fare – bridies, meat pies & other yummy treats (We also offer traditional American fare for those not so adventurous)
- Eat HAGGIS – for the very adventurous!!!!!
- Watch the Border Collies herding sheep
- Listen to the bagpipes! (‘Tis hard to miss ’em at our Festival!)
- Watch the lads and lassies in our Highland Dance Competition
- Play a round of golf at the children’s activities
- Sit a spell and listen to the Pioneer Valley Harper’s Guild play (heavenly!)
- Watch (or compete in) the bonnie knees contest (and laugh heartily!)
- Visit with our Genealogist (and take some “how-to” pamphlets home with you)
- Sit a while & enjoy the entertainment on our main stage
- Get your face painted (sorry, kids only)
- Watch huge men and women in skirts toss a telephone pole (caber) and more
- Make friends with the dogs in our animal area (their owners, too)
- Learn how to weave on a loom
- Take a genealogy class
- Watch a pipe band competition
- See our huge, massed pipe & drum bands (opening & closing ceremonies)
- Buy a treasure or trinket from our Scottish (or other) vendors
- Find your Scottish family name and heritage ‘neath one of the clan tents
- Watch the Highland Athletic competition
- Stay a while at our Celtic Pub and sample the Craft Beer
- Collect clan stamps in your passport (sorry, only children are eligible for prizes)
- Hear the Clans’ battle cries at Opening Ceremonies
- Treat yourself to a Kilt and Tam O’Shanter (perhaps even some Ghillie Brogues)
- Enjoy beautiful Look Park
- Cool down in the spray park
- Sing Scottish ballads with the Pioneer Valley Harper’s Guild.
- But wait, there’s more!! Come to the Festival and find out what ….
