We are pleased to showcase our May 4, 2024 Program!
VIEW OUR 2022-2024 PROGRAMS
Immerse yourself in the ultimate Highland adventure at the Savannah Scottish Games! Savannah has a rich history going back 47 years (and counting) of hosting the Highland Games which have been a traditional part of Scotland’s culture for hundreds of years. Their modern-day popularity is owed to the Victorians, when they were formally reintroduced as part of the revival of Tartan and Highland Culture encouraged by Sir Walter Scott.
The roots of Highland games date back to the 11th century when King Malcolm III called a foot race to the summit of Craig Choinnich to find the fastest runner in the land to become his personal courier.
The games then evolved to include events that tested not only muscles and speed of the strongest clan members, but also creative dance and music skills to keep kings, queens, and clan chiefs entertained.
Get set for a spectacular celebration of Scottish history & action!
On February 12, 1733 James Oglethorpe landed the first settlers at what was to become Georgia’s first city (and later the first state capital), Savannah.
The Irish began arriving in Savannah on some of the first ships to transport settlers to the new colony in 1734, and at least nine of the first Georgia colonists to be granted land were Irish.
A year later (October 1735) a band of Highland Scots, recruited from the vicinity of Inverness, Scotland sailed to Georgia. On the 19th of January, 1736 after traveling down the inland waterway by boat, the Highlanders landed on the site of Fort King George. There the Scots established the settlement they called Darien, with 177 people in this hardy band of Scots, including women and children.
Two years later St Andrew’s Society in Savannah was founded (1737) closely followed by Bethesda in 1740 by Rev. George Whitefield. Bethesda was visited by many of the country’s founding fathers, and found one of its earliest supporters in Benjamin Franklin.
From the inaugural Savannah Scottish Games in 1976 at Savannah Country Day School we moved to historic Fort Jackson on the banks of the majestic Savannah River (1978-2003) and JF Gregory Park in Richmond Hill (2004-2005). After the 2005 Games, we stumbled on Bethesda and we have been here ever since. It is one of the most beautiful venues of any Scottish Games and Celtic Festivals in America.
SSG will continue to add past programs!
Below please enjoy our 2022 and 2023 Savannah Scottish Games Programs:
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