“A pritty face suits the dish-cloot”
Translation: It doesn’t matter what you wear, come as you are.
This is one of the best Scottish festivals in the country and Payson City Utah's largest annual event. July 9–10, 2021: Payson Scottish Festival.
Food, entertainment, Celtic music, Scottish dancing, and competitive games make for a jam-packed few days of entertainment and family fun.
Strongman and Highland Games athletes battle it out at a high level of skill. (see website for more details.)
CLANS
The word comes from the Gaelic word ‘clann’ or ‘children’ and it means kinship.
Clans provide a sense of identity among Scottish people and connect them to their ancestry. Most are associated with their own tartan pattern, usually dating from the 19th century. The tartan is worn on special occasions.
At the Payson Scottish Festivals, a variety of clans come together to celebrate their roots. You may discover new friends and old family in your Scottish roots.
BAGPIPING
The Payson Scottish Festival includes a massed band performance at opening and closing ceremonies Saturday.
Both Solo and Band events are included in the competition. See the schedule for specific times and details.
Piping Events: (solo)
Piobaireachd means pipe playing. It describes the classical music of the Great Highland Bagpipe. It’s also called ‘ceòl mór’ or the ’big music’.
Marches, Strathspey/Reel, Jigs, ‘ceòl beag’ — the little music.
Practice Chanter
It’s the part of the bagpipe that creates the song. It’s a long, thin piece of wood or plastic with a small-diameter hole bored lengthwise through the centre and it looks like a recorder.
Drumming Events: (solo)
Beginning with Snare drumming and continuing with Tenor and Bass, this event is technical as the players perform.
Slam tap, single drag tap, and the use of dynamics are only a few of the skills assessed.
Here’s a great explanation of the differences between several types of strokes in Scottish drumming.
Band Events:
Bands are organized in Grades, with the highest Grade being the most skilled group. Participating in a band will teach you the basics of playing the bagpipes in a group. As you gain greater technical skills, you progress to higher levels where you learn how to compete with a pipe band.
This includes marching, following commands from a drum major or pipe major, and other skills like striking in and cutting off together with the band.
HIGHLAND DANCE
Another competition that is very popular with participants and audiences is the Highland Dances.
Participants compete in various different dances, including The Sword Dance as well as the Highland Fling, Scottish Lilt, Sean Triubhas, Flora McDonald’s Fancy, Irish Jig (Scottish Version), and the Hornpipe.
Each competitor is judged for their technique, timing, and deportment during the dances.
Background music in this video is by The Fire, the featured band for the Festival.
BANDSTAND
The Fire
This band is a regular to the festival and returns as the featured music group this year.
The band members are: Rebecca Lomnicky, David Brewer & Adam Hendey
They perform captivating Scottish music which connects the fiddle and bagpipe music of Scotland. It’s heartfelt and an exciting sound.
Friday Bandstand
7:00 — An Dragan Ceilteach
6:00 — The Fire
Saturday Bandstand
10:00 — Harp Irish Dance
11:00 — The Fire
12:00 — Opening Ceremonies
1:00 — Black Watch Irish Dancers
2:00 — The Fire
3:00 — The Unmentionables
4:00 — The Fire
ATHLETICS
July 9–10, 2021
See the website for details of Strongman and Highland Game events to be held during the festival.
ADMISSION IS FREE!
July 9–10, 2021
Friday 5:00 PM — 9:30 PM. Saturday 9 AM — 7:00 PM.
Payson Memorial Park
300 S Main St, Payson, UT 84651
Parking mostly on street.
Sources: Utah Heavy Athletics, Payson Scottish Festival,