Concerts, grove gatherings and more highlights music at the Highland Games

BY LUKE BARBER

The serene resonance of Scottish bagpipes and ancient rhythms will once again fill the crisp summer air of MacRae Meadows for the 2023 Grandfather Mountain Highland Games. As is the case with past events, the Games feature a plethora of talented musical acts bringing authentic Scottish and Gaelic culture to the High Country.

Headlining Saturday evening’s Celtic Rock Concert — the game’s pinnacle of musical entertainment — are several musical acts with ties to the Scottish highlands, western North Carolina and beyond. The Saturday Night Celtic Jam begins at 6:30 p.m., with the final act taking the stage at 9:45 p.m.

Many of the musical performers have become staples of the Games, such as Ed Miller and Chambless and Muse while newer faces will grace the stage at MacRae Meadows.

Ed Miller and Chambless and Muse have become familiar faces of the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games. The trio combines the singing talents of Ed Miller, who hails from Edinburg and has been described as “one of Scotland’s best singing exports,” with the musical prowess of Jil Chambless and Scooter Muse. The duo, who are based out of Alabama, have been performing the timeless music of Scotland and Ireland for the past 25 years.

The Sean Heely Celtic Band is led by US National Scottish Fiddle champion and singer Sean Heely and acclaimed multi-instrumentalist and All-Ireland singing champion Kevin Elam. The six-piece outfit brings together many different instruments to perform fiery dance tunes and ancient melodies that are sure to get the crowd dancing their best Scottish jig.

Gathering of Trad will close out the evening’s festivities, while early arrivals to Saturday Night’s Celtic Jam will have the pleasure of witnessing Banner Elk’s own Hannah Seng and Will MacMorran opening up the show.

Friday night will also host a trio of talented musical performers with North of Argyll opening the show, while Celtic rock group

Albannach, who have become famous for attracting crowds from coast to coast, will headline Friday night’s festivities. The show begins at 6:30 p.m., with Albannach taking the stage at 9:15 p.m.

Fortunately, the fun does not stop with Saturday Night’s Celtic Jam and the Friday Night Rock Concert, as attendees to the Highland Games will be able to witness musical acts for the majority of the weekend. The games hosts three different stages – Groves I, Groves II and the Alex Beaton Stage – where musical acts will be performing from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Festival goers will be able to see the aforementioned acts, in addition to Strathpan, Mike Ogletree, Tune Shepherds, Brothers McLeod, Colin Shoemaker and the Reel Sisters.

Furthermore, the Games’ pipe competition will be happening throughout the weekend, as pipers come from afar to test their skill and prowess in historic Scottish musical tradition. The pipe competitions will occur predominantly at the Alex Beaton stage.

Numerous pipe and drum bands will grace the games, including the host band Grandfather Mountain Highlanders, Blue Ridge Brass, Pipes and Drums, the North Carolina State University Pipes and Drums and others.