Your guide to the Capital District Scottish Games

Happy Monday, Capital Region! Today, we're taking you to the Altamont Fairgrounds for the Capital District Scottish Games—where the kilts are long and the only thing heavier than the logs is the accent!

Also, don’t miss the results of our reader poll on the Warehouse District.

—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan

Everything you need to know about the Capital District Scottish Games

Each year, as summer winds down, the sound of bagpipes rises in the hills of Altamont, signaling the return of one of the Capital Region’s most beloved traditions—the Capital District Scottish Games.

Going on 70 years, the popular Celtic celebration is packed with hearty heritage, gallant competitions and performances, with wildly delicious food and drink. Join the clan for a bonnie good time at the Altamont Fairgrounds this Saturday, Aug. 30, for one day only.

So what are the Scottish Games?

Rooted in the misty past of the Scottish Highlands, the games began as tests of strength, agility, and military readiness, some historians believe. Others trace their lineage to Highland hunting contests. 

The Capital Region’s own Scottish Games got started in 1939, hosted by Clan MacRae in Scotia. After a hiatus in the late 1960s, the Schenectady Pipe Band resurrected the Games in 1978, helping them grow into one of the most popular cultural festivals in the Northeast.

Let’s be real, what could be better than a day of stylish kilts, Celtic rock, tartan-themed fun and incredible athleticism? Did we mention the kilts? Highland highlights include:

🏋️ Feats of strength

You haven't lived until you've seen someone toss a tree. The caber toss—the centerpiece of the athletic events—involves flipping a 100–130 lb, 18–20 foot pole end-over-end in a perfect 12 o’clock landing. Alongside the caber are other classic challenges: the stone put, hammer throw, sheaf toss, and weight throwing.

👯 Highland dancing

Beginning at 10 am, tartan-clad dancers take the stage for the Highland Dance Competition. Accompanied by live bagpipers, dancers compete in four traditional forms: the graceful Highland Fling, Seann Triubhas, Scottish Lilt, and the footwork-heavy Sword Dance—an art form that’s as athletic as it is elegant.

🥁 Pipe & drum competitions

Solo piping and drumming begins as soon as the gates open, with full pipe band competitions kicking off at 1:30 p.m. You’ll hear everything from classic military marches to thunderous medleys, performed by top bands from across North America.

🍖 Eat and drink like a Celt for a day

Fuel up with savory sausage rolls, bridies (meat pies), and other traditional Scottish fare. Adults can upgrade their ticket online to include six beer tickets. New Scotland Spirits, one of the major sponsors of the Games, will be pouring their award-winning whiskies, vodka and gin.

🎶 Live music

Starting at 2:15 p.m., enjoy a full lineup of performers. Headliner Heron Valley, hailing from Scotland, brings a fiery mix of traditional and contemporary Celtic music. Also performing: Cécilia, Stewart's Glen, Friends Union, and local favorites Bards of the Glen.

🦉 Bring your wee lads & lassies

There’s a whole schedule of events just for the little ones, including a pint-size version of the Games, birds of prey demo, pony rides, petting zoo, and even a Scottish breed dog show.

Come for the Games, stay for the culture

More than 18,000 people attend the Games each year. Never fear, you don’t need Scottish ancestry to join the fun! Everyone is invited to join this celebration of Highland heritage, music, strength, and joy.

The deets: Capital District Scottish Games, one day only this Saturday, 8a-6p, at the Altamont Fairgrounds. Online tix are $20 for general admission; or $60 with six beer tickets. At the gate: $25; $12.50 for veterans and active military; free for children 12 and under. Check out the full schedule here.

Watch this video for a pumped up preview of the Scottish Games, featuring Jesse Sommer of New Scotland Spirits getting outfitted for a new kilt!

👨‍🎓 U.S. News & World Report has released its 2025 rankings of the best high schools in the Capital Region. Did yours make the list? [News10]

🚧 Speaking of high schools, Albany High School just completed the final phase of its $188.9 million (!) renovation, which added nearly 200,000 square feet of educational space. The new facilities includes a full-size barber and cosmetology salons, a commercial kitchen, and an automotive shop. [Times Union]

⛴️ Rensselaer is having a moment. In addition to the new $635 million Livingston Avenue Bridge, the town of 9,400 people is attracting millions of dollars in new development along its riverfront as well as inland. [Albany Business Review] You read it here first 👉️ check out our guide to the hidden gems of Rensselaer.

🎥 Acclaimed documentary filmmaker Ken Burns is coming to Albany’s Palace Theatre on Sept. 10 to unveil clips from his highly anticipated 12-hour doc on the Revolutionary War. Sadly, the event is sold out, but the film will air nationally for six consecutive nights, Nov. 16-21 from 8 to 10p, on PBS, including local station WMHT. [Times Union]

🍺 Our reader poll from our story on the rise of Albany’s Warehouse District found that 69% of you have visited the area recently. Your favorite spots include Nine Pin, Tanpopo Ramen, Copper Crow, Wolff’s Biergarten, and Fort Orange Brewing.

🌳 On the fate of the Central Warehouse, one reader said: “I don't want the Warehouse to be demo-ed. I want to continue its rewilding. I noticed a tree several years ago and now there’s a mini-forest. Keep it going!” Alas, it is too late to rewild this beast… demolition on the notorious eyesore started last week.

Ready for the quiet life? Imagine yourself in a peaceful neighborhood with well-kept sidewalks, tending to your home and garden. This move-in ready Colonial tempts you with the easy life: built-in bookshelves, hardwood floors, cozy evenings by the fireplace, and bright mornings in the breakfast nook. A three-season sunroom, formal dining room, and large finished lower level round out the space. Tucked upstairs under the eaves are 2 bedrooms and an office space. The bathrooms are recently updated, as are the roof, furnace and windows. Outside, the patio and gardens are beautifully planted with mature perennial beds and dotted with thoughtful sitting spots, including a stone bench and birdbath, perfect for enjoying a sunlit moment with avian visitors.

We’re betting on a pending sale within a week. The deets: 2 bd, 2 ba, 1500 sf. Asking: $263,500. Days on market: 2. See the full listing here.

Our full weekend roundup publishes every Thursday. Be sure to check your inboxes!

🖼️ Now on view: FOR LIBERATION AND FOR LIFE: The Legacy of Black Dimensions in Art at the Albany Institute of History & Art features over 90 artists, shining a bold spotlight on BDA and its powerful impact in the Capital Region.

🎡 The summer fair season is going, going… Celebrate the hottest season with a deep dive into this classic American ritual with all the sugar, animal performers, and quick thrills you can handle. This week, choose from: Fonda Fair, the Great Schaghticoke Fair, and the Columbia County Fair.

🎙️ Lou Barlow & Bobby Bare Jr. – Acoustic Song Swap on Tues at Ready Mix Design and Letterpress in Troy is an acoustic song swap featuring Lou Barlow (Dinosaur Jr.) and Bobby Bare Jr. (Guided by Voices). These legendary performers will be sharing stories and playing music for over two hours. Don’t sleep — tickets are going fast.

🎟️ Inside Out 2 as this beloved coming of age sequel with real EI (Emotional Intelligence) on Tues at the Palace Theatre for free. Bring a friend and name your feelings 💖

🖼️ On Wed, get to the Powers House Revel, an outdoor art extravaganza in Troy. Expect a full slate of live music, workshops and DJs into the evening.

🎬️ Picture Lock One screens Union on Wed in their über cool bank vault location. This award-winning documentary follows the Amazon Labor Union as they seek to unionize an Amazon warehouse in Staten Island. Rotten Tomatoes calls it “A necessary and stark reminder of the power of the people…and the importance of a Union.” Sweat on that, my friend.

💃 Also Wed, BadHeart Burlesque - Tropic Like it’s Hot at No Fun is your ticket to a 🔥 drag and burlesque party, hosted by the Capital Region’s own smokin’ hot and much beloved Tachycardia.

Wed gets tangy with the SCSD Farm to School program’s 2nd annual Pickle Party Roll up your sleeves to harvest student-grown dill and garlic, watch a live quick-pickle demo, and snag free brine and pickling spices to use on-site. Be sure to bring your own jar with a tight-fitting lid!

🍺 BINGO, Wed is jam-packed! If you’re looking for a cold beer and a rousing game of chance, check out Bingo Night at Wolf Hollow Brewing Company.

🎸 We’re looking ahead to Labor Day Weekend and the Mind Blown Festival, a one-day punk and metal showcase in Glens Fall. Be sure to catch Thursday’s issue for more events 😘

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