Arkansas Scottish Festival

03/12/2026

SAVE THE DATE: the 46th Arkansas Scottish Festival will be held on the campus of Lyon College on October 23-25, 2026. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🌤️🎉

Registration links are coming soon, but for information please contact [email protected] or [email protected].

We can't wait to see you!

01/21/2026

A wee change of plans; the fun now comes a little later! Due to the forecast of inclement weather, Burns Night 2026 at Lyon College has been postponed to Saturday, Feb. 21, giving you a little extra time to plan your tartan, practice your dance steps, and get ready for the fun. (The event was originally set for Jan. 24.)

Same great traditions: Scottish food and drink, poetry, bagpipes, dancing, and plenty of revelry -- all in support of student scholarships.

Get your tickets now at lyon.edu/burnsnight.

Slàinte mhath!

01/06/2026

Join us at Lyon College on January 24 and celebrate Burns Night with us! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🍻 (Don't you need a midwinter Scottish fix? 🥰)

Don your tartan and enjoy bagpipes, Gaelic song, Patrick Regan, delicious food, and toasts, all honoring the great Rabbie Burns. And yes, there will be haggis. Tickets and tables available at

  Join us Saturday, January 24th for our traditional Burns Night and celebrate the immortal memory of Robert Burns!  Come and celebrate a night of great food, poetry, bagpipes, dancing, and toasts as we honor Scotland's national poet. Enjoy a truly Scottish evening of food, drink, an...

10/27/2025

Miss ScotsFest 2025 or want to relive the fun? Check out the photo albums using the links in the article.

10/23/2025

Thank you to the students in the Lyon College Pre-Vet and Animal Sciences Club for partnering with the Humane Society of Independence County for a fun ScotsFest puppy cuddles booth.

10/23/2025

Our very own Dana Bennett teamed up with her cousin Mandi Carreiro after ScotsFest for a special Scottish-inspired episode! 🎥📚 They’re reviewing “Women of the Dunes” and pairing it with a perfectly themed beverage on Dana’s podcast. 🍷🏴 Tune in, have a laugh, and share it with your fellow book (and Scotland!) lovers!

Family legends, tartan pride, and a cocktail with roots — this episode is personal. I sat down with my niece Mandi, who brought our Ogilvie clan pin and her...

10/22/2025

A massive shoutout (bagpipes optional 🎶) to photographer Calvin Farrow for capturing the magic of ScotsFest in all its tartan glory! From kilts to cabers, and every sheep dog and dancer in between — thanks for bringing the sights, sounds, and spirit of the Highlands to life. Watch for many more photos in the days to come! 😉 (Photos by Calvin Farrow)

10/21/2025

If you lost a cell phone at ScotsFest, please reach out to Marketing and Communications at [email protected] to identify and collect.

10/20/2025

What a weekend at Lyon College! We wrapped up ScotsFest in true Highland style — and yes, we’re still humming bagpipe tunes.

We're so proud of our roots with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), dating all the way back to 1872. Today’s grand finale featured our beloved Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans worship service, a heartwarming Club 50 celebration, and even some epic sheepdog demonstrations.

Thanks to Bryant Kwilecki and Region 8 News for the great coverage throughout the weekend.

Thanks to everyone who joined us in honoring our heritage, our faith, and our amazing Lyon community. Until next year!

The 45th annual ScotsFest concluded its three-day celebration Sunday at Lyon College and marked another year of honoring the institution’s Scottish heritage and Presbyterian traditions.

10/19/2025

It’s the Final Day of ScotsFest 2025!

Come wrap up an amazing weekend of Scottish spirit, tradition, and fun with us at Lyon College!

Here’s what’s on tap for this beautiful Sunday:

☕ 10:30 a.m. – Time for a mid-morning pick-me-up: enjoy tea and scones with friends and fest-goers (Entertainment Zone)

🙏 11 a.m. — Join us for the Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan Worship Service—a cherished Presbyterian tradition and a beautiful way to honor Scottish heritage 💙 (Entertainment Zone)

🎉 12 p.m. – Club 50 Celebration kicks off! Alumni, you won’t want to miss this golden gathering 🌟 (Edwards Commons, Maxfield Room)

🐑 1 p.m. — Don’t miss the Sheep Dog Demonstration! It’s both adorable and impressive 🐕‍🦺🐑 (Brown Chapel Front Lawn)

⚾ 1 p.m. — Batter up! Alumni Baseball Game at Fred Wann Field! ⚾

Grab your friends, and let’s send off ScotsFest 2025 in style! 🎶🎉

10/18/2025

What an incredible Saturday at ScotsFest 2025, the 45th Arkansas Scottish Festival and Lyon College Homecoming!

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who came out to celebrate with us — especially our parents, families, alumni, and guests who traveled from far and wide to be part of the fun. We’ve absolutely loved sharing this special day with all of you!

The Ceilidh and Feast will get underway at 6 p.m. TODAY in the Patterson Dining Hall of Edwards Commons! 🎶 You can still get tickets and join us INDOORS for a night of music, food, and Scottish cheer! Ticket link: arscottishfest.com

Some of our vendors are packing up a little early due to the weather, but — in true Scottish fashion — we expect the clouds to part by morning, and we’ll be ready to welcome everyone for more food and fun and for the Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan worship service at 11 a.m.

Thank you again to our Scottish clans, artisans, merchants, food vendors, and phenomenal volunteers for your flexibility and good humor. You truly make ScotsFest what it is!

Send a message to learn more

10/18/2025

🎉 It’s almost time, lads and lassies… the bagpipes are warming up and the Scottish clans are gathering!

The Opening Ceremony and Mass Pipe Band March & Scottish Clan Parade kicks off at NOON in Couch Garden, and you won’t want to miss this epic ScotsFest moment! 🥁🎶

Here’s what’s still in store for your Saturday afternoon at ScotsFest — and trust us, it’s packed tighter than a kilt on Thanksgiving:

12:30 p.m.
Kilties performance in Couch Garden

Dog show registration in Couch Garden

1-3 p.m.
Petting Zoo open (perfect for wee Highlanders!)

SGA Corn Hole Tournament in Scots Tailgate Field

🐕 2 p.m.
Dog Show — come see the goodest boys in their tartan best in Couch Garden!

🏈 2:30 p.m.
Lyon vs. Centenary College — cheer loud at the Homecoming Game at Bad Boy Mowers Stadium!

🕰️ Living History reenactments, Sheepdog Demos, Highland Dancers, and more pop up throughout the afternoon!

🎤 Entertainment Zone is bumpin’ until 5 p.m. with Mudmen and O’Donovan Celtic dancers on the Alex Beaton Stage!

Robert Lewis Campbell Scottish Clan Village and Stage is open throughout the day featuring Misty Posey, Patrick Regan, and the Blue Bonnets Highland Dance team!

🌧️ Rain? Pfft. We’re Scottish. ScotsFest rolls on, rain or shine — just check social media or the website for any updates.

🎯 Pro tip: Download the ScotsFest map so you don’t miss a thing. And yes — FREE admission. Map: https://shorturl.at/knpU8

🚗 Bonus: EV charging stations at the Crescent Lot near the Welcome Center!

See you at the pipes, the plaid, and the party! 🎉🥳