Halloween in Scotland by Ben Johnson Robert Burns, the famous Scottish poet, wrote about the myths, legends and traditions associated with Halloween in Scotland in his poem ‘Halloween’, written in 1785. Halloween in Scotland is all about the supernatural, witches, spirits and fire. The origins of Halloween can be traced back to the ancient Celtic […]

Multi-platinum international music sensation, CELTIC WOMAN returns with their brand new live CD and DVD: ‘Homecoming – Live From Ireland’.  Recorded live in Dublin, Ireland, in September 2017, Homecoming features singers Susan McFadden, Mairéad Carlin, Éabha McMahon and the group‘s new violinist, Tara McNeill. Since its debut, global musical sensation Celtic Woman’s concerts continue to […]

Once there was a young farmer who lived near the Scottish border.  He lived alone, for his parents had died long before, and he had no siblings.  But he had the farm, and a fine small farm it was.  He worked only part of the land, for he liked to work for himself and hired […]

Dear San Diego Scottish Highland Games, Thank you so much for your generous donation toward my travel expenses to perform in the 2017 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Scotland.  It was an extraordinary experience and you helped make that dream come true!  The band I was a member of in the Tattoo was the Royal […]

by Todd Wilkinson While the Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan service celebrates Scotland and Scottish heritage, it is a truly a Scottish-American custom. If one searches the Internet for information, stories abound of the Kirkin’s roots being in days of the Act of Proscription, when the wearing of the kilt was banned in the Highlands – […]

Upon that night, when fairies light On Cassilis Downans dance, Or over the lays, in splendid blaze, On sprightly horses prance; Or for Colean the route is taken, Beneath the moon’s pale beams; There, up the cove, to stray and rove, Among the rocks and streams To sport that night. Among the bonny winding banks, […]

Dogs figure prominently in tales from Scotland.  There are the sheepdogs (who are so entertaining at the San Diego Highland Games).  There are the ghost dogs which warn people of danger.  There are faithful dogs who bring joy to their families. But surely no dog is better known in Scottish lore than Greyfriars Bobby. John […]

The Italian highlanders who may have Scottish roots By Dany Mitzman Gurro, northern Italy 11 August 2017   Thousands of Italians emigrated to Scotland in the 20th Century, but it seems that 400 years earlier a group of Scots may have settled in a village in the Italian Alps. So local legend has it… And […]