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Highland games, bagpipes, and Celtic music at Rural Hill
Loch Norman Highland Games returns to Rural Hill with bagpipes, Highland dancing, heavy athletics, Celtic music, and vendor villages—classic springtime fun near the lake.
Event details
Bagpipes echo across Historic Rural Hill one spring weekend each year when the Loch Norman Highland Games transform 265 acres into a Scottish celebration complete with caber tossing, hammer throws, and Highland dancing competitions. This two-day festival (typically the third weekend in April) draws 15,000–20,000 visitors who come for the athletics, stay for the live Celtic bands, and leave with armfuls of imported Scottish goods from vendor tents selling everything from clan tartans to handmade jewelry.
Gates open at 8:00 AM both Saturday and Sunday, with heavy athletics competitions starting at 9:00 AM and continuing throughout the day. Admission runs $15–20 for adults, with kids under 12 free, and weekend passes offer the best value for serious festival-goers. Parking is free but requires a 5–10 minute walk from the gravel lots to the main grounds, so wear comfortable shoes and skip the heels. April weather near Lake Norman can swing from 65 to 80 degrees, so dress in layers and bring sun protection for the open field areas where most events happen. Food vendors serve meat pies, fish and chips, and Scottish salmon, with prices averaging $10–15 per meal.
Book a Lake Norman rental through Lake.com and balance Highland culture with lake life. Mornings on the water give you swimming, fishing, or pontoon boat cruising before you head to Rural Hill for afternoon competitions and evening concerts. Many Cornelius and Huntersville properties sit 15–20 minutes from the festival grounds while keeping you right on the shoreline, perfect for families who want to pack both Scottish games and lake activities into one memorable spring weekend.
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