Contributed by Jeni McDaniel
The sound of the pipes, the thunder of the caber, and the roar of the crowd will once again echo across the Mat-Su Valley as the Alaska Scottish Highland Games return to the Alaska State Fairgrounds on Saturday and Sunday, June 28 and 29. This year’s Games are set to be the largest in their 43-year history, promising a weekend of Scottish heritage, world-class athletics, music, food, and fun for all ages.
This year’s festivities include a special visit from Honorary Chieftain Graham McTavish, the celebrated Scottish actor known for his roles in Outlander, The Hobbit, and Men in Kilts. McTavish will officially open the Games on Saturday morning and host a series of exclusive whisky tastings featuring his own label, McTavish Spirits. Fans will have the rare opportunity to share a dram, hear stories from his career, and meet one of Scotland’s most recognizable cultural
ambassadors.
The Games will feature over 250 athletes competing in traditional events like Heavy Athletics, the Kilted Mile, Tug-O-War, and the formidable Denali Stones Challenge. New this year is an Open Format competition for the Heavy Events, eliminating invitations and opening the field to anyone ready to test their strength. With a $10,000 prize purse, plus bonuses for records and standout performances, the field is stacked with some of the strongest competitors in
North America.
The entertainment lineup includes Albannach with their tribal drums and wild Scottish energy, House of Hamill with their fiddle-fueled folk rock, and The Harp Twins featuring The Volfgang Twins with a mix of Celtic metal and mythic performance. Expect music echoing across the fairgrounds all weekend long.
Beyond the athletics, attendees can explore one of the largest Celtic marketplaces in the country, with over 175 vendors and food trucks offering everything from kilts to shortbread, swords to scones. Public contests open to all include the Midnight Sun Spurtle Challenge (a porridge cook-off), the Shortbread Baking Competition, the Haggis Eating Contest, the Beards, Braids & Mustache Contest, and the Tall Tales Competition celebrating exaggerated storytelling.
The Alaska Scottish Highland Games are a celebration for the entire family. Children can participate in their own Highland challenges and cultural activities—from tossing mini cabers to dancing to the pipes.
For those 21 and over, the Games also offer ticketed whisky and mead tastings, featuring McTavish Spirits, Glendronach, Benriach, Glenglassaugh, and Fairbanks’ own Beard Brothers Meadery. Tasting sessions sell out quickly, so advance booking is strongly encouraged.
The Games are powered by over 200 volunteers each year. Those who give just three hours of their time receive a two-day admission ticket and a Games volunteer shirt—a small token of appreciation for being part of something much bigger.
Advance discounted tickets are available now at alaskanscottish.org and in person at Bosco’s (Anchorage), The Book Shelf (Eagle River), Fireside Books (Palmer), and Black Birch Books (Wasilla).
Whether you’re of Scottish descent or simply curious about the culture, the 2025 Alaska Scottish Highland Games offer a weekend of unforgettable memories, community connection, and Highland heart. See you at the Games! www.alaskascottish.org