A Cèilidh in its basic form is a social gathering in Scotland or Ireland. The original Cèilidh involved dancing, storytelling, etc., however the modern Cèilidh can host a variety of entertainment activities.
The Scotland County Highland Games Cèilidh Tent features the very best in traditional Scottish music and song and offers intimate opportunities to hear and learn about the traditions of the sometimes less well-known Scottish musical traditions of the Fiddle, the Harp (Scottish clarsach), and the Gaelic Language. Come learn about the language of the Scottish Highlands (as well as the language used by Scots here in North Carolina!) Failte (y’all come)!
SYR
We are happy to welcome for the first time at the Scotland County Highland Games the Columbia, SC based Celtic band SYR.
SYR (pronounced “sire”) draws inspiration from Celtic history, stories, myths, and poems to craft powerful songs with ancient themes that still resonate today. Blending traditional folk sounds with a harder musical edge, the band celebrates the rich heritage of the Celtic world in their own unique style. SYR’s reputation for a high-energy performance has made them a welcome addition to Celtic & Renaissance Festivals and other events across the US and internationally.
Kyle MacCallum, the band's lead singer, was inspired to create a Celtic band after watching the Hobbit in The Lord of the Rings. The name SYR originates from a poem MacCallum read in his youth. The band initially played death metal before shifting to Celtic music, initially covering Irish traditional music.] MacCallum has said, "My mom is a Celtic singer, and we’ve always been into that part of our heritage, so it made sense to move our music in that direction."
After a few years, SYR started to create original music, inspired by Celtic history and mythology. SYR has released two albums, the self-titled SYR (2015) and The Winter King (2017). They also released a single, "Legacy", on April 4, 2020. The band's current members are siblings Kyle (lead vocals, guitar) and Laurel MacCallum (vocals, Percussion instrument), Kelly Vance (Bass guitar), Luis Valverde (Drum), Ben Campbell (guitar) and Worth Lewallen (violin).
GLENCOE
From the Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, North Carolina comes a new American Scottish supergroup: GLENCOE. Adopting the name of both a historic village in Scotland and an early settlement near Asheville (now part of Pisgah National Forest), Glencoe honors the Scottish connection with the group’s mountain home.
Piper ROSALIND BUDA plays the Scottish smallpipes, Border pipes, whistle, and the mighty Great Highland Bagpipes with the same power and authority with which she performs in her other life as a master classical bassoonist.
Four-time National Scottish Harp Champion SUE RICHARDS has won multiple Wammie Awards, including Album of the Year, from the Washington Area Music Association for her solo recordings, and a Grammy nomination as a member of Ensemble Galilei.
Guitarist/citternist ROBIN BULLOCK, a longtime touring sideman with Grammy-winning folk legends Tom Paxton and Janis Ian, is a recipient of the Association for Independent Music’s Indie Award with the trio Helicon. All three are also prolific composers, creating new music that blends seamlessly into Scottish tradition.
From the first note they strike, Glencoe makes clear their mastery of Scottish tradition and their sheer joy at bringing it to life together. A Glencoe performance is an irresistible and unforgettable experience for all lovers of Celtic music.
Click Schedule of Events to view event times.
