Saint Andrew Society of Carolina      

2026  Calendar of SASC Activities and
Scottish Heritage Festivals/Celebrations
Revised 02/23/26

 
  Members Please Note: Saint Andrew Society Meetings and Socials are Highlighted in RED!

Important! Some of the events below are indicated by the month they are normally held or by the initials TBD (To Be Determined). When information of these events is available, their dates will be posted as soon as possible.
   
TBD "First Footin' " at Rural Hill
  Everyone invited. Come and enjoy beginning the New Year with an old  Scottish tradition and learn about Rural Hill.
  What is a First Footin' ???
 
    Following the Protestant Reformation in Scotland in the latter half of the sixteenth century, it was considered irreverent to celebrate dates of religious importance. Thus, merriment and celebrations were reserved for Hogmanay (pronounced Hog-muh-nay,) this important part of the year combined both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day with a celebration of good will and good fortune. The use of the term “first footin’,” according to legend, is as follows:

Fortune would smile on the household if the first person to set foot in the doorway on the New Year was a young man; presumably tall, handsome, healthy, dark haired, dark eyed, and bearing gifts (such as a lump of coal for the fire.) Today it does no harm if the first footer carries a bottle of his best and favorite beverage to offer his host a drink and a toast, stating “Lang may your lum reek.” This traditional Scottish salutation wishes its recipient long life and prosperity. It literally means “long may your chimney smoke.”

Several towns throughout the hillsides of Scotland continue an age old annual ritual of walking the town limits to restate or reclaim the boundaries of the township.

These traditions have been adopted as part of the Rural Hill Hogmanay (Scottish New Year) celebration, known simply as “First Footin’”. Traditionally, the fulfillments of Hogmanay’s rituals and folklore have assured good crops, good health, and good fortune in the coming year.
  Check out this event at http://www.ruralhill.net/FirstFootin.asp
 
   
Jan Burns Dinner, Rural Hill (3 course meal, Silent Auction, Presentation of the Haggis)
   
Jan 14 Business Meeting and Luncheon - Red Rocks Cafe  11:45 AM - 4223-8 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211 (Members Only)
   
  Social Committee Meeting
   
TBD Argentine Dinner, Rural Hill
   
Mar 20 Social 5:30 PM - Distillery Tour -Great Wagon Road Distilling, 610 Anderson Street, Charlotte, NC 28205
   
   
Apr National Tartan Day - a celebration of Scottish heritage on 6 April, the date on which the Declaration of Arbroath was signed in 1320.
      Wear something tartan to celebrate our Scottish heritage !
   
Apr 18-19 Rural Hill Scottish Festival and Loch Norman Highland Games   Arrive betwoon 10-11AM to see full complement of Pipes & Drums on field at Noon!
SASC will have a tent erected and will have bagpipes (Philip Diaz) playing !!!
      4431 Neck Road, Huntersville, NC 28078
      (704) 875-3113  
      http://www.ruralhillscottishfestivals.net/ 
   
April 22 Business Meeting 11:30 AM - Gourmand Market, APEX Southpark (next to Steak 48)  44425 Sharon Road S120, Charlotte, NC 28211
  Parking is free and lunch will be available to order.
   
May 14 Social Committee Meeting
   
May
Kirkin' o' the Tartans at Quail Hollow Presbyterian Church
  Gus Succop, the pastor of the Quail Hollow Presbyterian Church (and of the Fraser Clan) has advised that in May, they are having their annual Kirkin' of the Tartans service.
  The Session and he kindly extends to our membership their invitation to attend and requests that we please come in highland dress.
It would be good to have as many of our members as possible attend this service.
 
These websites:
may assist with some information about the Kirkin' of the Tartan Tradition. 
   
May Savannah Scottish Games
  Bethesda Home for Boys Campus
Savannah GA
[email protected]
   
May Bethabara Highland Games
  2147 Bethabara Rd.
Winston-Salem NC
(336) 924-8191
   
May Smoky Mountain Highland Games
  Maryville College
  Maryville TN
  (865) 267-7250
  http://www.smokymountaingames.org/
   
May The Greater Greenville (SC) Scottish Games and Highland Festival/Gallabrae Games/Scottish Country Dance Ball
   -are being held at Furman University.
Debra Smith-Jones and her family are conveners of these games and has invited us all to "Come on down!!".
Debra is a proud native of Hendersonville, NC and of the Clan Macpherson (http://www.clan-macpherson.org/us)
   
May 16 Society Social at Maurice and Janice McIntosh's Lake Home - begins at 3:00 PM. Casual attire.
  5021 Shady Meadow lane, Denver, NC 28037 (Click Here for Map of Location)
   
Jun Clover Scottish Games and Scotch-Irish Festival  
  Clover Memorial Stadium
  Clover SC
  (803) 222-3312
   
Jun Western NC Celtic Festival
   
Jun 13 Club Social Event - Location TBD - Mid-Year Formal - Invitation, location and RSVP to be sent two weeks prior to event
   
  Asheville Outdoor Center (new venue)
  Asheville NC
  (828) 280-3355
   
Jun Ohio Scottish Games
  Lorain County Fairgrounds
  Wellington OH
  (440) 942-6362
   
Jul Grandfather Mountain Highland Games
  MacRae Meadows
  Linville, NC
  (828) 733-1333
   http://www.ghhg.org/
   
Jul 15 Business Luncheon - July 17, 2022. Red Rocks Cafe or Gourmand Market  11:30 AM - 4223-8 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211 (Members Only) 704 364-0402
   
Aug 6 Social
   
Aug Social Committee Meeting
   
Sep
Charleston SC Scottish Games and Highland Gathering
 
Boone Hall Plantation
Mt. Pleasant SC
(843) 552-2563
   
Sep 19 Club Social - Old Mecklenburg Brewery  (OMB) -  4150 Yancey Road, Charlotte, NC 28217
   
Sep Ligonier Highland Games
  Idlewild Park, Ligonier PA
  (814) 931-4714
   
Oct 1 Social
   
Oct 14 Business Luncheon - Red Rocks Cafe or Gourmand Market -  11:45 AM - 4223-8 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211 (Members Only)
   
Oct Scotland County Highland Games
  John Blue Historical Complex
  Laurinburg NC
  (910) 224-1577
   
Oct Stone Mountain Highland Games
  Stone Mountain Park Meadow
  Stone Mountain, GA
  (770) 521-0228
  http://www.smhg.org/
   
Oct Central Virginia Celtic Festival and Highland Games
  Richmond Raceway Complex
  Richmond Virginia
  (804) 355-4943
  http://www.vacelticfestival.org/
   
Saturday
Nov 21		 Saint Andrew's Day Gala Dinner
Southminster  -  6 PM  -  Formal Scottish Dress
  8919 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28210
   
  Additional events will be added when schedules become available.

Past Activities
 

The St. Andrew Society of Carolina has supported the Scottish Highland Games at Grandfather Mountain, Loch Norman and Waxhaw.  Funds have been provided to encourage individual excellence in piping, Scottish Highland Dancing and children’s activities.  Funds have also been provided to the Scottish Book Collection at Queens University and to charities in memory of either members or their widows. 

Meetings, Socials and Saint Andrew Day Banquet
The Society holds business meetings in Charlotte, North Carolina, for members, several times a year.  Social gatherings are also held several times a year.  The principal activity is the celebration of Saint Andrew Day - November 30 - with a formal (full Scottish dress) banquet and speaker.
The actual date of the banquet will be adjusted annually as needed.  At this celebration and other social gatherings, members, spouses and guests are encouraged to wear kilts or tartans which indicate their particular attachment to a Scottish family.  The organization’s officers are President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.

Modified on Monday, February 23, 2026 06:55 PM