Check back often for updated information!
Summer Picnic: Sunday, July 28, 2024 (12:00 noon – 4:00 PM)
Lower Allen Township Park, 4075 Lisburn Rd., Mechanicsburg, PA (Upper Pavilion, which is covered)
You should have received an email with all this info and more!
The picnic is a pot-luck picnic with the Scottish Society providing a main course and beverages. If you are able to bring a dish to share, we ask that you bring something in the following categories based on the first letter of your last name. (Do not feel constrained if you have something you really want to share.)
A-H Salads and vegetable sides
I-Q Casseroles or other sides
R-Z Desserts
New for us this year will be entertainment at the picnic. The Regimental Pipes and Drums (including Society member Gus Person) will be performing. If you have not seen them, the members provide music as well as education about their group. As this is an outdoor event in a public park, we may draw some attention to the Society by having the bagpipers and drummers performing.
If possible, please let me know if you plan to attend the picnic and how many people will be in your party. This information helps in planning for the main course and beverages.
Covenanter Scottish Festival: Saturday, September 7, 2024 (9:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
On the grounds of the Octorara Covenanter Presbyterian Church, 1199 Valley Road, Quarryville, PA
The church dates from 1754 and is the oldest covenanter church in north America. To learn more about the church, please go to the website, covenanterscottishfestival.com.
The Scottish Society will have its tent at the festival to again share our story. The day will include musical entertainment, highland athletic games, piping competition, and food.
Fort Hunter Day: Sunday, September 15, 2024 (10AM – 4:00 PM)
Fort Hunter Mansion and Park, 5300 N Front St, Harrisburg, PA
Now officially known as Ft. Hunter Mansion, the home was originally the Archibald McAllister House. The original structure (cabin) was built in 1787 with the addition that made it a mansion built in 1814. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. With the McAllister family which built the mansion being of Scottish descent, our Scottish Society was approached to present information about Scottish tartans during Ft. Hunter Day. We will have a contingent of members present to discuss tartans with attendees.
Shamrocks & Shenanigans at the Pennsylvania Ren Faire
September 21 & 22, 2024 • Gates Open at 11AM
Strap on your kilt, grab your shillelagh, and hold on to your potatoes—the Celtic nations have come to revel in Mount Hope! Enjoy a good stout, a scotch egg, and show off your calves all weekend long. Visit the Scottish Society in the Clan Tent area!
Kirkin ‘O Tartan: Sunday, October 13, 2024 (10:00 AM church service)
All Saints Episcopal Church, 310 Elm Ave, Hershey, PA
Our traditional Kirkin ‘O Tartan service will be held in Hershey this year. As is our practice, we move the Kirkin service to various area churches to broaden the reach for why we hold the Kirkin. During this church service, we recognize the time in history when the wearing of the tartan and the playing of the bagpipes were banned. Anyone in attendance may present a tartan cloth to have it blessed.
St. Andrews Dinner and Meeting: Tuesday, November 12, 2024 (6:00 -9:00 PM)
Mechanicsburg Presbyterian Church, 300 E. Simpson Street, Mechanicsburg, PA
Our annual St. Andrews dinner will once again be held at the Mechanicsburg Presbyterian Church. The evening will include a pot-luck dinner and entertainment/education component which will be determined at a later date.
Burns Night, Saturday, January 25, 2025 (5:00 – 9:00 PM)
Penn Harris Hotel, 1150 Camp Hill Bypass, Camp Hill, PA
The Scottish Society of Central Pennsylvania will hold its 69th Burns Night celebrating the 266th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns on the last Saturday in January 2025. Since Burns was born on January 25, 1759, this year we will actually be celebrating on the anniversary of his birth. This is our biggest event of the year and a night filled with ceremony and toasts, musical entertainment including bagpiping, good food including haggis, and an opportunity to wear a kilt and/or a sash. It is also a perfect time to introduce someone to why we celebrate being Scottish and why Robert Burns is important. Our musical entertainment at this Burns Night will be presented by Charlie Zahm and Tad Marks.
Want to know what goes on at a Burns Night Supper?
Please click on the link of our Burns Night Supper that highlights our 2023 event celebrating Robert Burns. This an opportunity for those who have never attended one to see what they can expect to experience at Burns Night 2024. Recording provided by USA Kilts
Visit the website again for future events.
