On Saturday, Oct. 4, the redwoods of Ben Lomond will ring with the sound of bagpipes as the community comes together for the town’s first-ever Scottish Day Festival.
Hosted by the Ben Lomond Village Alliance (BLVA), this free event celebrates the town’s Scottish roots with an afternoon of music, dance, falconry, family activities and of course—shortbread.
Ben Lomond’s connection to Scotland stretches back more than a century, when Scottish immigrant John Burns named the nearby mountain “Ben Lomond” after a peak in his homeland. Today, the spirit of that heritage lives on, and the BLVA is honoring it with a festival designed to bring friends, neighbors and visitors together in a lively, family-friendly way.
The festival, taking place from 1-5pm at Ben Lomond County Park on Mill Street, will feature: the raising of the Scottish Flag with harpists and bagpipes at 1pm; a Shortbread Contest and Tasting from 1-3:30pm with awards at 4:30pm; a Falconry Demonstration by the Three Falconeers at 1:30pm; Celtic Music with Jay Salter and the Celtic Circle Band at 2pm; Cèilidh Community Dance with Haggis and Avocado at 3pm; and Highland Dancing with the San Jose School of Highland Dancing at 4:30pm.
In addition to live entertainment, guests can enjoy a children’s craft area, a silent auction featuring getaways and local treasures, and a variety of food and drink for sale. Admission is free, and all proceeds benefit the BLVA’s mission to enhance village infrastructure, preserve local history, and foster a thriving community.
For more information or to RSVP, visit benlomondvillage.org/events.
