Virginia Scottish Games

Virginia Scottish Games at Great Meadow

Grown adults throwing telephone poles is a strong pitch for a six-year-old, and that's more or less what the heavy athletics are. The Virginia Scottish Games take over Great Meadow in The Plains for two days of Labor Day weekend: caber toss, stone put, hammer throw, and the East Coast amateur championships on Sunday, all on an open field you can walk right up to.

There's more around it than you'd expect. Border collies working sheep, a field of Scottish dog breeds, clan tents where you can chase down a family name, Highland dancing, fiddling, and pipe bands going near-continuously. Kids' games run through the weekend. Food is meat pies, bridies, fish and chips and Scotch eggs, with normal festival backup for the kid who won't touch any of it. This is the 52nd year.

Parent Tips 💡

• ✓Bring your own shade: Great Meadow is an open polo field with essentially none. Early September in Virginia is still summer. A pop-up tent or big umbrellas, hats, and more water than feels reasonable.
• ✓Camp chairs or a blanket: Seating is limited and you'll want a home base near the athletics field to rotate back to.
• ✓Anchor the day at the athletics: Throws happen every few minutes, you can get close, and it needs zero explanation. It's the easiest thing to hold a young kid's attention.
• ✓Grab a program at the gate: Sheepherding demos and the dog exhibits run on a schedule. Knowing when they are is the difference between catching them and hearing about them.
• ✓Ear protection for the little ones: Massed pipe bands at close range are genuinely loud. Muffs for babies and toddlers.
• ✓Buy tickets in advance: Gate prices run higher and the Saturday morning entry line is slow. Tickets are on the Games site.
• ✓Kirkin' of the Tartan is Sunday morning: A quiet ceremony if you want a break from the field noise, and a decent window to eat before the afternoon crowds.