ScotsFest 2025: Lyon College Combines 45th Arkansas Scottish Festival with Homecoming for a Weekend of Heritage and Celebration
ScotsFest, the largest annual festival in Independence County, returns to the Lyon College campus in Batesville the weekend of Oct. 17-19. The campus will come alive with the sound of bagpipes, the intensity of Highland games and the energy of homecoming celebrations. The festival draws a wide audience, including those with Scottish roots and those simply looking to enjoy a weekend of music, food and community.
Rooted in Lyon College’s heritage, ScotsFest is a celebration of the Scottish traditions that have been integral to the college’s identity since its founding in 1872. The college was established by Presbyterian ministers, whose Scottish ancestry inspired a deep connection to Scotland’s culture and values. This heritage is proudly honored each year through the Arkansas Scottish Festival, which has grown into one of the most significant celebrations of Scottish culture in the Southern United States.
“Lyon College is proud to be part of Arkansas’ cultural heritage, and the Arkansas Scottish Festival is one of the ways we celebrate and share those deep-rooted traditions,” said Gina Garrett, interim vice president for advancement. “From music and dance to the strong sense of community it brings, the festival highlights the lasting connection between the college and the region we call home.”
The festival, which began in 1979 as a modest event on the college’s intramural field, has evolved into one of Arkansas’s preeminent cultural celebrations. This year’s festivities are expected to attract more than 6,000 attendees and generate significant economic impact for Batesville and Independence County.
“ScotsFest creates the perfect atmosphere to enjoy great food, music and dancing” said Cindy Barber, executive director of alumni relations. “It’s a chance to experience Scottish culture, while celebrating longstanding homecoming traditions. We’re excited to welcome everyone – alumni, friends, vendors and Scottish enthusiasts – to our beautiful Lyon College campus.”
The weekend’s events kick off Friday with open Lyon College classes, vendors and Scottish clan gatherings, a Scottish Heritage Program director’s reception and a free rocket-building workshop. The day concludes with the annual alumni awards celebration on campus and an all-alumni social at Polk & Paddle in downtown Batesville.
Saturday’s lineup includes classic ScotsFest traditions such as Highland heavy athletics, living history presentations by MacLachlan’s Jacobite Highlanders and Colonel Munro’s 37th Regiment of Foot, Scottish dancing, sheepdog demonstrations, pipe band performances, a British car show and a dog show. New this year, a petting zoo offers fun for all ages.
Visitors can explore their Scottish heritage in the clan village, where more than 20 Scottish clans will have displays and information about their unique histories and traditions. It’s a great opportunity to learn about the rich stories behind family names, connect with clan representatives and discover the deep roots that tie many to Scotland’s past.
Alongside these festivities, homecoming activities will include reunions for student organizations and athletic teams, tailgating and a pep rally. The excitement will peak with the homecoming football game, as the Scots take on Centenary College at 3:30 p.m. in Lyon College’s brand-new Bad Boy Mowers Stadium.
Entertainment throughout the weekend will include performances by internationally known Celtic rock bands Mudmen and Barleyjuice, Celtic songstress Misty Posey, entertainer and bagpipe educator Patrick Regan, and the award-winning Central High School Kiltie Drum and Bugle Corps of Springfield, Missouri.
New to ScotsFest this year is the addition of Canadian Celtic rockers Mudmen, known for their high-energy performances and unique stage presence. Originally discovered as “The Campbell Brothers,” the band signed with EMI Records in the late 1990s and adopted the name Mudmen. Since then, they’ve performed more than 3,000 shows across eight countries and released 11 studio albums. Their music has been featured in video games such as Xbox and PlayStation titles, on NBC’s “The Black Donnellys,” HBO’s “Shameless” and CBC’s “Hockey Night in Canada.” Known for their fun-loving spirit, the Mudmen bring an infectious energy that appeals to audiences young and old.
Returning this year, Barleyjuice is an American Celtic band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, formed in 1998 by pipers Kyf Brewer and Keith Swanson. What started as a side project for the two musicians, who met while playing with the Loch Rannoch Pipes and Drums of Pineville, Pennsylvania, quickly grew into a full-fledged group. Barleyjuice blends traditional Irish and Scottish songs with a lively pop-rock sound, earning a dedicated following with seven albums and popular tracks like “Weekend Irish,” “Get Your Irish On” and “Nancy Whiskey.” Their music has reached audiences worldwide through films, television and streaming platforms, making them a staple in the Celtic music scene.
Posey is a high soprano singer-songwriter whose music is inspired by nature, fantasy films and bygone eras. Her voice has been described as both “fairy-like” and “angelic,” effortlessly soaring into powerful high notes. Blending old-world Celtic, classical and contemporary styles, she has crafted a unique sound that defies genre boundaries. Nicknamed “Opera Girl,” she released her debut album in December 2018, featuring signature songs like “When the Wind Blows” and “Come Along to the Enchanted Forest” that showcase her Celtic classical crossover style. As she incorporated sean-nós and traditional songs into her performances, her schedule filled with Celtic festivals, earning her the title “Texas’ Celtic Woman.”
The Central High School Kiltie Drum and Bugle Corps is an all-female, Scottish-themed ensemble founded in 1926 by R. Ritchie Robertson. As the oldest all-female, uniformed Scottish drum and bugle corps in the United States, the Kilties are known for their spirited performances at sporting events, parades and memorial services. They will celebrate their 100th anniversary during the 2025-26 school year, marking a century of musical tradition and community pride.
“This year, we’re welcoming several fine pipe bands from around the country, and the opening ceremonies will feature cherished favorites like ‘Amazing Grace’ and ‘Scotland the Brave,’” said Jimmy Bell, director of the Scottish Heritage Program at Lyon College. “ScotsFest is a wonderful celebration that brings the spirit of Scottish culture alive here in Batesville, and it’s always a joy to see folks of all ages come together and enjoy it.”
No Scottish festival would be complete without authentic cuisine, and ScotsFest 2025 is no exception. Attendees can indulge in a delectable array of traditional foods, including savory meat pies, flaky Scottish pastries and other mouthwatering favorites that pay homage to the rich culinary traditions of Scotland.
The festival culminates on Sunday with a Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan worship service and the annual Club 50 luncheon, ensuring a weekend rich in both cultural immersion and college spirit.
“This year’s festival is shaping up to be one of our best yet,” said Kenton Adler, director of development for Scottish Heritage at Lyon College and host of the Celtic Crossroads podcast. “We’ll have all the traditions folks love. It’s a celebration for the whole community.”
General admission to the festival is free; however, some alumni and festival activities, including the Friday evening alumni awards banquet, the Saturday evening cèilidh feast and entertainment zone, are ticketed special events.
Proceeds from ScotsFest 2025 help support the Scottish Heritage Program at Lyon College, ensuring the continuation and growth of its cultural and educational initiatives. Funds raised also provide scholarships for Lyon College students.
“We welcome everyone to join in celebrating our Scottish roots and Lyon College’s strong community connections,” said Pam Palermo, senior director of conferences and events and festival director.
For a full schedule and more information, visit arscottishfest.com.
Cathy Drew is a lifelong resident of the region that she loves to promote. She was born in downtown Batesville in the late ’60s, located in one of the eight counties she now enjoys encouraging people to visit.
Drew became associated with the Ozark Gateway Region in 1990 while working at the ad agency (The Media Market Inc.). The agency handled marketing for the regional association, where she and her co-workers produced an annual tabloid publication. She began working as the Ozark Gateway Region director in June 2000.
After Drew became director, she took the region to the next level by helping the tourism organization create a new website and moved it from the old newspaper paper tabloid publication to a color magazine format. She helped open a visitor center for the Ozark Gateway, allowing visitors to pick up information from the entire state 24/7. Over the years, Drew has helped the organization meet new marketing goals, such as in- and out-of-state marketing, assuring that all 100,000 copies of their magazines are distributed each year.
In 2016, she assisted in creating the first Ozark Gateway Region Golf Classic. The tournament continues to grow each year, allowing the organization to expand its co-op program and helping each county have dedicated promotion. Drew stays busy at Ozark Gateway as the ad sales manager, magazine editor, day-to-day office operations, trade show representative, and magazine distribution representative, all while ensuring that the region is represented all over Arkansas and southern Missouri.
Drew was featured in several local and statewide publications over the years, as well as the 1997 cover of the Ozark Gateway Region tabloid, along with her then 4-year-old son, Jon. She has received several awards, such as the Batesville Rotarian of the Year in 2010 and a three-time Paul Harris Fellow.
She also has served as an Independence County election commissioner for several years. She now serves as their co-election coordinator, helping with behind-the-scenes management of voting equipment, day-to-day election deadlines, and poll worker training.
Drew is Batesville Rotary Club Past President, and is the Rotary Clubs’ current membership chair.
In March of 2018, Drew was honored with induction into the Arkansas Tourism Hall of Fame for her many years of dedicated service to the tourism industry.