ScotsFest
Bagpipes, Highland athletics and Scottish tradition return to Batesville when ScotsFest—the 46th Arkansas Scottish Festival and Lyon College Homecoming—takes over the Lyon College campus October 23–25, 2026.
Presented by Lyon College and Experience Independence, this three-day celebration brings together Scottish heritage, live entertainment, homecoming traditions and family-friendly fun. General admission is free, with tickets or registration required for select special events.
Experience Scotland in Batesville
Spend the weekend surrounded by the sights, sounds and traditions of Scotland. ScotsFest features:
- Highland athletic competitions
- Pipe and drum performances
- Highland dancing and Celtic music
- Sheepdog demonstrations
- Scottish clans and heritage exhibits
- Tartan-weaving demonstrations
- McNaughton’s Raiders living history demonstrations
- British car show
- Vendors, food and interactive activities
- Lyon College Homecoming festivities
Saturday offers a full day of festival favorites alongside a petting zoo, children’s activities, rocket-building workshops and launches, and a dog show hosted by the Lyon College School of Veterinary Medicine. The Lyon Scots will also take the field against Texas Lutheran University for the homecoming football game at Bad Boy Mowers Stadium.
New Family Events for 2026
Two new experiences join the ScotsFest lineup this year.
The Lil’ Highlanders Tea Party begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, October 24. Young princes and princesses are invited to wear their royal attire for morning tea and story time with Dr. Melissa Taverner, Lyon College president and prime minister of the Arkansas Scottish Festival.
On Sunday, families can head to Bryan Lake on the Lyon College campus for the inaugural ScotsFest Fishing Derby, beginning at 1 p.m.
A Full Weekend of Celebration
The festival opens Friday with vendors, Scottish clan organizations and tartan-weaving demonstrations. Guests will also get their first look at a new Lyon College dress tartan designed by Lyon art faculty member Cody Norton.
Saturday evening’s Feast and Ceilidh features a traditional Scottish dinner, live Celtic music, Highland dancing and fellowship.
Sunday begins with Tea and Scones and the Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan worship service. The final day also includes Highland dancing, sheepdog demonstrations, an alumni baseball game, the Club 50 Celebration and the ScotsFest Fishing Derby. Festivities conclude at 4 p.m.
Plan Your Visit
Dates: October 23–25, 2026
Location: Lyon College, 2300 Highland Road, Batesville, Arkansas
Admission: General admission is free. Tickets or registration are required for the Feast and Ceilidh, designated entertainment areas and select alumni or special events.
View the complete schedule and find ticket and registration information at ArkansasScottishFest.com.
