Athletic competitions, bagpipe bands, dancing and food from the Scottish Highlands attract roughly 25,000.
Shane Sutherland throws the heavy weight while competing at the Stone Mountain Highland Games and Scottish Festival on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025. (Ben Gray for the AJC)
The ceremonial wail of bagpipes and savory smell of meat pies wafted through the autumn air as Scottish clans in kilts gathered beneath tartan banners at Stone Mountain Park this weekend for the 53rd annual Highland Games and Scottish Festival on Saturday and Sunday.
Roughly 25,000 people came to the long-running festival, which celebrates the culture, competitions and camaraderie of the Scottish Highlands, according to festival organizers.
Tom Keen, with John Mohr Mackintosh Pipes and Drums, warms up before a performance at the Stone Mountain Highland Games and Scottish Festival on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025. (Ben Gray for the AJC)
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Chris Clark (center) strolls through the vendor area while attending his 30th Stone Mountain Highland Games and Scottish Festival on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025. (Ben Gray for the AJC)
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Dancers compete during the Stone Mountain Highland Games and Scottish Festival on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025. (Ben Gray for the AJC)
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Ken Misch (right) pours a wee dram for Jim Killough during the Stone Mountain Highland Games and Scottish Festival on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025. (Ben Gray for the AJC)
Danielle Charbonneau is a reporter with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.ajc.com ’
