Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival returns for 30th anniversary

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) – For three decades now every year on the third Saturday in July, Look Park is transformed into a field full of Scottish Culture for the Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival.

The festival’s purpose is to promote Scottish culture, raise funds for other local non-profit organizations, and award Scottish cultural scholarships for Highland dancing and piping. Every year there’s always a big crowd. But, what makes the Glasgow Lands so special is the music.

“There’s something about the bagpipes that just grips your soul, you know what I mean? The music just pulls you in,” expressed Chuck Connors from Brookfield, Connecticut, “And I play it. I enjoy hearing other people play it, and I just enjoy listening to real quality bands play. And, we got a lot of that going on here today.”

The noises of the bagpipes filled the park throughout the day, with hundreds of talented bagpipers serenading all in attendance. This is the only Scottish Festival in all of Massachusetts, and the second largest one in New England, all creating an immersive experience.

Jackie Holland from Scotland told 22News, “It’s a fantastic representation of what we would be having back home. And, I think it’s really important to just give people the opportunity to touch base with the culture you know?”

For the thousands of families who strolled throughout the festival, it was an opportunity to taste Scottish whiskey, see historical reenactments, experience Irish dance, and so much more.

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Heath Kalb is a reporter who has been a part of the 22News team since 2022. Follow Heath on X @HeathKalb and view his bio to see more of his work.

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