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SCOTTISH AMERICAN FESTIVAL
Participant Info

2024 Festival Dates

June 12th - 16th, 2024

“Céad Míle Fáilte – One Hundred Thousand Welcomes” 

to you to the Scottish American Festival of music and culture from the 4 corners of the world!  We are proud to bring your ensemble to Scotland to experience all that the country has to offer, whilst performing to enthusiastic audiences. Not only will you perform with other festival participants, but alongside musicians and singers from Scotland’s rich musical tapestry.

During your time you will glimpse some of what Scotland has to offer including Edinburgh, the stirring capital of Scotland; Glasgow, Scotland’s City of Style; The Highlands, famed the world over for its majesty and splendour; and Stirling with stories of battles fought by William Wallace and Robert the Bruce. You might have the unique opportunity to play in Scotland’s most captivating castle grounds, charming market towns, remarkable concert halls and historic churches. We believe in the importance of cross-cultural experiences and that is why we often invite complimentary local performance groups to share the stage in some collaborative performances.

We are so glad to have you with us, and when the time comes to leave…

Haste Ye Back.

Lethbridge Community Band
Satin Strings
Dean Marshall, Artistic Director
Satin Strings
Lethbridge Community Band
Vancouver Island Choir
BC Boys
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FESTIVAL ITINERARY

The foundation of the Scottish American Festival program is a combination of individual, shared and gala performances. Surrounding these activities is an exciting variety of sightseeing opportunities and cultural exchange through social activities with your fellow participants. Our commitment to customization; number of performances, type of venue, and workshop opportunities form the heart of our promise to deliver a memorable experience for all our festival participants.  Your group may want to add some additional days (before or after the festival) while you are in Scotland.  We can definitely accommodate these kinds of requests.

Basic 2024 Sample Itinerary Highlights:

Tuesday, June 11th – Groups arrive. Check in.  Possible sightseeing.  Dinner.  Rest!

Wednesday, June 12th – Performance in Edinburg – St. Giles’ Cathedral or other complimentary venue.  Tour and boat ride to Loch Lomond with photo op at the Kelpies.

Thursday, June 13th – Afternoon performance at Stirling Castle or in the Trossachs.  Joint rehearsal of the collaborative joint pieces in the evening with all the groups.

Friday, June 14th – Guided City Tour by bus of Edinburgh with free time to explore the Royal Mile.  Evening performance at Greyfriars Kirk with other festival participants.

Saturday, June 15th – Visit Robert Burns Birthplace Museum and explore Culzean Castle.  Performance at Callander Kirk.

Sunday, June 16th – The Final Gala Concert at the famous Glasgow Halls followed by a Farewell Ceilidh!

Monday, June 17th – Depart Scotland for home.

 ⎯⎯ Subject to change ⎯⎯

scotland

Scottish American Festival
Locations

Festival Locations

Edinburgh
Edinburgh
St Giles' Cathedral
St Giles' Cathedral
Glasgow Halls - Gala Concert
Glasgow Halls - Gala Concert
Downtown Glasgow
Downtown Glasgow
Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle
Greyfriars Kirk
Greyfriars Kirk
Greyfriars Kirk - performance
Greyfriars Kirk - performance
Culzean Castle
Culzean Castle
Culzean Castle - performance
Culzean Castle - performance
Culzean Castle - stair case performance
Culzean Castle - stair case performance
Culzean Castle Grounds
Culzean Castle Grounds
Ayr Town Hall Performance
Ayr Town Hall Performance
Dalmellington Band in Ayr
Dalmellington Band in Ayr
The Highlands
The Highlands
Glenfinnan Viaduct
Glenfinnan Viaduct
Highlands
Highlands
Perth Concert Hall
Perth Concert Hall
Dunblane Cathedral
Dunblane Cathedral
Dunblane Cathedral
Dunblane Cathedral
Ayr Town Hall
Ayr Town Hall
Ceilidh - group selfie
Ceilidh - group selfie
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accommodation

There are many varied types of festival accommodation that can be arranged: from university dorm type rooms to 3 or 4 star hotel accommodation in the area.  Depending on the budget and preferences your team can decide what would be the best fit for your group.

One possible location for accommodation is at Chancellor Court, University of Edinburgh. Situated within Pollock Halls and at the base of the impressive Arthur’s Seat, one of Edinburgh’s most famous landmarks and a local favourite for hiking, the accommodation offers easy access to Edinburgh’s central area. All rooms are en-suite and residents have access to the newly developed common rooms on all floors.

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Chancellors Court
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Other possible hotel accommodations:

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Double-Bedroom
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EXTEND YOUR STAY

There are options to extend your time in Scotland, with additional nights either before or after the festival. We encourage you to further explore this beautiful country, whilst experiencing bespoke performance and/or workshop opportunities.

WHAT THE FESTIVAL PROVIDES

• Accommodation at different levels based on budget and preferences. 

• Deluxe motor coaching as per festival itinerary

• Performances as per Festival Itinerary

• Special events as per Festival Itinerary

• Sightseeing and entrance fees to attractions as per Festival Itinerary

• Any workshop or guest clinician fees

• Every ensemble will be provided with a dedicated festival escort

We can provide you the estimated costs per person, for the festival,
based on your group size and accommodation configurations.

Please contact us for more information.

What people are saying about the festival

"An extraordinary festival, well-planned and beautifully executed! The Colorado Children's Chorale Festival Singers enjoyed every second, on and off the stage. We hope we can come again sometime!"
Debbie DeSantisThe Colorado Children's Chorale Festival Singers, USA
"One of our Telephone workers was chatting to a carer after the show and she told us that it was the best evening’s entertainment he has been to in years, he could not believe that as a carer something like this was offered. The carer loved every part of it but was very complimentary regarding the children’s choir and their fantastic choreography."
PKAVS CharityPerth, Scotland
"Excellent recent event at Perth Concert Hall, all groups very talented"
Fraser LindsayHeartland Radio
"The Festival has accomplished the exact meaning of music – expanding aesthetical and artistic values, encouraging positive characteristics in people and connecting them."
Goran JerkovicChamber Choir Ivan Filipovic, Croatia
"We are still trying to come to grips with all that we experienced in Scotland. We cannot thank you enough… Scotland is an incredibly beautiful, magical place with a postcard picture around every corner."
Jed FritzemeierChelsea House Orchestra, USA
“Last night’s concert really lifted out spirits! The Choir from South Africa were out of this world! At the end a little boy came up and thanked us personally for coming which was really lovely.”
PKAVS CharityPerth, Scotland
"I went along to a couple of the events this summer - fantastic event, with really talented, diverse bands and choirs. A real joy to watch and listen. Very well organised too!"
David TapnerEvent Attendee, Scotland
"Thank you for all your work to give so many performance opportunities to our members – you have created memories for a lifetime – which is always our goal! Thank you!"
Margot HolmesThe British Columbia Boys Choir, Canada
"It was a fantastic experience for our young people and indeed our staff to hear such varied and high quality music. We greatly appreciate having the chance to be involved!"
Kim EdgarThe BIG Project Youth Choir, Scotland
“The Stirling Bridge Concert last night was absolutely wonderful, a great variety of music from all the groups of Choirs and Musicians. We all agreed it was an exceptional night of music of the very highest quality. Thank you once again for your kind invitation.”
PKAVS CharityPerth, Scotland
"The concert was amazing and the standard of music and singing very high. We particularly liked the High School band from Texas who came off stage and played up and down the aisles. The music was very emotional and we were both in tears at one point. They were truly magnificent. Also the South African Children’s Choir were great but all groups were very good and we had a thoroughly entertaining evening. Thanks once again for giving us the opportunity to attend this event.”
PKAVS CharityPerth, Scotland
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WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

If you are considering joining us in the future,
please get in touch!

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