ScotsFest returns to Lyon College Oct. 17–19 with Celtic rock band Mudmen headlining entertainment zone

The Central High School Kiltie Drum and Bugle Corps of Springfield, Missouri

Bagpipes, kilts, and Celtic rock will fill the air at Lyon College later this month as ScotsFest — Independence County’s largest annual festival — returns to campus Oct. 17–19. The event will feature traditional Highland games, homecoming events, and performances by the Canadian Celtic rock band Mudmen, expected to draw thousands of visitors to Batesville.

Steeped in Lyon College’s Scottish roots, the three-day festival honors the heritage that has shaped the institution since its founding in 1872 by Presbyterian ministers of Scottish descent. What began in 1979 as a small gathering on an intramural field has grown into one of Arkansas’ signature cultural celebrations, expected to attract more than 6,000 attendees this year.

“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.”

This year’s ScotsFest will feature several new attractions, including the Robert Lewis Campbell Scottish Clan Village, with more than 20 clans represented. Visitors can also enjoy performances by Celtic singer-songwriter Misty Posey, bagpipe educator Patrick Regan, and a tartan-weaving demonstration by Lyon art professor Cody Norton, who is creating a commemorative tartan for the festival. Other new features include a traveling axe-throwing range, a pirate ship-themed game area, and a family petting zoo.

The festival kicks off Friday with open classes, clan gatherings, a rocket-building workshop, and alumni events, followed by a weekend full of Highland athletics, pipe bands, Scottish dancing, living history reenactments, and a homecoming football game at Lyon’s new Bad Boy Mowers Stadium.

Celtic rock group Mudmen

Headlining this year’s entertainment zone are the Mudmen, a Celtic rock group known for their high-energy performances and international touring history. The band’s music has appeared on NBC’s “The Black Donnellys,” HBO’s “Shameless,” and CBC’s “Hockey Night in Canada.”

The award-winning Central High School Kiltie Drum and Bugle Corps of Springfield, Missouri — celebrating its centennial this school year — will also perform during the festival’s opening ceremony at noon Saturday.

“ScotsFest is a wonderful celebration that brings the spirit of Scottish culture alive here in Batesville,” said Jimmy Bell, director of the Scottish Heritage Program at Lyon College. “It’s always a joy to see folks of all ages come together and enjoy it.”

The weekend concludes Sunday with the traditional Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan worship service and the annual Club 50 luncheon.

General admission to the festival is free, but some events, including the alumni banquet, cèilidh feast, petting zoo, and entertainment zone tent, require tickets. Proceeds benefit the Lyon College Scottish Heritage Program and student scholarships.

For a full schedule, visit arscottishfest.com.