Maine Ulster Scots - The Maine Ulster Scots Project (MUSP) has been created to promote awareness of Maine's Scots-Irish heritage and to gather and archive the histories of Maine's Ulster-Scots families, up to and including the time of the American Revolution.
Ceilidh House - The mission of Ceilidh House is to provide a home for educational activities and performance events that celebrate the Celtic immigrant heritage of Maine.
Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, Boston Branch -The Boston branch was the first branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society established outside the United Kingdom and, of course, the first branch in North America. Since 1950, the Branch has been promoting, entertaining, and educating an increasing community of the joys of Scottish dance and music.
Southern Maine School of Scottish Dance - We are happy to announce the opening of this new Scottish dance school in Portland, Maine. They will be opening this fall, 2009. Their mission is to provide elite training in the art of traditional Scottish Highland Dance in a fun and supportive environment.
Pipers and Pipe Bands
Maine Public Safety Pipe and Drum Corp - "The purposes of this organization are: to honor all of our public safety comrades both locally and nationally by providing Scottish music for funerals and memorials without any cost; to represent the men and women of Maine’s Public Safety by participating in a variety of events including, but not limited to, funerals, memorials, fairs, community events, parades, highland games/gatherings, and competitions; to further Celtic and Scottish traditions in public performances; and to teach Highland Bagpiping and Scottish Style pipe band drumming."
Anah Highlanders - A Bangor, Me based pipe band, supporting the Shriners' children's hospitals. Impressive in appearance and impressive musically, they "parade so others may walk".
Dunlap Highland Band - Maine's largest pipe band is a nonprofit organization, dedicated to preservation and enjoyment of Scottish music and tradition. The primary purpose of the Band is to encourage those members of the general public who are interested, especially the youth of the community, to pursue a Scottish musical education without creating financial burden. Many of its members are piping and drumming competition winners.
Maine Saint Andrews Pipe and Drums - Maine St. Andrew's entertains audiences throughout Maine in parades and concerts, competes at Highland Games in New England and Canada, and provides educational presentations to Maine's school children.
Rocky Bay Pipe Band - An Augusta, ME based pipe band dedicated to playing quality Scottish music, with a healthy dose of fun. They play at a variety of venues in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachussetts. Band members have successfully competed both as a group and solo. Winners of the pipe band competition 29th Maine Highland Games!
Fredericton & District Pipes and Drums - Based in Fredericton, NB, the Fredericton & District Pipes and Drums is a non-profit, self-sponsored organization committed to the preservation and promotion of Scottish culture through musical performances. Winners of the Grade 4 pipe band competition at the 2009 Maine Highland Games, we look forward to welcoming them back in 2010!
Scottish Melodies - Professional Bagpiper Jeff Herbstercan provide bagpiping, fiddling,and lessons for any occasion. Bagpiping demonstrations and talks on Scottish Heritage are given free of charge to church, charitable, civic, and school organizations.
Maine Bagpiper - The one stop source for all your bagpiping needs. The only authorized Dunbar bagpipe dealer in ME and NH, supplying bagpipes, piping accessories, CD/DVD, books, and Scottish attire.
Stage Bands/Performers Tannahill Weavers - Scotland's finest traditional band."The Tannahill Weavers' diverse repertoire reflects the duality of Scotland's musical heritage. It embraces both the mystical quality of the Highlander's Celtic music, and the rollicking, sometimes even brawling qualities of the Lowlander's Anglo-Scots tunes. The Tannahill Weavers' arrangements blend the beauty of the traditional melodies with the power of modern rhythms. The penetrating sound of the Highland bagpipes is a thread of ancient memory running through it all." We are very fortunate to have them for our headline band in 2008.
Prydein - "Bagpipe rock to its fullest extent. Coupled with screaming guitars, a driving bass, and the funkalicious rhythm of the drums the great Scottish Highland pipe has found its place."
Highland Soles - The fresh & exciting dance and music of Highland Soles are rooted in the traditions of Scotland and Cape Breton, with a good dose of innovation. Based in Maine, the band presents high-flying Highland dance, hard-hitting Cape Breton stepdance, feisty Scottish Highland folk dances and new choreographies with compelling music, both traditional and original. Look for the link to their summer dance camp at the top of their website. A ticket to the Maine Highland Games is included with tuition.
Frank Ferrel - Widely regarded as a composer - the classic Cape Breton jig, Spin-N-Glo, is one of his compositions - Frank Ferrel is considered to be one of the leading North American fiddlers performing today.
Castlebay - Castlebay is a duo from mid-coast Maine specializing in Scots and Maine coastal music. Their music combines award-winning Celtic harp playing with 12-string guitar, fiddle, whistles, and songs. Castlebay are full-time musicians and are available for concerts, workshops, school programs and private functions throughout the east coast of the U.S.
Battlefield Band -" Inspired by their rich heritage of Celtic music and fired by the strength and vibrancy of today's Scottish cultural scene, which indeed they have done much to create and fuel, they have led, and been at the forefront, of a great revival in Scottish music." We love these guys.
Charlie Zahm - "...one of the most popular soloists at Celtic music festivals, Maritime and Early American music events anywhere east of the Mississippi. With a baritone voice some have described as "coming along once in a generation," Charlie has become one of the most successful performers on the Celtic festival circuit..." A perennial favorite at the Maine Highland Games.
Colin Grant-Adams - Scottish balladeer. One man, one guitar - another favorite at the Maine games!
Kilts and Other Scottish Stuff!
Sport Kilt - Great product, great service, great prices. Very affordable alternative to traditional kilts and very nice folks to deal with. Other clothing and accessories available. Endorsed by the Scottish American Athletes Association. Be sure to ask about the 10% discount available to SASME members.
Stillwater Kilts - Not just for formal wear anymore. Durable, practical kilts for work, outdoor, and casual dress. They're machine washable too! Great prices and service on kilts and accessories.
Mjolnir Hammers Ltd. - Makers of Heavy Gear quality cast iron Scottish throwing implements. Heavy Gear Scottish throwing implements can be found at over 125 Highland Games throughout the United States, Canada and the far reaches of the Yukon Territories, Saskatchewan and Alaska.
McKean's of Scotland - Haggis makers since 1860. Now manufactured in America using only the finest Scottish oats mixed with the secret 150 year old blend of herbs and spices. "Haggis - it's not just for breakfast anymore."
Miscellaneous
Topsham Fairgrounds - Our host for the 2010 Maine Highland Games. We are very excited to be working with them!
Thomas Point Beach - Our host for many years, Thomas Point provides a lovely spot for a day or for a great camping experience!
Team Cole - For those interested in Scottish heavy athletics, this is an established training team in midcoast Maine. Contact them to get started in the heavy events or to practice for competition!
Mechanical Services - Sponsor of this year's Games! Visit them for all your commercial heating and cooling needs. Get it done right the first time!
Music & Moore - A Maine full-service music store. With their quality, variety, and great customer values, anyone from novice to professional can feel comfortable here. Located in Topsham, Maine.
Thistles and Things - Gifts with a Scottish flair. In business for 20 years, Thistles and Things is located in beautiful Harpswell, Maine.
Byrnes' Irish Pub - Another sponsor of our 30th anniversary Games! Good food, good drink, and always a good time! Need I say more? Visit them in Bath, Maine. (If you don't, you'll wish you had!)
The Grand Design - The chronicle of a Scots-Irish journey to the New World. This is a new show based on a real historical event. Words and music by Julia Lane of Castlebay.
Maine Celtic Celebration - Celtic heritage celebration in Belfast, ME. The goal is to renew the rich Celtic history, culture and hospitality found along the coast of Maine through food, music, and sport.