Celtic Heritage at the Skagit Valley Highland Games

Many of my ancestors were of Scottish descent, so the love of bagpipe bands must be in my blood.  I enjoy going to the numerous highland games that are held in the Pacific Northwest every summer.  It is by no means the largest, but one of my favorites is the Skagit Valley Highland Games.  The games are sponsored by the Celtic Arts Foundation and are held at Edgewater Park in Mount Vernon,WA on the 2nd full weekend in July.  One of the reasons I like this particular event is that they are one of the few clan gatherings that allows leashed dogs on the grounds.

Parking is free and there are several lots with a free shuttle from parking to the entrance gate.  Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the gate.   Pass though the colorful castle-like entrance to a world of Celtic traditions.

Skagit Valley Highland Games Entrance Gate

It goes without saying that there is a lot of plaid.

Plaids for sale at the Skagit Valley Highland Games

Both young and old demonstrating or competing in Scottish dancing.

Highland Dancing at the Skagit Valley Highland Games

One area features the athletic competition with traditional Scottish athletic "Heavy Events" throwing stones, hammers, cabers and sheafs.

Highland Games "Heavy Events" Competion

There are numerous vendors and crafts including woodworking and leather and traditional historical items like swords and shields.

Leather Crafts at the Skagit Valley Highland Games

Another tent had demonstrations by weavers and wool spinners.

Weavers and Spinners at the Skagit Valley Highland Games

There were 2 days of sheep dog herding competition.  Although my border collie, Hank has only tried sheep herding once, he looked on with great interest. (See Hank Tries Herding Sheep)  Just like my enjoyment of bagpipes, the interest in sheep herding must be in his blood.

Border Collie Herding Sheep - Skagit Valley Highland Games

Pony rides for the kids.

There was a variety of Scottish music featuring fiddles, harps and guitars.

Adult beverages like beer, wine and whiskey...

And of course, the bagpipes

Pipers practicing at the Skagit Valley Highland Games

and the pipe bands all marching together at the finale.




For anyone who would like to experience all three days of this colorful event, there are numerous lodging options in Mt. Vernon.


There is also free RV camping and parking area immediately adjacent to venue.  However, it does NOT have any amenities available like electrical, water or sewer hook-ups.  There are several RV Parks and Washington State Parks with overnight RV camping  nearby as well.

RV Parking and Camping

Where is Mount Vernon, WA?

Mount Vernon is located about 60 miles north of Seattle.




If you are looking for other Scottish Highland Games in the Pacific Northwest, the Celtics Arts Foundation website has a schedule.

Hiking Dog Friendly Guemes Island

Guemes Mountain, WA

Just getting around to posting a trip report of our dog friendly hike to Guemes Mountain, WA.  It is amazing after living in the Pacific Northwest for so many years, that there are still places that await discovery and exploration. 

We parked our cars at the free parking lot at the Guemes Island Ferry terminal in Anacortes, WA and walked on the ferry - $2.50 round trip fare for humans - $0 for the dogs.

We hiked about 2 miles along the sparsely traveled roads to the Guemes Mountain trailhead.  There is no sign on the road marking the trailhead - just a wide shoulder where a few vehicles can park and a bike rack - but the graveled trail is clearly visible.  A few yards after staring up the trail there is a sign with information about the Guemes Mountain trail.

The trail was completed in 2011 after a joint effort by the Skagit Land Trust, San Juan PreservationTrust, Guemes Island residents and the Washington Trails Association.  What a great legacy for future generations to enjoy!  Even though the spring weather was less than perfect, the view from the summit was fabulous and as a bonus we saw numerous bald eagles.

To see more of my adventures hiking with me dogs, visit my other blog Adventures of Border Collies in the Burbs.



Skagit River Bald Eagles - They're Back!

The arrival of November in the Pacific Northwest means shorter, dreary days and noticeably colder weather, but it also signals the return of the Bald Eagles to the Skagit River.  The Skagit River is the largest bald eagle winter resort area in North America.  The eagles come south from Alaska and northern Canada for the warmer weather, large trees to lounge in and the all-you-can-eat salmon and steelhead buffet served up on the Skagit and its numerous tributaries.



Skagit River Bald Eagle in Winter

Fortunately for residents and visitors to the Pacific Northwest the Skagit River eagle wintering area is only about 2 hours from the Seattle area.  A trip to the Skagit River Bald Eagle Natural Area makes a great day trip.  It is possible to see the amazing spectacle of sometimes more than 100 eagles in a few short hours along a 10 mile stretch of the river.  Eagles can be viewed from several turn-outs along highway 20, but one of the most enjoyable ways to see the largest number of eagles up close is to take a float trip down the river with one of the professional river rafting companies.   The eagles start arriving in November and reach their peak numbers in late November and December.  They start to depart in January with most being gone by the end of February.  If your goal is to see the maximum number of bald eagles, the best time to see the most is by taking a trip to the Skagit in the next 2 months.  For more details see my Skagit River Bald Eagle Float Trip.