Port City Highland Games
About
The Port City Highland Games were founded through a unique partnership between Port City Highland Games LLC, the Scottish Society of Wilmington, and the paws4people® foundation—three organizations united by a shared commitment to community, heritage, and service. From the beginning, the vision was clear: to create a premier Highland Games experience in southeastern North Carolina that celebrates Scottish culture while giving back in a meaningful way.
What makes the Port City Highland Games especially remarkable is how quickly that vision became reality. The inaugural Games were conceived, planned, and executed in just four and a half months—a testament to the dedication, collaboration, and determination of the founding partners and volunteers. That first year established not only a successful event, but a strong foundation for future growth.
Today, the Games continue to build on that momentum. Held annually in Wilmington, North Carolina, the Port City Highland Games bring together athletes, musicians, dancers, clans, vendors, and spectators for a full day of Scottish heritage and celebration. From traditional heavy athletics and piping competitions to cultural demonstrations and community engagement, the event offers an authentic and dynamic experience for all who attend.
As the Games grow, so does their ambition. The Port City Highland Games are actively working toward becoming one of the most significant and respected Highland Games in the southeastern United States—both in scale and in quality. Central to that mission is a continued focus on excellence, authenticity, and community impact, including support for the paws4people® foundation and its life-changing work.
Whether you are deeply connected to your Scottish roots or simply curious to experience the culture, the Port City Highland Games invite you to be part of something meaningful, enduring, and distinctly Cape Fear.
Who's In Charge
The Port City Highland Games are led by the Scottish Society of Wilmington, which provides overall vision, cultural direction, and organizational leadership for the event.
The Games benefit paws4vets, a program of the paws4people® foundation, whose team also provides critical logistical coordination and operational support.
Port City Highland Games LLC manages the athletics program, ensuring a high-quality and competitive field of traditional Highland Games events.
Why We're Doing This
Our primary purpose is to celebrate and honor the rich Scottish heritage of the Lower Cape Fear region. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, more than 20,000 Scottish immigrants arrived here to begin new lives, leaving a lasting cultural imprint that continues to shape our community today.
In addition to this cultural mission, the Port City Highland Games proudly support paws4vets, helping raise funds to place highly trained service dogs with veterans who benefit from their companionship, independence, and care.
