Heart in Scotland? Huge Scottish salute at Hylton Highlands festival Jan. 26-27

The Black Watch from Scotland will perform during Jan. 26-27 Highland festival at the Hylton Center

Hear a Scottish fiddler, shop for Scottish crafts, take a bagpipe and drumming master class, get a children’s passport, taste Scottish whiskey and more Jan. 26-27 at a Scottish festival in Manassas—all with the blessing of the Scottish “Counsellor” at the British Embassy .

“Hylton in the Highlands: A Festival of Scotland” will be held the Hylton Performing Arts Center In celebration of the rich and vibrant culture of Scotland and the Scottish people, according to a news release.

“This festival offers more than one something for everyone, from feasts for the ears, eyes and mind to actual feasts for more earthly appetites,” said Rick Davis, the Hylton Center’s executive director. “Scotland’s culture has given the world so much, and we are thrilled to have the honorary patronage of Robin Naysmith, Scottish Government Counsellor in North America, as we explore and celebrate this rich heritage.”

This is the first time the Hylton Center has hosted a Scottish festival. Planned is a fun-filled day of activities for adults and children on Saturday, Jan. 26 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The center is on the Prince William campus of George Mason University in Manassas, just off Godwin Drive.

The day’s events include a performance by acclaimed Scottish fiddler Bonnie Rideout, a bagpipe and drumming master class, Scottish Country Dancing demonstrations, a showcase of authentic Scottish crafts, a Children’s Passport to Scotland with Mid-Atlantic Scots 4 Tots, Scottish history presentations, Scotch whisky tastings, an afternoon tea and more.

The festival continues on Sunday, Jan. 27 with a 4 p.m. performance by The Black Watch & the Band of the Scots Guards, who bring the magnificent pageantry of British military tradition and history to life . They will fill the Hylton Center’s Merchant Hall with rousing marches, stirring anthems and the distinctive sounds of bagpipes and brass.

Following the performance is a Burns Night Supper at 6:30 p.m. in the Hylton Center’s Gregory Family Theater. This festive dinner is a longstanding tradition, celebrating the life and works of Scotland’s national bard, Robert Burns, and will feature a special performance by International Scottish fiddler Bonnie Rideout, Scottish Country Dancing and the ceremonial presentation of Scotland’s national dish, Haggis.

A full schedule of events for Jan. 26 and 27 is below. For more information or to purchase tickets to the events of “Hylton in the Highlands: A Festival of Scotland,” please visit HyltonCenter.org/scottish/.

“HYLTON IN THE HIGHLANDS: A FESTIVAL OF SCOTLAND”

Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The events on Jan. 26 are $15 for adults and $5 for children, except the Full Afternoon Tea and Scotch Whisky Master Class, which are $35 per person (admission to the Jan. 26 festival events included with the purchase of the Full Afternoon Tea or Scotch Whisky Master Class)

Children’s Passport to Scotland featuring Highland games and crafts
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Gregory Family Theater

Scottish Country Dancing demonstration followed by open social dancing
11 a.m. to 12 p.m., 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Merchant Hall

Presentations (Folklore, History and Literature)
11 a.m. to 12 p.m., 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Buchanan Partners Art Gallery

Full Afternoon Tea
12 p.m. to 1 p.m., 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Lovey Hammel Lounge
Tickets: $35 per person (admission is to one session)

Scotch Whisky Master Class
with Dougie Wylie the Scotch Whisky Man
(Must be 21 years of age or older to attend)
12 p.m. to 1 p.m., 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Prince William Health Systems Rehearsal Room
Tickets: $35 per person (admission is to one session)

Bagpipe and Drumming Master Class
12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Merchant Hall

Bonnie Rideout Presents: “The Art of Scotland’s Fiddle Piobaireachd”
Take a journey through 300 years of Scottish fiddle music with International Scottish Fiddler Bonnie Rideout.
5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Merchant Hall

*Programming subject to change

Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013

The Black Watch & The Band of the Scots Guards
The Pipes, Drums and Highland Dancers of 1st Battalion
4 p.m.
Merchant Hall
The magnificent pageantry of British military tradition and history comes to life when these two esteemed military bands take the stage and fill the hall with rousing marches, stirring anthems and the distinctive sounds of bagpipes and brass.
Tickets: $34, $42, $50. Family Friendly: Youth through grade 12 half price when accompanied by an adult.

Burns Night Supper
6:30 p.m.
Gregory Family Theater
This festive dinner will include all the pomp and pageantry fit to celebrate the life and works of Scotland’s national bard, Robert Burns. A special performance by International Scottish Fiddler Bonnie Rideout, Scottish Country Dancing and the presentation of Scotland’s national dish, Haggis, complete the festivities for the evening! 
Tickets: $75 per person

*Programming subject to change

Hylton Center provided this list of Special Thanks
to individuals and organizations:

Honorary Patron of “Hylton in the Highlands: A Festival of Scotland”:
Robin Naysmith, Scottish Government Counsellor, North America, British Embassy, Washington, D.C.

Performance Sponsor: Wallace S. Covington, Attorney at Law

Dinner Sponsors: Craig Gerhart and Martha Reinhart, Anne E. Nordness and Mary Postma

Wine provided by: Scott Elliff /DuCard Vineyards