Opening ceremony of Scottish clan members presenting family crests and tartans at the sixth annual Mystic Highland Games at Mystic Farm and Distillery.
Community,Education,Entertainment
Through the Tartans: Scenes from Durham’s Mystic Highland Games
The sixth annual Mystic Highland Games brought Scottish heritage, athletic tradition and community gathering to Mystic Farm and Distillery in Durham. Across the property, visitors watched caber tosses and weight throws, listened to bagpipes, sampled Scottish food and moved between clan tents filled with tartans, family histories and conversation. The event blended competition with connection, giving attendees a chance to step into the sights, sounds and stories of Highland culture for the day.
A competitor releases a stone during the stone put at the sixth annual Mystic Highland Games at Mystic Farm and Distillery in Durham on Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Mystic Farm groundskeeper known as, Bucket. Always bringing a good vibe!
Each clan presents different items from their lineage; ranging in clothing, diagrams, weaponry, maps, and delicious Scottish shortbread!
Ongoers participate in the heavy stone challenge, ranging in technique and flair.
Bagpipe players and drummers gather for a memorable sunset serenade as spectators can do nothing, but watch… and listen.
A visitor (someone we may be familiar with) orders from Michelle Briggs’ St. Andrews Square Scottish Foods tent, which offered meat pies, Scotch eggs and homemade shortbread!
A competitor tumbles head-first into the water as the crowd reacts during the clan tug-of-war.
Athletes compete to launch a caber as far as they can— a wooden pole, that can weigh up to 180 pounds — during the intense caber toss event of the day.
Clan Elliott brothers follow fellow clan members displaying their tartans and flags during the closing ceremony at the sixth annual Mystic Highland Games at Mystic Farm and Distillery in Durham on Saturday, March 28, 2026.
See print article of the day here.
All photos taken by Hailey Stone.
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