The Grandfather Mountain Highland Games turned 70 this year. Founded in 1956 and billed as the oldest Highland Games in the South, they ran July 9–12, 2026, and camp was as full and as loud as ever.
On the field
- Honored Clan: Clan Gunn, with Chieftain John Gunn as Chieftain of the Games. Distinguished Clan: Clan Lamont.
- 108 clans and 14 educational and cultural societies took part.
- New this year: sheep shearing demonstrations on Thursday, a first in the Games’ history, alongside the border collie herding.
- Men’s heavy athletics: Kyle Lillie of Colorado Springs, an assistant track coach at the U.S. Air Force Academy, won overall with three firsts and two seconds.
- Women’s heavy athletics: Dee McGillivray of Albuquerque won overall, taking the sheaf, both weights for distance and the hammer. Alisha Donner was runner-up.
- Track and field: Jake McMillan of Madison, Miss. (long jump, triple jump, 220) and 15-year-old Naomi Robins of Gilmer, Texas (long jump, triple jump) were named outstanding athletes.
- Seven Nations and the Seán Heely Band were back, and the Scottish Cultural Village marked its 11th year.
In camp
The Avery Journal-Times ran a story this year on what campers already know: camping at the Games is a week-long family reunion.
Photos from camp
Sources: 2026 announcement; Kyle Lillie release; Dee McGillivray release; track and field release; Avery Journal-Times via Ground News.
