ScotsFest: 46th Arkansas Scottish Festival & Lyon College Homecoming
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Bagpipes, Highland games, Scottish traditions and family fun take over the Lyon College campus during ScotsFest, the 46th Arkansas Scottish Festival and Lyon College Homecoming, Oct. 23-25 in Batesville.
The annual festival celebrates Lyon College’s Scottish heritage with three days of pipe and drum performances, Highland dancing, living history, sheepdog demonstrations, Celtic music, traditional food and Highland athletics, including events such as the caber toss, stone throw and sheaf toss. Families can also enjoy children’s activities, a dog show and other festival traditions throughout the weekend.
New for 2026, the Lil’ Highlanders Tea Party invites young festivalgoers to dress in their royal best for tea and story time, while the inaugural ScotsFest Fishing Derby brings another family-friendly activity to Bryan Lake on the Lyon College campus.
ScotsFest began as a small Scottish fair at Lyon College in 1979 and has grown into a beloved Batesville tradition, welcoming families, students, alumni and visitors from across Arkansas and beyond. Come for the kilts and bagpipes, then make a weekend of exploring the Lyon College campus and Batesville.
General admission to ScotsFest is free, though some individual activities and Lyon College alumni events require a fee.