2026 Entertainment Lineup!
Whether you enjoy Celtic rock, folk or something in between, we have a band for you. Come out to one of our three entertainment stages for a rockin’ and toe-tappin’ good time.
Welcome our 2026 Entertainers!
PICTUS
PICTUS delivers a driving fusion of ancient sound and modern power. The music comes by way of by award-winning bagpiper, multi-instrumentalist, and composer John “Tallisyn” Holland, the band pairs his soaring pipes with the thunderous drumming of Lauren “Ceilidh Shillelagh” Berry and the show-stopping percussion and larger-than-life presence of Brad “Oengus MacOg” Sprauer. With 13 years of touring and six albums behind them, PICTUS brings rhythm you can feel in your ancestry, and melodies that keep giving long after the last strike. This is thunder with memory. This is the music of our ancestors. This is PICTUS.
Jacobites By Name
“The Jacobites By Name,” based in Nashville, TN, specialize in authentic Scottish music often in the Scots language, offering entertainment that educates through passionate songs of love and war spanning more than seven centuries. Offering an excellent blend of instrumentation and vocal harmonies, they NEVER Anglicize Scots music. Their discography of three albums includes a Live album released in January 2026, with over 35,000 streams in 74 countries. They are currently recording their fourth album, “Parcel O’ Rogues,” and perform at pubs, Burn’s Nights, concerts and Celtic festivals across the eastern and southern USA.
James Linden Hogg
James Linden Hogg is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, author and historian. He shares his passion for music and history through performances and lectures on Mississippi riverboats. Hogg’s instruments include the fiddle, banjo, guitar, piano, bagpipes, mandolin, fife, penny whistle, and accordion. Inspired by his ancestor, the Scottish poet James Hogg, the “Ettrick Shepherd” (1770-1835), Hogg has written two books and recorded five albums in the Folk and Celtic genres. Along with his father, Jim, he is a member of the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. Please follow him on social media and subscribe to his YouTube channel @jameslindenhogg.
Additional Live Music!
Colin Grant-Adams
Colin Grant-Adams is an award-winning touring singer/songwriter/guitarist, originally from Oban Scotland, now living in Glasgow, KY. His sound includes traditional and original songs from Scotland and Ireland intermixed with bluegrass and Americana, old time and bluegrass music. With his tenor voice, fiery guitar work and good humor, Colin is sought after professional entertainer, with 11 CD recordings, including his new CD “Scotland to Americana.” As a result of his popularity, Colin is one of two entertainers who hold a “continuing contract” with the Smoky Mountain Scottish Festival and Games!
Celtic Conundrum
Since 2016 audiences have been captivated by Celtic Conundrum’s exceptional vocals and rich harmonies, along with their instrumental prowess. Their musical storytelling is influenced not only by Celtic lore and traditions, but contemporary American music.The band has performed in diverse venues and music festivals throughout the United States and Ireland, and soon Scotland, delighting fans with their unique style of Celtic Americana music. They are presently working on their fifth album/CD. All of their music will be available at the event and also available streaming.
Trip Rogers
Trip Rogers has been entertaining crowds at Scottish Highland Games and Irish festivals for nearly 30 years. His humor and Southern slant on Celtic music make him a crowd favorite everywhere he plays!
Bill Mullen
Bill Mullen is a travelling entertainer, musician, singer, storyteller and songwriter. Inspired by Celtic music in his home town of Dundee, Scotland. Bill has played guitar and performed in bands since the age of 16. After moving to the USA in 2007, he became a solo artist and has played Irish and Scottish venues, festivals, pubs and clubs in many parts of the country. Accompanying Bill, from time to time, is his lovely wife, Dorothy, whose presence enriches the concert experience.
Bob Valentine
Bob is the official master of ceremonies for the Smoky Mountain Scottish Festival and Games, and has performed in this role at Scottish heritage events across America. His stock of stories and ready wit are well suited for hosting musicians on our Edinburgh Stage as well as our whisky tasting seminars. A veteran of stage and film, his CD titled, “I’ll Tak the Lo Road” was rereleased in 2020.
Culture and History Presentations 2026
Join us for entertaining and educational presentations from experts eager to share their knowledge of Scottish and Scottish American history, culture and lore.
John Miles -250th History Presentation
John is a retired U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel and former college professor who now writes and delivers lectures about historical topics. He gives presentations at numerous Highland games, Celtic festivals, libraries, genealogical societies, retirement facilities, cultural and historical organizations, and military units. John has authored two historical fiction novels: Magnus Saga Beyond Vinland, which is about Vikings coming to North America and Well of the Dead, which combines a Civil War ghost story with Celtic mythology. Additionally, John has published in multiple professional journals, periodicals and magazines. His speaking schedule can be viewed and his novels purchased on his website.
Amelia Galvas
Amelia Galvas has been making brooms for seven years. Each broom is functional, one-of-a-kind and made to last! She teaches and demonstrates at LMU, Museum of Appalachia, various local and tri-state schools, and junior garden clubs etc. She has a working studio in downtown Knoxville, and is on the Mayors Maker Council of Knoxville and is the current president of Foothills Craft Guild. Amelia finds humor in the stories of the broom materials and of how the broom came to be from far and wide. Making the mundane a tale you’ll want to hear again and again.
James McClure – Haggis McCloud Stories
Let Haggis Macleod regale you with his enchanted Celtic stories. Haggis Macleod is the stage name for James McClure. He has performed as a storyteller for over 23 years including with the Brevard (FL) Theatrical Ensemble telling a wide variety of stories. He is a member of the Clan Macleod society and specializes in Celtic stories. He was given permission to wear pheasant feathers as a clan baird by the past Chief Macleod of Macleod. He is currently a storyteller with Ghost Walk of Gatlinburg.
Johnny Gauld – Caledonian Cowboy
Johnny ‘Caledonian Cowboy’ Gauld is a true 100% Scottish story slinger! Armed with his poetic pistols loaded with folklore, adventure, history, poems, bagpipes and laughter! Once witnessed…never forgotten!
Stages
All stages are sponsored by Boyd’s Jig and Reel.
Edinburgh Stage
Features headlining performers who tour internationally and have translated their deep knowledge of Scottish music onto some of the largest Celtic festival stages in the world. This is music that you will feel in your bones.
Glasgow Stage
Features traditional music that is such a vital part of our community, and the Scottish folk music we are so proud of!
St. Andrews Stage
Gives you an opportunity to learn more about Scottish history, culture and lore with a smaller, close-up experience.