A Wee Bit o’ Scotland Comes to Ben Lomond: Oct 4 Scottish Day
By Blake Holiday
On a crisp autumn afternoon this month, the hum of bagpipes will drift across Mill Street, echoing through the redwoods and announcing that something special is happening in Ben Lomond. The small mountain village, named more than a century ago by a Scottish immigrant who missed the hills of home, will come alive with tartans, music, and laughter as visitors and neighbors gather for a celebration that ties past to present: Scottish Day 2025.
This new one-day festival will be a good excuse to don a kilt or sample shortbread while remembering why Ben Lomond carries such a proudly Scottish name. The town owes its identity to John Burns, a Scottish settler who christened the nearby mountain “Ben Lomond,” after the peak that rises above Loch Lomond in his homeland. That name, and the spirit behind it, stuck.
Happening Saturday, October 4 from 1 to 5 pm at Ben Lomond County Park, the inaugural Scottish Day promises a little bit of everything: soaring music, lively dance, wild falcons, sweet competition, and plenty of fun.
The event will feature a Falconry Demonstration by The Three Falconeers
“We wanted to put on an event this fall that felt truly and uniquely Ben Lomond,” said Sarah Jansen-Mount, Events Chair of the Ben Lomond Village Alliance. “So many community members have been involved to make it special, bringing creative ideas and lots of hard work. We can’t wait to celebrate our town’s heritage together!”
At 1 pm, the Scottish banner will rise above the park, accompanied by harpists and bagpipers whose melodies could charm even the shyest festivalgoer into a jig. Soon after, the crowd’s eyes will turn skyward as the Three Falconeers showcase the art of falconry, their birds swooping and gliding with breathtaking precision.
Then, as the afternoon unfolds, music and movement will take over. Jay Salter and the Celtic Circle Band will weave reels and jigs that tug at the heart, while later, Haggis and Avocado will lead a traditional cèilidh, a dance designed for all ages and abilities.
No Scottish gathering would be complete without shortbread, and in Ben Lomond, it’s serious business. The Shortbread Contest invites bakers to share their best recipes, cut into bite-sized squares for sampling. The air will fill with the scent of butter and sugar as judges taste and deliberate. By 4:30, a new champion will be crowned, earning local bragging rights for the year. Enter the contest: benlomondvillage.org/event/ben-lomond-scottish-heritage-day
Meanwhile, children can enjoy a craft area, families will browse the silent auction, and neighbors will catch up over food and drink. Some may even leave with treasures like a weekend getaway or a basket of local treats. Others will walk away with something harder to measure: the simple memory of laughing in the park with friends, surrounded by music and tradition.
The event will be powered by volunteers, supported by local donations, and driven by the mission of the Ben Lomond Village Alliance: to create spaces where history, culture, and community thrive together.
At its heart, Scottish Day is a reminder that Ben Lomond is more than the town between Felton and Boulder Creek. So whether you come for the falcons, the fiddles, the shortbread, or just the chance to dance under the redwoods, one thing’s certain: on October 4, Ben Lomond will be “plaid” to see you.
Event Schedule
- 1:00–1:30 p.m. | Raising of the Scottish Flag with harpists & bagpipes
- 1:00–3:30 p.m. | Shortbread Tasting & Contest
- 1:30–2:00 p.m. | Falconry Demonstration by The Three Falconeers
- 2:00–3:00 p.m. | Celtic Music with Jay Salter and the Celtic Circle Band
- 3:00–4:30 p.m. | Cèilidh Community Dance with Haggis and Avocado
- 4:30 p.m. | Shortbread Contest Awards
- 4:30–5:00 p.m. | Highland Dancing with the San Jose School of Highland Dancing
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