Albany Scottish Festival brings Highland Games to Linn County | Local

Andy Puncochar throws a log as he competes during the Highland Games.

Albany Scottish Festival organizers Juston Alexander and Shelley Reed say the rain is “perfect Scottish weather”.

Heather Payne prepares to throw a weight over 20 pounds over a bar.

David Tate shows his ax throwing skills.

Trystan Nguyen strikes with a sword next to his blacksmith’s booth.

Robert Ayers and Evan Adams are representatives of Clan Hay. The two came to Albany to teach the community about Scotland’s influence on the world.

According to Shelley Reed from Albany, it was perfect Scottish weather.

When it rained at Timber Linn Park on Saturday morning, people gathered to watch athletes in kilts throw logs, throw stones, and heave sacks of sheaf with pitch forks.

The very first Albany Scottish Festival and Highland Games weren’t ruined by the wet weather.

“It was a bit of a mess,” said Reed, who organized the event. “We had to adapt to make something out of nothing, but I’m happy to have the event.”

Reed added that due to the weather, some vendors and athletes have decided not to come to the festival. However, she was still excited to finally see the long-awaited celebration.

The festival was hosted by Fire and Ice Celtic Events, a non-profit organization founded in 2018 by Reed and her sister Kindy Gregg. Dealers, athletes and community members came together to celebrate everything Scottish.

Albany resident Nicola Bowman said the weather wouldn’t stop her showing up.

Support local news coverage and the people who cover it by subscribing to the Albany Democrat Herald.

“It’s a lot of fun,” said Bowman. “I’ve wanted to say that since I heard about it. I wanted to find out whether it was raining or shining. “

Support local journalism

Your membership enables our reporting.

As participants walked the trail at various stalls and events, they had the opportunity to purchase a kilt, see some costumes, throw an ax, and eat a variety of foods. You could watch a blacksmith forge a sword, listen to live music from a Celtic band, and watch athletes throw a 28-pound weight over a bar.