Scottish Society of Wilmington
Celebrating Scottish culture and heritage in North Carolina's historic Cape Fear region
Spring 2026
President's Message
Ceud mìle fàilte—one hundred thousand welcomes—to this latest edition of The Whistlin’ Thistle.
It has been some time since our last issue, and I am especially pleased to see the return of this important thread that connects our members, our stories, and our shared sense of heritage. A newsletter like this does more than inform—it reflects who we are as a Society and how we carry forward the traditions we value. After all, without a newsletter, how else would we keep track of one another—certainly not by following the sound of the pipes alone (though that would be the most reliable method).
I would like to extend a warm welcome and sincere thanks to our new editor, Topher Davis (who is also Vice President), for stepping forward to take on this role. Producing a publication such as this requires both dedication and care, and we are grateful for his willingness to help bring the voice of the Scottish Society of Wilmington back to life in these pages.
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We have also had a change to our Board of Directors. Due to other obligations, Otis White has stepped down from the Board. We thank him for his service and wish him well, and look forward to seeing both him and Barbara at future events. At nearly the same time, Bill MacSorley let me know he was ready to become more involved again. We are pleased to welcome Bill back to the Board and look forward to seeing more of him—and Pam—in the months ahead.
As we look ahead, this is shaping up to be an active and meaningful season for SSOW. Our Spring Cèilidh, the Port City Highland Games, and other gatherings on the horizon offer wonderful opportunities to come together in celebration of Scottish culture and community. Whether you join us on the field, under the tent, or around a table with friends, these moments are what bring our mission to life.
I would encourage each of you to think about how you might take part—by attending events, volunteering, sharing your own stories, or simply reconnecting with fellow members. A society such as ours thrives not through the efforts of a few, but through the engagement of many.
Thank you for being part of this community, and for helping to carry forward a living tradition.
Slàinte mhath,
Catherine
From the Editor's Desk
​Lots of Great things have been happening since you got your last issue of the Whistlin’ Thistle. It’s been a flurry of activity for all the members of the Scottish Society of Wilmington. Burns Dinners, Famous Authors, Battle Reenactments, and Monument Dedications. It has been a very busy winter here along the Cape Fear Coast. We have great plans in the coming months rapidly approaching also.
So rather than tease you anymore, lets jump right into what’s happened and what is happening around town for us.
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Topher
Port City Highland Games – Volunteers Welcome
​The Port City Highland Games return to Wilmington on May 30, 2026, bringing a full day of Scottish heritage, athletics, and community celebration to the Lower Cape Fear region.
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Now in its fifth year, the Games continue to grow, featuring traditional Highland athletic competitions, clan tents, cultural programming, and a wide range of vendors. SSOW is proud to help shape the cultural experience, ensuring that the stories and traditions behind the spectacle remain front and center.
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As a charitable event benefiting paws4vets, the Games also support an important mission—providing service dogs to veterans in need.
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We are actively seeking volunteers to help make the day a success. Opportunities are available for setup, day-of support, and cleanup, with roles to fit a variety of interests and energy levels. Whether you can give a few hours or the full day, your time and effort will make a meaningful difference.
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To sign up, click here or scan the volunteer QR code to choose your shift.
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Tickets, registrations, and applications are now open—and if you’ve ever wanted to be part of what makes the Games happen, this is your chance.
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Join us on May 30—on the field, behind the scenes, or simply in celebration.
Cape Fear Scottish Immigration Memorial
​In 2019, a group of men and women decided that the immense contribution that Scots made to the United States, and particularly the state of North Carolina, needed to be recognized and celebrated. It began with the “simple” idea of a memorial statue to recognize the tens of thousands of Scottish immigrants that developed and spread across North Carolina. I put simple in quotation marks because that beginning group of supporters had no idea on all the roadblocks that would appear as they began their quest to memorialize the Scots. A global pandemic, national controversies, local and state bureaucracies all slowed the progress. Now nearly 7 years later, the Cape Fear Scottish Immigration Memorial exists at Brunswick Town. It’s a beautiful sight by the Cape Fear River and the official dedication was Friday November 14th 2025.
Brunswick Town is a State Historic Site situated on the old town site of Brunswick. Brunswick was named to honor King George I of England. It housed 2 different royal governors of the colony so in essence was the colonial capital for a period. The site has been at the forefront through the Revolutionary War and the Civil War through to modern times. It was also a significant port to export Naval Stores bake to the home country and other colonies. This included tar and pitch which are products derived from the long leaf pine tree and considered essential for ships of the time. As these naval stores left the port a different type of import came through Brunswick to spread across North Carolina. Scottish immigrants, as part of the diaspora of thousands who left Scotland and emigrated to the New World looking for a new start. A majority of Scot immigrants came through the ports of Brunswick and Wilmington. They then spread across the state of North Carolina making a lifelong impact on different aspects of the state.
With the dedication of the cairn happening, the Cape Fear Scottish Immigration Memorial Fund can turn their eyes to the next step being embarked upon. As the plans for the development of the cairn and its placement were being processed, a new goal was created by the fund. The North Carolina Scottish Trek will commemorate the impact of the Scots on North Carolina and more than simply Wilmington. An idea was born that a Scots heritage trail would be created that highlights points of impact across the state that eventually leads to Grandfather Mountain in the Appalachian Mountains. If anyone has ever seen the mountains in Western NC, they look almost identical to the Highlands of Scotland. This will be a series of commemorative plaques or cairns along the trail with historical markers and culminating in the meadow at where the annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games are held.
So stop by the cairn at Brunswick Town any day (except Sunday and Monday), and you can see what the Fund and their supporters are all about. Brunswick Town State Historic Site is at 8884 St. Phillips Rd SE, Winnabow NC 28479. And if you want to know more about the Cape Fear Scottish Immigration Memorial Fund or to make a contribution to support their plans you can find that website here
By the Hearth
Book Review
Anyone that knows me is aware that I am an avid reader. Who am I kidding, I’m addicted to reading and always have been. So, as I have expanded my library, I’m going to share with you, dear readers, a book review of different books relating to Scotland in this section. Some will be histories, some fiction, some economical, and all 100% my opinion. These will be short and sweet, and I will rate it on a 1-5 scale with 5 being highly recommended.
King and Outlaw: The Real Robert the Bruce
By
Chris Brown
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Robert the Bruce is probably the most famous of all the Kings of Scotland. He has been memorialized in films and tv documentaries, as well as, books and articles. I first read about him in an aside in a national geographic in the late 1970’s (yes I’m dating myself there). Most people have heard of him through the movie Braveheart directed by Mel Gibson. While the movie did wonders for Scottish Pride and is a cinematic marvel, it is entirely historically inaccurate and rife with mistakes. This is a battle for another day. Today we are looking at a book by Chris Brown that deals with the story of The Bruce. Mr. Brown’s aim is to dispel myths about the man and insure that the King Robert the Bruce is shown in a positive light but also revealing his true nature and mistakes and successes also. Its written with an eye to the normal reader rather than a boring musty tome of facts and figures.
The author has studied battlefields extensively and designed and delivered numerous for Edinburgh University. You can tell that he has an academic background from the organization of the book. It is well written with extensive graphs and explanations and a solid timeline to show you the progress of the Bruce’s life. Dr. Brown includes numerous interesting stories and extensively the different situations throughout region that led to his determinations and decisions to be King of the Scots. This is a solid book that I recommend with 4 out of 5 stars. It’s an enjoyable read and it gives a reliable review of Robert the Bruce and his life
Burns Supper 2026
​In what has become a tradition, the Scottish Society hosted our annual Burns Supper. It was a wonderful night packed full of people dressed in their favorite Highland wear. Tartans galore and great music as the night progressed.
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We are blessed to have a wonderful presenter, Bob Livingstone, who does a truly amazing rendition of Burns’ “Address to a Haggis” Every year he exceeds expectations and gets everyone ready to try that delicious treat.
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Thanks to our special guest, Jennifer Licko, after the ending of the speeches and the dinner, the floor was cleared for a Ceilidh with wonderful music and dancing. During dinner, Jennifer, the driving force behind The Scottish Outreach Center (see Kids Corner below) and the Highland Echoes shows, entertained us with some music from her forthcoming album.
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This was the 33rd(sic) Edition of the Scottish Society of Wilmington’s Robert Burns Dinner celebrating the bard and his work and it never fails to entertain.
Outlander at the Cape Fear
The Society was blessed to be able to welcome Diana Gabaldon, the author of the Outlander Series, to the Wilmington area for both the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Moore’s Creek and a general weekend in the Cape Fear area that is so integral to her book series. Mrs. Gabaldon was an outstanding guest who had a very busy weekend interacting with her fans at the battlefield. She subsequently attended a commemoration at the Scottish Memorial at Brunswick Town Historical Park and a member’s reception at the Burgin-Wright House. It was a catered affair with everyone having a great time from the feedback I received.
Many thanks to the great people at Burgin-Wright especially Hunter Ingram and his hospitality. If you love Outlander like we do you should definitely listen to Hunter’s Podcast called “Outlander in the Cape Fear”
Touring in Scotland
Everyone should get the chance to travel and see the home of our ancestors. I’ve been blessed to get to travel back and see different parts of Scotland. One of the best parts of those tours has been the tour trips of Rabbies tour guides based out of Edinburgh. Rabbies does day trips through 7-day overnight visits with set itineraries. I’ve done 2 different tours with them and had an absolute blast with both. They do small sized tours limited to 12-15 people generally with a tour guide driving you and having a coach ride through places and towns.
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With my son, we toured the borders with Scotland and England and then a Roman fortification expedition site and the town of Jedburgh. We also got to walk along a stretch of Hadrian’s Wall and have an ice cream snack in Moffat, a quant Scottish Village famous for their toffee.
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2 years later I did a trip through the highland with my wife and went to Loch Ness. We didn’t see Nessie but we did get to see lots of beautiful scenery. A slow afternoon ride through Glencoe and the horizon seemed to soar into the sky.
In both instances the rides were fun, the guides were very knowledgeable, and the portions of Scotland that we experienced were second to none. It was a wonderful trip and I highly recommend if you find yourself in Edinburgh that a day trip with Rabbies is the way to go.
Wanda L. Moore Celtic Music Scholarship
The Wanda L. Moore Celtic Music Scholarship was established to assist musicians and vocalists who wish to pursue additional study in Celtic music. Recipients receive a $1000 award to be used for classes and private lessons to expand their expertise and proficiency, and to further their knowledge of Celtic music repertoire and history. The Scholarship is made possible by the Scottish Society of Wilmington (SSOW), a 501(c)3 organization supporting Scottish culture, history, education, and activities in North Carolina since 1993.
About Wanda L. Moore
Wanda L. Moore was part of the original group of charter members who came together to form the SSOW. She served as the second president, from 1997 to 1998, and remained a lifelong member. She grew up on a farm near Wilson, NC, graduated from ECU in Greenville to become a middle-school teacher, married and settled in Wilmington. Being raised in a musical family with fiddles, guitars, piano and harmony singing, she wanted her legacy with the SSOW to include assistance to promising talent and to future generations.
Application Criteria
Applicants can be instrumentalists or vocalists.
Applicants must have intermediate or above proficiency in their specialty.
Applicants must be under the age of 26 on December 31 or the year in which they apply. There is no minimum age, but applicant must show evidence of dedication, talent and progress appropriate to their age as noted above.
Applicant or Applicant’s family must be members* of the SSOW and applicant must reside in North Carolina.
Applications may be submitted anytime between January 1 and April 1. Checks will be distributed by June 10. ​
Upcoming Events
Spring Cèilidh & Beer Release Party
Sunday, May 17, 3:00 - 6:00 PM
Flying Machine Brewing Company
3130 Randall Pkwy, Wilmington, NC
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A Scottish cèilidh (pronounced kay-lee) is a traditional social gathering or dance event that originated in Scotland (and Ireland). Cèilidhs are known for their lively and inclusive atmosphere, featuring traditional Celtic music, dancing, and socializing.
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We may not have dancing, but we'll have haggis, puppies from paws4people, the debut of Flying Machine's Loch Lomond Scottish Ale, brewed specially for the Port City Highland Games, and music from The Blarney Brogues!
5th Annual Port City Highland Games
Saturday, May 30, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
3600 ​Randall Parkway, Wilmington, NC
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Join us for the Fifth Annual Highland Games! The event is benefiting the paw4vets foundation and will feature professional athletes, clan tents, vendors, food trucks, music, Highland dancing, British car show, and more!. Learn about the region and your heritage in the new Heritage Row!
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This is SSOW's premiere event and we need your help to build and grow! Please consider volunteering (see above) and be sure to come out and support our effort to make the PCHG the #1 event in the Southeast!
Crioch
(Finish)
So this is the end of the March Thistle. It has been a pleasure to send these words into the internet and hope they find a home and maybe gave a little information as well. This is my first attempt at something like this so bear with me as it will hopefully become more professional and informative both. Thank you for your time and I hope to see you soon.
Kids Corner
Brought to us by the Scottish Outreach Foundation, a non-profit charity dedicated to preserving Scottish heritage and culture through performing arts and various educational programs.
