Their mission is to carry on and promote the annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games and Gathering of Scottish Clans, to foster and restore interest in traditional dancing, piping, drumming, athletic achievement, music and Gaelic culture, and to establish scholarship funds to assist students from Avery County High School to study at American colleges and universities.

Click here to view the event schedule for the 2012 games.

There are athletic events for the young, including sack races and other field games, wrestling competition (clinic of Thursday and Friday, competition on Saturday morning on the infield) and junior versions of Scottish athletic events, including tossing the caber.

The field games take place on Sunday, starting at noon. These events are limited to children 12 and under. Ribbons will be given to all participants. No pre-registration is required.

(Image provided by Highland Games.)

Looking for more happenings in the area? Check out asheville.com's comprehensive visitor center.