The 22nd Annual Southwest Missouri Celtic Heritage Festival & Highland Games - Part 3 in a Series

Welcome to Clan Row ~ Where Heritage Comes Alive

What Is Clan Row?

Step into the heart of Celtic tradition at Clan Row, one of the most beloved features of the Southwest Missouri Celtic Heritage Festival & Highland Games. More than just a collection of tents - Clan Row is a living tapestry of ancestry, storytelling, and kinship.

Clan Row is where families and organizations representing Scottish, Irish, and Welsh clans gather to share their history, culture, and pride. Each booth is a gateway to centuries of tradition, offering festival-goers a chance to:

~ Discover their own clan connections

~ Learn about tartans, mottos, and ancestral homelands

~ Hear stories passed down through generations

~ Connect with others who share a common heritage 

Whether you're a seasoned genealogist or simply curious about your family history, Clan Row is a welcoming space to explore and celebrate your legacy.

More Than History ~ It's Family

At the heart of the Southwest Missouri Celtic Heritage Festival is a truth that runs deeper than tradition: the clans weren’t just historical groups, they were families. Bound by blood, loyalty, and shared stories, these clans carried their values across generations—and today, we carry them forward.

Whether you're tracing your lineage to the Highlands or simply drawn to the spirit of kinship, the festival is a place where everyone belongs. Each tartan tells a story. Each name echoes with legacy. And each gathering is a reminder that family isn’t just who you’re born to—it’s who you stand with.

Clan Activities ~ The Calling of the Clans: A Ceremony of Flame and Family

We host a traditional Calling of the Clans Torch Ceremony on Friday evening, as an opening of the festival. 

The Calling of the Clans is a torchlit procession steeped in tradition—once a rallying cry to battle, now a powerful symbol of unity, remembrance, and belonging. 

As dusk settles over the festival grounds, a hush falls across the crowd. The sound of bagpipes fills the air, as, one by one, torches pierce the twilight—each flame carried by a representative of a clan, each step echoing centuries of tradition.

Clan Row isn’t just a festival feature; it’s where our story begins. Long before Buffalo became a hub of community pride and Celtic celebration, Scottish and Irish settlers laid the foundation for the traditions we honor today. Their stories are our history, woven into the fabric of who we are.

In a world that moves fast, Clan Row offers something timeless: connection. It reminds us that we are part of something bigger—woven into a story that began long before us and will continue long after.

We invite you to take a stroll down Clan Row and soak in the rich history

Honored Clan

Each year, one Clan is selected as our Honored Clan, a distinction voted on by all Clans represented in Clan Row. The chosen Honored Clan receives the Southwest Missouri Celtic Festival Banner and proudly serves as an ambassador for our festival throughout the following year, representing us at every event they attend.

The Honored Clan

 ~ serves as the HOST CLAN for Clan Row

 ~ leads the line-up for the Calling of the Clans on Friday.

 ~ leads the “Parade of Tartans” for the noon Calling of the Clans Official Ceremonies on Saturday

This year's Honored Clan is the Brotherhood of Kilted Veterans.

2025 Clan List

Honored Clan ~ Brotherhood of Kilted Veterans

Clan Anderson                                            Clan Blue

Clan Buchanan                                           Clan Campbell

Clan Cochrane                                            Clan Davidson

Clan Donald                                                Clan Douglas

Clan Fraser                                                 Clan Henderson

Clan Keith                                                   Clan Kirkpatrick

Clan Lamont                                               Clan MacLeod

Clan MacGregor                                         Clan MacMillan

Clan MacPherson                                       Clan Maxwell

Clan Montgomery                                      Clan Scott

DAR                                                                Ozark Jacobites

Festival Weekend Schedule

Friday Night – Free Admission!

Kick off the Celtic celebration with a festive evening of music, heritage, and community. Admission is FREE on Friday night, with a preview of some of the incredible vendors and clans who will be featured throughout Saturday.

•  Activities begin at 5:00 PM. Enjoy live music, food, and cultural displays as the festival comes to life.
• 7:00 PM – Calling of the Clans Torch Ceremony A powerful and moving tradition, the Calling of the Clans honors ancestral ties and opens the weekend with unity and pride.

Saturday – Full Festival Experience

Gates open at 9:00 AM for a full day of Celtic heritage, entertainment, and family fun.

• ·       Highland Games begin at 9:00 AM and run throughout the day. Witness feats of strength, skill, and tradition in one of the festival’s most iconic events.
• ·       Live Music All Day 🎶 (Full schedule coming soon!)
• ·       Explore Clan Row, shop artisan vendors, enjoy delicious food, and discover interactive activities for all ages.

Admission at the gate Saturday -

$10 each for adults

$5 for senior citizens (age 60 or older) and children (ages 8-16)

Children 7 and under get in FREE.

Family Pass (2 adults & 2 children) $25

Reserve your tickets now and bring your family for a weekend of Celtic fun, food, and fierce competition—September 5 & 6, in Buffalo, MO!

Tickets are on sale now.

Saturday Entertainment Schedule

Looking to uplift local culture and community?

This festival thrives because of the people who believe in it—from generous sponsors to dedicated volunteers. If you’re looking for a meaningful way to support local culture, uplift community, and be part of something lasting—we’d love to have you with us. Whether you're a local business ready to sponsor or a community member eager to volunteer, we’d love to have you on board. Join us in bringing the Celtic spirit to life—Contact us today! 

The Missouri Arts Council, a state agency, has provided financial assistance for this project.

Thank you for following along with us for part 3 in our journey into the spirit of the Southwest Missouri Celtic Heritage Festival & Highland Games. This celebration isn’t just about music or tradition—it’s about community, connection, and honoring the stories that live on through every note, craft, and conversation.

In this series of posts, we’ll introduce you to the passionate vendors who craft with heart and history, as well as the flavors that nourish both body and spirit.  We'll also explore the Traditional Highland Games.

Come back soon. There’s so much more to discover; we can’t wait to welcome you back.

Slàinte,
The Festival Team

If you missed part one and part two in this series, you can find them here: 

Echoes of the Highlands, right here in the Ozarks. Kilts, pipes, and timeless tradition.

From Bagpipes to Celtic Fusion ~ Tradition Meets Innovation at the SWMO Celtic Heritage Festival