Scottish Weekend
January 27 – 29, 2023
The halls of the Mountain House echo with the sound of bagpipes as the Mohonk grounds transform into the highlands of Scotland! Our Scottish Weekend features award-winning musicians, concerts, workshops, Scottish history, Scotch whisky tasting, the “Address to the Haggis,” Scottish country dance, bagpipe-playing, and kilt-making.
Availability is limited. For reservations, please call .
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
FRIDAY, JANUARY 27
Welcome Tea and Scottish Treats!
Join us for afternoon tea and cookies to begin the weekend of Scottish festivities.
Live Music
Annual Mohonk Ceilidh
The evening show is followed by the annual Mohonk Ceilidh, a Gàidhlig (Scottish Gaelic) word meaning “a visit.” We invite you to “visit” with us in the Parlor and enjoy the opportunity to share a song, poem, story, “party piece,” or to simply sit back, listen, and enjoy and perhaps sing along to some Scottish favorites. Meet the performers and fellow Mohonk guests during this very special tradition of the Mohonk Scottish Weekend.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 28
Kilt Making Display
We are so pleased to welcome back the well-known kiltmaker Bonnie Heather Greene of Bonniekilts. She will be available throughout the weekend to answer your questions about kilts and tartans and will bring resources, books, and samples for those who wish to research their family tartan!
Celtic Art Workshop with Patrick Gallagher
Patrick has spent over twenty years as an artist, lecturer, master printmaker, and teacher of the Celtic Arts, sharing his passion at over 500 events to date. Patrick has helped make Celtic Art a modern phenomenon and his work is archived by the UCLA School of Architecture and Design. Join him and discover an art form thousands of years young.
Music Workshop
Enjoy a fascinating look into traditional Scottish music. This casual workshop is a chance to learn about jigs, reels and strathspeys and hear demonstrations as well. If you have an instrument and wish to bring it along, please feel free to do so as there will probably be the opportunity to jam and play along!
Bagpipe Workshop
Did you know there are several different kinds of bagpipes from Scotland? There are bagpipes suitable for all kinds of occasions! Learn about when and where they were played, how and what they were made of, and hear some old tunes from different regions.
Afternoon Tea
Join us for afternoon tea and cookies with Scottish tunes.
Scotch Whisky Tasting*
“To Friar John Cor, by order of the King, to make aqua vitea, VIII bolls of malt.” –Exchequer Rolls of Scotland, 1 June 1495.
According to the Scotch Whisky Association, Scotch whisky evolved from a Scottish drink called uisqe beatha, which means “water of life.” The earliest record of distillation in Scotland occurred as long ago as 1494. Join Scotch distributor Michael Mednikoff as he shares insights on fine Scottish whiskies.
*Please Note: Pre-registration is required. $75 per person program fee for admittance. Space is limited. Participants must be age 21 or over to attend.
Address to the Haggis and Tribute to Robert Burns
Enjoy the annual procession into the Main Dining Room for dinner, followed by a traditional Address to the Haggis.
But mark the Rustic, haggis fed,
The trembling earth resounds his tread.
Clap in his walie naive a blade,
He’ll mak it whissle;
An’ legs an’ arms, an’ heads will sned,
Like taps o’ thrissle.
–”Address to Haggis” by Robert Burns
Classic Scottish Concert
SUNDAY, JANUARY 29
Gaelic Language and Song
Our program coordinator, Caroline Bennett, will introduce you to Scottish Gaelic , or Gàidhlig, through simple Gaelic greetings in this fun and interactive workshop. You will also learn about Gaelic song and in particular the scope of work songs in the Gaelic song tradition.
“Work songs were commonplace in Scotland for hundreds of years. No matter what the activity, there would be a song to accompany it and match the speed at which it was being undertaken. These songs also served a social purpose, as they enabled people to relate specific thoughts about their communities and the subjects which were important to them. Songs sung together also generated a bond between the participants, giving a sense of attachment and of sharing experiences while toiling together.” Tobar an Dualchais
Crofting: The Last Remnants of the Scottish Clan System
Crofting is a form of small farming unique to Scotland. Although the legislation governing and controlling crofting is recent, it is in fact the last remnant of the old Scottish Clan system which can be dated back to the 13th century and probably older. The story of crofting is typically Scottish – long, drawn out and with lots of turbulent times. However, it has been remarkably resilient and is now a legally recognized and distinct culture, social group and means of self-sufficiency in an area of Europe with very little by way of natural resources compared to the size of the landmass whereon it is practiced. The future for crofting is looking good despite these modern times of Climate Change, pandemics, governments who are out of touch with the people etc. It is successfully growing and attracting young people to the way of life of the crofter more than ever before in its history.
PAST PROGRAM LEADERS
Caroline Bennett
Caroline Bennett is joining us for her ninth year as our program coordinator for Scottish Weekend at Mohonk Mountain House. She hails from the UK and was introduced to Scottish music, song, and dance by her Scottish mother. She is passionate about Gaelic song and the Gaelic language, is a singer, weaver and spinner and regularly participates in traditional waulkings with her own woven cloth. She has received awards for Gaelic singing and has lately been composing original Gaelic poetry and songs, one of which received second place in the Royal National Mòd in Scotland. Four of her original songs were featured in a series of programs on new Gaelic singers and songwriters presented on the BBC byy Gillebride MacMillan this January and her poetry was also short-listed in the Gaelic Poetry catgory of the Wigtown Poetry Prize in Scotland in 2021. Caroline has also performed extensively as a Scottish Country Dancer and has received her Part 1 teaching certification.
Caledonia
Caledonia is Caroline Bennett and Al Burgasser, both of Scottish descent who perform a wide variety of Scottish music. Caroline is passionate about Scottish song, Scottish Gaelic and the role of poetry and song in the Scottish oral tradition. She has received gold and silver medals in the North Carolina Mòd and second place for one of her original Gaelic songs in the Royal National Mòd in Scotland. Four of her original songs are to be featured in a series of programs on new Gaelic singers and songwriters presented on the BBC by Gillebride MacMillan early in 2022. Al Burgasser has been a performing singer/songwriter for longer than he would like to admit, and is currently very active in the western Connecticut music scene. He is very active full time in performing, organizing musical events, sound and video production and collaborating with others to encourage participation in live music whenever he can. Al first met Caroline Bennett in 2016 at a local song circle in Sherman, CT. and quickly became very interested in Gaelic music and culture. They have since been collaborating on recording original songs, producing videos, and performing together as the duo Caledonia.
Bonnie Heather Green
Bonnie Heather Green has been a professional kiltmaker since 2006. She was apprenticed to her beloved teacher, Ann Stewart who was born in Scotland. Bonnie has carried on the craft of making hand sewn kilts. She is happy to display different kinds of kilts for men, women, highland dancers, pipe bands, and even children and babies. Also, she will share information about how to find your clan and Scottish connections. Several tartan swatch books will be displayed to see and feel the tartan fabric. Other tartan and clan reference books will also be available.
Steve Blamires
Steve Blamires is from the Isle of Arran in the west of Scotland where the Gaelic language and Celtic culture are still strong. For the past 25 years he has traveled the world on small expedition ships, mainly with National Geographic, as an historian, international tour guide, and cultural expert. He has several books in print, has appeared on TV and radio on both sides of the Atlantic, and regularly gives presentations at conferences and events. His presentations are informative, relevant and often from a unique perspective. When he is not on the High Seas, he leads small group tours to Scotland, hosts his own Celtic music radio show, and is on the board of directors of The American Center for Folk Music.
Mike MacNintch
Mike MacNintch has been piping since 1977, learning from PM Avery Head, of the Syracuse Scottish Pipe Band. He later joined the Manchester Pipe Band, under the direction of PM Chuck Murdoch, which is one of our oldest bands, have been founded in 1914. He is the instructor for the Police Pipes & Drums of Waterbury Connecticut, and has worked with the Catamount Pipe Band of Vermont. Mike is the Pipe Major of the Stephen P. Driscoll Memorial Pipe Band of Carmel, New York, and is a founding member of Bagad New York, the only Breton style pipe band in North America. He plays a variety of Scottish, Irish and Western European bagpipes and has been a prominent figure in the revival of Scottish smallpipes in the Northeast. A stalwart of the pipe band scene, Mike has also played at festivals, workshops, dances and concerts for over 40 years. Based in the Hudson Valley, he makes and repairs bagpipes, teaches and performs.
The Castle Point Scottish Country Dancers
The Castle Point Scottish Country Dancers are managed by Elizabeth Buonomo and dance in tri-state area branches of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society. All have studied traditional dance and music for many years and share a passion for the grace, intricacy, and pure fun of Scottish Country Dance. The ensemble team this year includes six members who will present both modern and traditional dances. Elizabeth Buonomo has been dancing Scottish for more than 15 years. She works as a psychotherapist, an Alexander Technique teacher, and a Scottish Country Dance instructor. She is delighted to bring her team back to Mohonk and to revive the wonderful spirit of this enduring dance form.
The Sky Top Highland Dancers
The Sky Top Highland Dancers, named after the famous and beautiful lookout point at Mohonk, are NYC-based Highland Dancers Kendra Monroe and Emily Ritter. 2021 marks the 9th and 6th year, respectively, that these dancers will perform during this celebratory weekend. Kendra and Emily met through Shot of Scotch NYC, for which Emily still performs, and both still teach through Kendra’s NYC-based lessons, Monroe School of Highland Dance. As certified highland dance teachers and premier level champion dancers, they are excited to share their passion for this endurance demanding Scottish art form.
Highland Oasis
Highland Oasis celebrates the vibrant music of Scotland. Merging the talents of three accomplished dance musicians, the results range from lyrical to exuberant, stately to driving. Pianist and band leader Jim Stevenson-Mathews has been playing regularly for Scottish dances and workshops since 1992, and played for his first Scottish Weekend at Mohonk in 2011. Fiddler Mara Shea began playing for Scottish dancing in 1999 in North Carolina, and joined Highland Oasis at Mohonk in 2011. Fiddler Rebecca McCallum began playing for Scottish dances in Rochester, NY in 1997, and in 2012 became a part of Highland Oasis. All three share a passion for the rhythms and melodies of the Scottish Isles. For more on Highland Oasis, please visit https://www.facebook.com/HighlandOasis/.
Michael Mednikoff
Michael Mednikoff, Regional Sales Manager with Empire Merchants North has over 27 years in the alcoholic beverage industry. He is a certified beverage professional covering the Hudson Valley and is also a certified wine and spirits trainer for Empire Merchants. He has a true passion for Scotch, Whiskey, and Bourbon, and has spent time at some of the largest Scotch producers in Scotland.
Availability is limited. For reservations, please call .