John Blue House property
The century-old John Blue House was home to inventor John Blue Sr., whose Rex Guano fertilizer distributor and cotton planter, built with his father starting in 1886, changed farming; the shop and foundry across the street are now the Museum of Agriculture and History. Each October the Scotland County Highland Games take over the surrounding grounds, spread across about 46 acres with bleacher, bench and chair seating at a few spots and free general parking with a trolley. The free Friday Highland Fling and a Sunday Kirkin' of the Tartans round out the weekend.
Before you go
- Capacity
- Saturday Games site: about 46 acres
- Official site
- nc-rural-heritage.com
- Next festival here
- Scotland County Highland Games, Oct 2 to 4, 2026
Worth knowing before you go
- Seating is limited to bleachers, benches and chairs at specific spots, so bring a portable chair for the Friday Highland Fling.
- Unapproved personal tents are not allowed on the grounds.
- Yellow Lot-A parking is reserved for clans, societies and sponsors; everyone else uses free General Public Parking with a trolley.
- All routes funnel to Exit 183A on the Bypass, so check the driving directions before you go.
Festivals here
Venue basics: Free General Parking with trolley · About 46 acres of games grounds · Limited seating; bring a chair.
Is it for you
Choose it if
- You want free parking with a trolley and a genuinely historic backdrop.
- You're happy to bring your own chair for a day of Highland Games.
- You want a full weekend: Friday Fling, Saturday Games, Sunday Kirkin' of the Tartans.
Think twice if
- You were planning to pitch a personal tent: unapproved tents aren't allowed.
- You need guaranteed seating: most of it is limited and first-come.
Getting there and parking
Parking includes a Yellow Lot-A for clans, societies and sponsors, and free General Public Parking with a trolley into the games.
Driving directions are given from Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro and both directions of I-95, all routing to the Bypass US 15/401 exit and following signs to General Public Parking.
Accessibility
Seating is limited: bleachers around the Scottish Heavy Athletic events, benches at the Highland Dance venue and chairs at the Currie Ceilidh Tent. No seating is provided at the free Friday Highland Fling, so bring your own portable chair.
Service animals are allowed at the games; unapproved personal tents are not.
Confirm your specific needs with the venue before you travel (nc-rural-heritage.com).
Camping
We don't yet have confirmed information about camping at John Blue House. The venue's own pages are the place to check: nc-rural-heritage.com.
Food, water and what you can bring
Alongside the Saturday Games, a free Friday Highland Fling street event runs from 5:30 to 8:30pm at McDuffie Square in downtown Laurinburg (bring your own chair), and a free Kirkin' of the Tartans worship service is held Sunday morning at the Historic Old Laurel Presbyterian Church, founded in 1797.
Quick answers
Is parking free at the Scotland County Highland Games?
Yes, General Public Parking is free with a trolley in; a separate Yellow Lot-A serves clans, societies and sponsors.
How do I get to the Highland Games?
Driving directions from Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro and I-95 all route to the Bypass US 15/401 exit, following signs to General Public Parking.
Is there reserved seating at the Games?
Seating is limited to bleachers, benches and chairs at specific spots, so bring your own portable chair.
Can I bring my dog?
Only service animals are allowed at the games.
Can I set up my own tent?
No. Unapproved personal tents are not allowed on the grounds.
What else happens during the Games weekend?
A free Friday Highland Fling street event and a free Sunday Kirkin' of the Tartans worship service.
What is the history of the John Blue House?
It was the home of inventor John Blue Sr., who with his father built the Rex Guano fertilizer distributor and the John Blue cotton planter starting in 1886; the shop and foundry across the street is now the Museum of Agriculture and History.
A little history
The century-old John Blue House was the home of John Blue Sr., born in 1861, an inventor who with his father built the Rex Guano fertilizer distributor and the John Blue cotton planter starting in 1886. The shop and foundry across the street from the house now houses the Museum of Agriculture and History, and the site is run today by the Scotland County Historical Properties Commission with no paid staff.