Lyon College
Lyon College sits in Batesville, Arkansas, 90 miles from Little Rock and 110 miles from Memphis, with miles of hiking and biking trails across its historic campus. The Arkansas Scottish Festival, now called ScotsFest, has run here since 1979 and moved into the central area of campus in 2004. Gates open at 8am on Saturday, with opening ceremonies at noon and a parade of massed bands and clans.
Before you go
- Indoor or outdoor
- Both: indoor college buildings and outdoor trails and open campus space
- Official site
- lyon.edu
- Next festival here
- The Arkansas Scottish Festival, Oct 23 to 25, 2026
Worth knowing before you go
- Gates open at 8am, but opening ceremonies don't start until noon.
- Electric vehicle charging is available in the crescent lot across from the Welcome Center.
- The festival has used this campus since 1979, moving into the central campus area in 2004.
- The Flyway Brewing Co. Entertainment Zone serves all you can eat and drink alongside live music.
Festivals here
Venue basics: On a college campus with trails · Gates open 8am, ceremony at noon · EV charging available on site.
Is it for you
Choose it if
- You like a festival with deep roots at the same campus since 1979.
- You want a full day from breakfast through to an evening ceilidh.
Think twice if
- You want to arrive right at opening ceremonies: gates actually open four hours earlier, at 8am.
Getting there and parking
Lyon College is in Batesville, Arkansas, 90 miles from Little Rock and 110 miles from Memphis. From Little Rock, follow US-167 north to Batesville and watch for the green signs marking the way to campus, about a 1.5 hour drive.
Festival-specific · Arkansas Scottish FestivalElectric vehicle charging stations are available in the crescent parking lot across from the Lyon College Welcome Center. Gates open at 8am on Saturday morning, and opening ceremonies begin at noon with a parade of massed bands and clans.
Accessibility
We don't yet have confirmed information about accessibility at Lyon College. The venue's own pages are the place to check: lyon.edu.
Camping
We don't yet have confirmed information about camping at Lyon College. The venue's own pages are the place to check: lyon.edu.
Food, water and what you can bring
Festival-specific · Arkansas Scottish FestivalThe day starts with a Scottish breakfast from the food vendors, and a feast and ceilidh, a party with music and dancing, finishes it off. The Flyway Brewing Co. Entertainment Zone offers all you can eat and drink alongside live music during the day.
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Quick answers
What time do gates open for the Arkansas Scottish Festival?
Gates open at 8am on Saturday morning, with opening ceremonies at noon.
Is there EV charging at Lyon College?
Yes. Electric vehicle charging stations are in the crescent parking lot across from the Welcome Center.
Can I get food and drink at the festival?
Yes. There's a Scottish breakfast from food vendors, a feast and ceilidh at the end of the day, and the Flyway Brewing Co. Entertainment Zone for all you can eat and drink.
How far is Lyon College from Little Rock?
About 90 miles, roughly a 1.5 hour drive north on US-167.
How long has the festival been held at Lyon College?
Since 1979, when it began as a small fair on the campus intramural field. It moved into the central area of campus in 2004.
Is Lyon College's campus walkable?
Yes, with miles of hiking and biking trails across the historic campus.
A little history
Lyon College moved to its current campus in 1954. The campus has miles of hiking and biking trails, set in the Ozark foothills.
The festival, now called ScotsFest, was established in 1979 on the college campus to honor the Scottish heritage of its Presbyterian founders. It began as a small fair on the campus intramural field during homecoming, grew onto a larger surrounding area, and moved again in 2004 into the central area of the college campus.