Keep an Ear Out

Written By: Johanna Fein, Highlands Chamber of Commerce/ Visit Highlands, NC | Issue: April 2025

Get ready for a delightful surprise as the stirring sounds of bagpipes fill the air in downtown Highlands. This spring through fall, visitors and locals alike can experience the magic of pop-up bagpipe performances, presented by the Highlands Chamber of Commerce.

The Pop-Up Pipers will appear in unexpected locations throughout downtown Highlands on select Saturdays from 4:30 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. Keep an ear out on the following dates: May 3, June 7, July 12, August 2, September 6, and October 4, but exactly where they’ll play remains a mystery, adding an element of spontaneous joy to each performance.

Featuring Margaret Tooke and Glenn Morris, the talented musicians behind Highlands Bagpipers, these performances celebrate the region’s rich Scottish and Irish heritage. They pay tribute to the early settlers and laborers who helped shape Highlands’ cultural fabric while also honoring the town’s longstanding reputation as a haven for artists and musicians.

“Whether you’ve called Highlands home for years or you’re just visiting for the day, these pop-up performances are sure to bring a smile and create a memorable moment,” says Kaye McHan, executive director of the Highlands Chamber of Commerce/Visit Highlands, NC.

For more information go to visithighlandsnc.com or call (828) 526-2112.