Scottish Heritage Discovery Center

A Bold Step Foward

The Home for Scottish American
Heritage in North America

The Vision

No Place Like This Exists Yet

Millions of Americans proudly trace their roots to Scotland, yet no institution in the United States comprehensively honors their heritage. The Scottish Heritage Discovery Center will change that, serving as a dynamic cultural and educational hub where those stories are interpreted, preserved, and celebrated for generations.

Discovery Center Plan & Progress

Follow the journey as we build the nation's first Scottish Heritage institution

Interactive Exhibits

Interactive exhibits exploring Scottish history, traditions and global influence

Workshops & Classes

Workshops and hands-on interactive experiences for all ages, especially younger generations

Exhibits & Collections

18th Century Tartan

Gaelic Items

The Coconut Charm

Photos by Bill Caudill and Bruce Hamilton.

Visit our Exhibits & Collections of Scottish History

Explore Now

Upcoming Events

Port City Highland Games

May 30, 2026 in Wilmington, NC

Look for the Scottish Heritage USA Tent

https://www.portcityhighlandgames.com/

Grandfather Mountain Highland Games

July 10-12 in Linville, NC

Look for the Scottish Heritage USA Tent

We'll be just inside the main gate Friday through Sunday.

gmhg.org

Scotland County Highland Games

October 3 in Laurinburg, NC

Look for the Scottish Heritage USA Tent

http://www.carolina-highlandgames.com/

View All Upcoming Events

Become Part of Making the Plan a Reality

This is a rare moment. A national institution dedicated to Scottish-American heritage has never existed, and you have the opportunity to help build it from the ground up. Whether you give, volunteer, or spread the word, your involvement moves this from a vision into something real and lasting.

Get Involved

Latest Articles & News

Status Report
April 6, 2025
National Tartan Day

Thank you to everyone who has been supportive since the closure of St. Andrews University last May and the subsequent closure and end of the Scottish Heritage Center. A LOT has been accomplished over the past 10 months since the closing, so I wanted to update you on our progress toward a new home for these collections and share some immediate needs. I hope that some of my friends and interested parties will help! This is for all of us - and for the future!

Learn More

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“Americans feel a particular connection to Scotland, and they account for one fifth of Scotland’s overseas visitors. For these reasons, I feel confident that the proposed Scottish Heritage Discover Center would be well supported and the fascination we continue to see for “things Scottish” would make this a sustainable entity.”

— Fiona Ritchie, D.Hum.Litt, MBE - Producer of NPR’s “The Thistle and Shamrock,” acclaimed broadcaster, producer, writer. Dunkeld, Perthshire, Scotland

“We support the vision to reopen a Scottish Heritage Center in North Carolina…As the largest Clan Association in the country, Clan Donald USA looks forward to a continuing relationship with the new “Scottish Heritage Discovery Center.”

— David Macdonald of Castle Camus High Commissioner, Clan Donald, USA, 4th Great Grandson of Allan and Flora Macdonald of Kingsburgh

“The Scottish Heritage Center was a vibrant and vital part of our community. Its success proved the deep support for our Scottish heritage in this region and how historic tourism can impact a community. Any future effort to preserve this heritage would be met with the same enthusiasm.”

— Chris English Laurinburg, NC Chairman, Laurinburg-Scotland County Chamber of Commerce

“With your knowledge, experience, wisdom and leadership with the materiel you have preserved, with the help of the community you nurtured so well, and with support from generous and farsighted friends of North Carolina’s rich Scottish heritage, you cannot help but succeed. Like a vintner who took cuttings from roots planted at St. Andrews, you stand ready to plant a new and, I suspect, better cultural vineyard in new North Carolina soil.”

— Darrell and Diana Hancock Kingwood, Texas Visitors and donors to the former Scottish Heritage Center, St. Andrews University

“The synergy of locating a Scottish Heritage Discovery Center in a community which has Scottish ties to golf as well as local history in addition to being a vibrant and growing area which is close to a major airport and other transportation opportunities is incredible. There’s no doubt it can succeed. These are just the types of links we look for in economic development.”

— Ernest Gilchrist, Dunwoody, Georgia, Economic Development and Retention Officer – DeKalb County, Georgia Author, and featured personality on the recent PBS documentary “Voices Over the Water”

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