Workshop Stage

Worry no more about your precious woolens! This home-grown seminar will provide information on wool preservation, including identifying, cleaning, repairing, and storing the woolen components of your favorite Scottish outfit.

Great kilt folding is the traditional method of arranging, pleating, and wrapping the feileadh mòr — the original, full‑length Highland garment made from 6–9 yards of wool tartan. The “folding” is the process of manually creating pleats each time you wear it.

Exploring the Scottish harp: Traditions, Trivia and Tunes

Come learn how the clarsach and it’s music have changed over the centuries and how both continue to evolve in the current day. Stephanie Claussen will play a few tunes to demonstrate and we’ll also chat harp trivia: were harp strings ever actually made out of gold? Is it harper or harpist? And how accurate were the harp scenes in “Outlander” anyway? We’ll save some time for Q&A at the end.

Photo by Michael Bersin

Introduction to Lowland and Border Piping Tradition

If you’ve ever wondered about the piping traditions that predate the Highland Bagpipe or are simply curious about Scotland’s rich musical heritage, this workshop is a fantastic opportunity to briefly explore those roots.

We’ll delve into the traditions of the lowland regions of Scotland, which cover areas not part of the highlands or islands. These include the eastern territories from Banffshire southwards, as well as zones south of the Clyde and Forth river basins. The area just north of these rivers, stretching up to Stirling, serves as a fascinating ‘marginal’ region bridging lowland and highland cultures.

The term ‘Border’ is central to our discussion, highlighting the shared cultural tapestry that stretches across the border between England and Scotland. This includes northern regions such as Cumberland in the west and Northumberland in the east. It’s important to note that much of this southern area is not strictly lowland; in fact, it features prominent upland landscapes like the Scottish Southern Uplands and the moors of Cumberland and Northumberland.

Join us to learn more about these vibrant traditions, their unique histories, and how they’ve shaped the piping cultures we know today.

The Lowland and Border Pipers Society – Minnesota Branch
Russell Lane

Are you a beginner in climbing your family tree?

Learn from the Minnesota Genealogical Center’s Library Manager, Jeanne Bielke-Rodenbiker. We will do a brief overview of the best sources, how to research, and some pitfalls to avoid in order to make progress towards your genealogy goals. Information about resources from the Minnesota Genealogical Center will also be provided.

About Jeanne: Jeanne is the library manager for the Hoffman Research library at the Minnesota Genealogy Center. She manages the library and collections, teaches classes and helps patrons with their family research. Formerly with Hennepin County library, Jeanne has been helping people with their research for 30+ years.

Step into the world of the Viking Age through immersive storytelling that brings history, legend, and myth to life. Viking Encampment’s skilled storytellers captivate audiences with dramatic retellings of Norse myths, heroic sagas, and tales drawn from the medieval sources. From the deeds of gods and monsters to the adventures of explorers, warriors, and kings, each performance blends entertainment with historical context, creating an engaging experience for audiences of all ages.