Watch this space for future events and follow us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/maineulsterscots for updates and current news.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Learn more about the Scottish Prisoners from the Battle of Dunbar and what they endured BEFORE they were transported to New England.
Join us for this important free lecture presented by the Maine Ulster-Scots Project.
JUNE 2, 2025 7:00PM
Wolfe’s Neck Center, 184 Burnett Rd. Freeport, Maine
Chris Gerrard, Professor of Archaeology at Durham University (UK) and team leader for the Scottish Soldiers Project will present:
'Lost Lives, New Worlds. Unlocking the story of the 1650 Scottish Soldiers buried in Durham (UK)'
In November 2013 archaeologists observing building work near Durham Cathedral (UK) made an unexpected and unusual discovery when disordered tumbles of articulated skeletons were uncovered in two mass graves. Over the next three years, a complex jigsaw of evidence was pieced together by a team of researchers in order to establish the identity of the human remains.
Today we know them to be some of the SCOTTISH PRISONERS who died in terrible circumstances in Durham Cathedral and Castle following the Battle of Dunbar on the south-east coast of Scotland on 3rd September 1650. Using the latest techniques of archaeological science, it has been possible to reconstruct how and why these men vanished off the historical radar. This lecture follows the controversies as researchers sought to solve a 350 year-old mystery.
Chris Gerrard is a Professor of Archaeology at Durham and the team leader for the Scottish Soldiers Project. The book arising from project won the Best Archaeology Book of the Year award in 2018 and the related exhibition won a Living North award in 2019. The project also featured on Who Do You Think You Are? with American actor Jon Cryer. Over 6500 learners from 100 countries have signed up to the project’s free MOOC. Chris has conducted fieldwork across Britain, notably at Shapwick (Somerset) in an intensive landscape project he directed with the late Mick Aston, and at Clarendon (Wiltshire) where he worked on the medieval and later royal palace and park. He is currently excavating at the bishop’s palace at Auckland Castle in Bishop Auckland (Co. Durham) as well as conducting fieldwork abroad. His latest book is about ‘natural’ disasters in the Middle Ages such as severe weather, storm surges, earthquakes and tsunamis.
Background:
In 1650, Oliver Cromwell won the Battle of Dunbar that allowed him to wrest the Scottish capital from Royalists and unify Scotland and England for several years. In the aftermath, several thousand sick, wounded, and camp followers were allowed to go home, but nearly 5,000 others deemed a potential threat were taken prisoner and marched south into England toward Durham. Several thousand died on the seven day, 90 mile trek to Durham from starvation, exhaustion, execution, or an intestinal conditions.
Those who survived long enough to reach Durham found no respite, only disease and despair. Over 3,000 captives were locked in the town’s cathedral and the town’s nearby castle. Exhausted, starving, and dreadfully weakened, another 1,700 died and were buried there. For those who survived; hard labor awaited them.
The survivors were eventually sent to a variety of destinations. Some were used as labor to drain the fens in East Anglia, others fought for the Parliamentary army in Ireland, and still others were enlisted in the battle against the French in Barbados. Around 150, possibly selected for their hardiness, were transported to London, and then shipped across the Atlantic on the ‘Unity’ to New England.
The 100 or so who had survived the journey were sold into indentured servitude for £20 or £30 each. Around 60 of these went to work in various capacities for the Saugus Iron Works in Lynn, Massachusetts, around 20 were sent to a sawmill on the Great Works River in southern Maine, and the rest were bound to other masters in the area.
Learn more at the Scottish Prisoners of War Society: https://spows.org/
June 7, 2025 - Old Orchard Beach Scottish Festival, Veteran’s Memorial Park, Old Orchard Beach, Maine
The Scottish Festival in Old Orchard Beach, is the premier Scottish Cultural Fest in Maine and the only one held at the beach where you can hear bagpipes, eat haggis and maybe take a taste of some traditional Scottish Whisky! Featuring Albannach, Charlie Zahm. Pipe Bands, Highland Games, solo Pipe competition lots or Scottish Artisans and try some haggis!
July 18-20, 2025 - The Maine Celtic Celebration, Belfast, Maine
The Maine Celtic Celebration has promoted the rich Celtic history, culture and hospitality found in Maine through educational and cultural events. Our primary event is a 3-day festival held each July in Belfast, Maine on the waterfront at Belfast Commons and Steamboat Landing that brings together music and dance performances, workshops, demonstrations, crafts, sports, food and beverages. https://www.mainecelticcelebration.com/
August 16-17, 2025 - Maine Highland Games and Scottish Festival, Windsor, Maine
Join us for the most exciting Maine Highland Games and Scottish Festival™ yet, taking place at a brand-new location—Windsor Fairgrounds in Windsor, Maine—on August 16-17, 2025! This year, we're thrilled to bring you a jam-packed two days of Scottish heritage, competitions, music, and entertainment like never before.
Special Announcement: In an unprecedented honor, the 2025 Scottish Heavy Athletics Men’s World Championship will be held right here in Maine! Established by the legendary David P. Webster, OBE, in 1980, this prestigious event has traveled to festivals worldwide, from Scotland to Africa, Europe, Australia, and North America. Watch as top athletes from around the globe compete for the title, and witness history as a new World Champion is crowned right on our field. Plus, we’re beyond excited to announce that Outlander star, Graham McTavish, will be joining us for the festivities! https://www.mainehighlandgames.org/
August 23, 2025 - Quechee Scottish Games and Festival, Hartford, Vermont
Celebrate Tradition at Quechee Scottish Games and step onto the field and experience decades of timeless tradition! Immerse yourself in the vibrant essence of Scottish culture as clans encircle the main field, Highland Dancers gracefully take the stage, and the sound of the pipes fill the air from all directions. Join us for an unforgettable celebration of Scottish heritage, where generations unite to create cherished memories! https://quecheegames.org/
September 19-21, 2025 - NH Highland Games & Festival, Loon Mountain, NH
The NH Highland Games & Festival is one of the largest and most diverse Highland Games held in North America. This celebration of Scottish Heritage will be held from September 19-21, 2025 at Loon Mountain Resort in the White Mountains of New Hampshire at the beginning of fall foliage season in New England.
There’s something for everyone from Scottish music, dance, food, and fun to heavy athletics, sheep dog trials, and crowd-favorite, massed bands. Try-It classes all day long in street curling, stone lifting, and more. Sign up for a seminar and explore topics ranging from Scottish cooking to genealogy. Fun for all ages with special kids programming and opportunities to shop in Vendor Village. https://nhscot.org/
PAST EVENTS:
April 26, 2025
The Maine Ulster-Scots Project, in partnership with the North Yarmouth Historical Society and the Pejepscot History Center began celebrations of the 250th anniversary of American independence with a program recognizing those Ulster-Scots (“Scotch-Irish”) emigrants to the Maine frontier and to the North Yarmouth area in particular who participated in the struggle for independence.
The LECTURE portion of the event featured surveyor, author, and Maine Ulster-Scots Project director, John Mann, who gave us the background of the migration of the Scots and Ulster-Scots to the coast of Maine in the early to mid 1700’s and the engagement of these families in the American Revolution including the Armstrongs, Thomas Means (the 2nd), and other neighbors in the Yarmouth and Freeport area. This wonderful lecture was recorded and we’ll share the link in the near future.
The RECEPTION and social hour included exhibits of period-specific archived town letters, petitions, and Resolves, as well as other relevant artifacts from the period, and a roster of Ulster-Scots patriots of the North Yarmouth area. Period refreshments were enjoyed by all.
Our thanks to event co-sponsors the North Yarmouth Historical Society and the Pejepscot History Center and to John Mann for another delightful and informative lecture.
Congratulations to MUSP Sestercentennial Chairmen Julie Potter-Dunlop and NYHS President, - Katie Murphy, and volunteers for a fantastic day enjoyed by over 75 attendees. With the traditional cheer of 1775, we thank you by saying: HUZZAH, HUZZAH, HUZZAH
April 18, 2025
The Maine Ulster-Scots Project in collaboration with the Tate House Museum and the Stroudwater Neighborhood Association presented: “Birth of the American Revolution” a commemoration of the events of 1775 that marked the beginning of the American Revolution.
The program featured the hanging of two lit lanterns on the flagpole at the Means House to remember the two lanterns placed in the belfry of the Old North Church as a signal that the British were moving to Lexington-Concord by sea (the Charles River).
The program included a colonial-dressed portrayal of a member of the Tate family, youngest son Robert Tate, who trained as a minuteman of Portland (then Falmouth) and was called up at the Lexington alarm. The program also featured a reading of the Longfellow poem “The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere,” and Dave McCausland, representing MUSP, gave a brief account of James Means and fellow Ulster-Scots who served in the American Revolution.
April 4, 2025
The MUSP Board of Directors had the pleasure of visiting and celebrating Tartan Day at our Ulster-Scot committee member Jeff Patterson’s farm – The Byer at Piper’s Pond in Bristol, Maine. https://www.facebook.com/TheByreFarm/ We were joined by family and new friends (Scottish and one Spaniard – the chef).
The overcast morning started off with tours of the farm, feeding & holding the new lambs, and petting the Highland Coos. All shared a wonderful potluck dinner with special 18th century entrees’ of lamb and turnip, mackerel with bacon & oats, Irish breads, condiments, and cakes of all sorts. And of course a wee dram of homemade mead. A brief Board meeting was conducted capped off by John Mann reciting a part of the “Declaration of Arbroath” from 1320.
Thank you Jeff and family for a wonderful day visiting with our Ulster-Scots cousins.
November 2024
November 23rd saw a standing room only audience for the first public report on MUSP's archaeological work "Uncovering the lost Ulster-Scots settlement at Flying Point." Our own, John Mann discussed who the Ulster-Scots were, why they came to Maine, and reviewed the various archeological work and finds that give us insights into this fascinating history.
Many thanks to John, the Freeport Historical Society and Wolfe's Neck Center and all the volunteers for a fantastic and well received talk.
September 2024
VISITING MAINE FRONTIER SETTLER SITES (DATED 1718-1756)
Our partners associated with the Ulster-Scots Community Network (U-SCN), Belfast, N. Ireland were enthused to visit several Maine Frontier settler sites located in Harpswell, Brunswick, and Freeport with their guide John Mann, a direct descendant of Ulster-Scots emigrants to Casco Bay.
Deirde Speer-Whyte, Development Officer of U-SCN and archaeologist, along with Finula Magowan, Ulster-Scots volunteer and archaeologist, made stops at the Harpswell Museum and Meetinghouse, the First Parish Church Cemetery in Brunswick, and the Flying Point region -- which included the Anderson homestead, Means Massacre, and Little River Tide Mill sites, as well as Mann Cemetery on Friday, September 6th.
At the Harpswell Museum & Meetinghouse, they were able to converse with docent, David Hackett, a direct descendant of Elijah Kellogg. At the First Parish Church and Mann Cemetery locations, they were able to see multiple gravesites of 1st and 2nd generation Ulster-Scots emigrants, including those of Thomas and Robert Means and Robert Dunlop. Finally, in the Wolfe's Neck/Flying Point area, they were able to view the remnants of the old tide mill that the Anderson's built, owned, and operated in the mid-18th century.
Deirdre and Finula related that visiting these colonial sites allowed each of them to make a deeper connection to their ancestors who were of the Ulster Plantation and had made their way across the Atlantic Ocean to Canada and New England in the 19th century; from Ulster province to their sister province, the District of Maine. We share their sense of connection and far reaching family ties -- from there to here.
The Wolfe’s Neck Center for Agriculture & the Environment has recently opened an exhibit of selected photo enlargements from the Val and John Mann photographic collection. The exhibit opened to a full house on September 12th and featured speakers, Libby Bischof, executive director of the Osher Map Library and John Mann, Land Surveyor and local historian.
The title of the exhibit is “Capturing An Era” “Women’s Eyes On Family Farming At Wolfe’s Neck 1900-1960.” The photos were taken by three generation of the Banks/Pettengill family starting with Helen Bank Pettengill, her daughter Alice Pettengill Maybury, and her grand-daughter Verna Maybury Noble and their neighbor, Rubie P. Mann. “The photographs of three family farms provide a glimpse of the different approaches taken to adapt to a changing farm environment during the first half of the 20th century.
The exhibit remains available for viewing at the Smith Center located at 184 Burnett Road, Freeport, ME through to the end of 2024.
AN EVENING OF GOOD COMPANY, CHAT, AND LOCAL FOODS
On Monday, September 9, 2024, the Maine-Ulster Scots Project welcomed honored guests, Deirdre Speer-Whyte, Development Officer of the Ulster-Scots Community Network and archaeologist, and Finula Magowan, Ulster-Scots Volunteer and archaeologist to the Thomas Means Club in Freeport for an evening of Meet & Greet.
The Thomas Means Club (TMC) is a former one-room schoolhouse named in memory of the Means family patriarch. The MUSP directors and volunteers were pleased to be joined by TMC members for a dose of neighborly networking.
A yummy potluck meal of traditional Maine dishes was enjoyed. The evening provided an opportunity for all to mingle and discuss our shared histories concerning the Ulster-Scots diaspora from the Ulster Plantation to coastal Maine and its frontier beginning in 1718.
Our partnership with U-SCN and affiliates was established in 2018, during the 300th anniversary commemoration conference held on the Bowdoin College campus.
MUSP is deeply appreciative and values the alliance-building between the U-SCN, as well as the TMC members. Our shared vision for exploration and preservation of emigrant stories, as well as the impact of those frontier people settling Maine’s coastal communities, are thriving initiatives.
August 2024
August 17, 2024 - Maine Highland Games - The Maine Ulster-Scots Project had a very successful day at the 45th annual Maine Highland Games and Scottish festival. We had the opportunity to help families identify their possible Clans and explain the history and importance of the early Scots-Irish along the coast of Maine.
Thank-you John, Bill, Karen, Peter, Steve, Dave, and Heidi, for your efforts in continuing our mission of saving and sharing the stories of Maine’s Ulster-Scots.
July 2024
July 20, 2024 - Maine Celtic Celebration - Our thanks to Maine Ulster-Scots Project Secretary, Julie Potter-Dunlop and Treasurer, Dave McCausland for setting up and hosting our booth at the Maine Celtic Celebration along the beautiful harbor of Belfast, Maine to continue the mission of sharing our Maine Scots-Irish heritage with event attendees. Our info tent was well received and had a constant flow of interested folks from Maine and around the county.
Since this celebration was held in Belfast, Maine, enjoy this wonderful video describing the story of two Belfast's - 3,000 miles apart. Two ports linked by name, by culture, and by shared tradition: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=by8PT-8g6x8
May 2024
May 8, 2024- Patten Free Library - MUSP Director, John Mann gave a talk about the Scots-Irish settlement of the lower Kennebec during the 18th century to 23 in-person and 45 online attendees. This program used maps, source documents, and archaeological findings to describe the introduction and settlement of Scots-Irish families along the Kennebec River in the eighteenth century, “America’s Eastern Frontier.”
May 8, 2024– Northern Ireland - MUSP President Becky Miller and Secretary Julie Potter-Dunlop attended Coleraine Historical Society’s 40th Anniversary Conference at Ulster University (Coleraine Campus, Northern Ireland).
August 2023
Our thanks to Maine Ulster-Scots Project President, Becky Miller for setting up and hosting our booth at the 2023 Quechee Scottish Games in Vermont to continue the mission of sharing our Maine Scots-Irish heritage with event attendees. Great job Becky and thank you for representing us so well.
August 2023
The Maine Ulster-Scots Project had a very successful day at the 44th annual Maine Highland Games and Scottish festival. We had the opportunity to help families identify their possible Clans and explain the history and importance of the early Scots-Irish along the coast of Maine.
Thank-you John, Bill, Becky, Karen, Peter, Dave, Heidi, Rebecca, and Mark for your efforts in continuing our mission of saving and sharing the stories of Maine’s Ulster-Scots.
Video of Opening Ceremonies of 2023 Maine Highland Games:
July 2023
Maine Celtic Celebration in Belfast, Maine presentation by Dr. Julie A. Potter-Dunlop of the Maine Ulster-Scots Project.
“First Ulster-Scots Settlers to the District of Maine Frontier in the Early 18th-Century.”
Discussed in this interactive talk was how the emigration of Ulster-Scots to the frontier of coastal Maine in the early 18th-century has been often overlooked and under reported. It is clear the first settlers wanted to own property and escape from the burden of high rents and from generations of control by Lords and Lairds (their English and Scottish landlords). It is also clear that they wanted relief from the continuing constraints being put on their Protestant Kirk. Earning that opportunity by homesteading the American wilderness and defending their claims was the bargain that they made. They brought with them a tradition of pioneering expertise, and a reputation for defending their property at all costs. These skills were born from centuries of hard necessity, both in Scotland and in Ulster (Mann, 2005).
April 2023
Congratulations to SCOTTISH ARTS, the New England based organizers of the Indoor Scottish Festival held April 2023 in Salem New Hampshire. More info: https://nhssa.org/
Events during the day included: Piping, Drumming, Pipe Bands, Highland Dance, Scottish Clans and Vendors, Workshops on Genealogy, Celtic Art, Scottish Organizations.
And our thanks to Maine Ulster-Scots Project President, Becky Miller for setting up and hosting our booth at the festival in order to continue the mission of sharing our Maine Scots-Irish heritage with event attendees.
July 2022
Our thanks and congratulations to the MUSP team for two great presentations at the Maine Celtic Celebration in Belfast, Maine on July 23 & 24th. Rebecca Graham (MUSP President) gave two informative talks :
"Good Wives and Subtle Warriors": A presentation showing the challenges and contributions of Scots-Irish frontier women to the founding of New England communities. This talk will examine the sometimes not-so-subtle power of frontier women in Maine and New Hampshire through court records, local legends, and litigation.
“Scots Irish Migration to Maine and the Founding of the State”: A discussion of the long journey, historic events, and circumstances that brought the Scots/Irish to Maine and the impact of that on Maine’s development and character.
Both days saw an interested audience of over 25 along with MUSP committee members Julie, Becky, Pam, and Dave. Thank you Julie for organizing our participation in this event.
Since this celebration was held in Belfast, Maine, enjoy this wonderful video describing the story of two Belfast's - 3,000 miles apart. Two ports linked by name, by culture, and by shared tradition: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=by8PT-8g6x
August 2022
The Maine Ulster-Scots Project had a very successful day at the 43rd annual Maine Highland Games and Scottish festival this past weekend. We had the opportunity to help families identify their possible Clans and explain the history and importance of the early Scots-Irish along the coast of Maine.
Thank-you John, Bill, Becky, Karen, Dave, Heidi, Rebecca, Mark, and Brad for your efforts in continuing our mission of saving and sharing the stories of Maine’s Ulster-Scots.
“DIRIGO”: The Maine Lambeg Drum made its inaugural appearance at the 2022 Maine Highland Games and attracted 100’s of interested festival goers as they entered the parade field and clan row.
May 2022
“Walk Tour of the Mann Cemetery, one of Freeport’s oldest Ulster-Scots burial grounds”
John Mann, a 6th-generation descendant of Gideon Man (of North Yarmouth — now Freeport), opened his presentation with this poem by Kenelin Lufkin (Eliza Dennison King) found in “Three Centuries of Freeport.”
“Upon a fragrant hillside
By the Harraseeket shore,
They laid the captain when he died,
'Twas forty years and more.
The blackberry vines above him
In tangled masses creep,
And those who used to love him,
Around him calmly sleep.”
John discussed 17th-century occupation and land acquisition at Flying Point, including claims by George Felt and the Richard Dummer family (Dummer’s Claim).
He went on to describe the emigration and traits of the first Ulster Scots from the North of Ireland (circa 1722-1756) to Flying Point and associated critical events the pioneers endured (French and Indian War and the Great Throat Distemper Epidemic of New England 1735-1740).
Lastly, John informed the 50+ attendees of the physical characteristics of the burial ground and the headstones themselves. A walking tour of the cemetery followed.
John closed his presentation with this insight, “The burial ground is a testimony to the grit and determination of the Ulster-Scots families: Anderson, Chase, Mann, Means, Patten, and Rogers. From the uncertainty of life in Scotland and Northern Ireland, they found a permanent home and resting place at Flying Point. We can never know the exact identities of all the individuals interred in the unnamed burials, but they represent families and neighbors with a common past” ~ Pamela Crane, Archaeologist.
August 2021
Maine Highland Games
April 2019
‘1718 – 2018’ Reflections on 300 years of the Scots-Irish in Maine' was produced following academic conferences at Bowdoin College, Maine and in Coleraine, Northern Ireland hosted by the Ulster University. These events marked the 300-year anniversary of the first large scale movement of people to Maine from what is now Northern Ireland.
This important work is a compendium of presented papers by a range of American and Ulster based writers and historians and provides a unique record of historic links between Ulster and Maine. These papers from 19 different authors have been published together in “Reflections”. Some of the papers are academic, some poetic, and others personal with the aim to share the Scots Irish stories of those who played a significant role in shaping the state of Maine, New England, and the United States of America.
July 2019
Maine Celtic Celebraton
August 2019
August 2018
Read an in-depth recap of the Conference:
2018
Maine Highland Games
August 2016
