Our Board
Payson Scottish Festival is organized by the
Payson Scottish Festival Board, a volunteer organization.
President: Bill Elrick - psfa.utah@gmail.com
Vice President: Maggie Munro - invernessie@gmail.com
Treasurer: Krystal Elrick - krystal.1987.kr@gmail.com
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Recording Secretary: Caroll Elrick – carollelrick@yahoo.com
Merchandise Vendors: Steve Elrick - steve.a.elrick@gmail.com
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Clans: DeAnne Thomas - deannethomas4@gmail.com
Pipes Bands: Kerrie Welton - Kwelton27@hotmail.com
Pipe Bands MC: Doug Welton - dougwelton@gmail.com
Pipe Bands: Kent Boykin - hopeforutah@juno.com
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Santa In July - Dodd Greer - doddgreer2gmail.com
Kids Games: Mark Sears - markwars22@gmail.com
Kids Games: Logan Millsap - millsaplogan@gmail.com
Information Booth: Emma Taylor
Website & Entertainment: Maggie Munro - invernessie@gmail.com
Athletics: Aubri Fulton - utahheavies@gmail.com
Food Vendors: Larry & Cheryl Brown - larryandcherylbrown@gmail.com
Parade, Ceremonies, Massed Bands: April Jones - aprilajones4@gmail.com
Highland Dancing: Liz Archibald - lizamay24@gmail.com
Facilities: Tiki King - tikiking@tikiking.com
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Welsh Cakes Booth - Kim Smith - kleighsmith10@gmail.com
Welsh Cakes Booth - Alissa Thomas - landshark1913@gmail.com
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Advisor - Janeen Dean - events@payson.org
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Chieftains
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Chieftain 2024 - Payson Mayor, Bill Wright (40th Anniversary)
Chieftain 2023 - Payson Mayor, Bill Wright
Chieftain 2021, 2022 - Sydney Young
Chieftain 2018, 2019 - Dan Lamont
Chieftain 2016, 2017 - Gordon DeWaal
Chieftain 2014, 2015 - Bob Gallimore
Chieftain 2012, 2013 - Mike Findlay
Chieftain 2010, 2011 - Dodd Greer
Chieftain 2009 - Kevin McDonald
Chieftain 2008 - Jerry Chatwin (25th Honorary Anniversary)
Chieftain 2007 - Kevin McDonald
Chieftain 2005, 2006 - Arnold Young
Chieftain 2003, 2004 - Helen Scott
Chieftain 2001, 2002 - Gordon Orr
Chieftain 1999, 2000 - Burtis Bills
Chieftain 1994, 1998 - Robert A. Carte
Chieftain 1995,1996 - David Barclay
Chieftain 1993, 1994 - Bill Orton
Chieftain 1991,1992 - LeRay McAllister
Chieftain 1989,1990 - Joseph Cannon
Chieftain 1987,1988 - Eldon Money
Chieftain 1986 - Jim Ferguson
Chieftain 1985 - Gary Anderson
Chieftain 1984 - Val Oveson
A brief history of the Highland Gmaes
According to oral tradition, some version of the Celtic/Gaelic Highland Games predates Christianity. These gatherings were basically war games held with the intent to select the best warriors in each family tribe or clan.
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The first Games in Scotland were organized in the 11th Century and specifically designated as a sporting event. During the reign of King Malcom III (1058-1093), the Brae O¹Mar, a fairly flat meadowland along the river Dee, was used for a royal contest to find the swiftest and strongest in the kingdom. The winners needed to be fast and have the necessary stamina to carry
King Malcom¹s messages across the land.
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Games were held throughout Scotland until the Battle of Culloden in 1746.After Bonnie Prince Charlie¹s defeat by the English, the Act of Proscription banned playing of the bagpipe, wearing of the kilt, gathering together of the people, and the carrying of arms under the penalty of deportation or death. That effectively squelched a good part of the Highland culture, and literally destroyed the old clan structure.
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After the repeal of the Proscription in the latter part of the 18th Century, Highland Societies began forming, and in 1781 the first society Gathering was held at Falkirk. The success of this event led to the Gathering of the Clans and the Highland Games as we know them today. By the end of the 1820’s Games were once again being held throughout Scotland.
In the United States the first Highland Games were organized by the Highland Society of New York in the mid 1800’s. The first games on the West Coast were held in San Francisco in 1865.
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The first Highland Games in Payson Utah was in 1984.