Jonathan Wilson of the St. Andrew’s Society of Colorado joined host Rodger Hara to preview the Colorado Scottish Festival, happening September 20–21 at the Denver Polo Club in Sedalia. He highlighted the traditions of Scottish heavy athletics such as the caber toss, hammer throw, and stone put, along with pipe band competitions, Highland dancing, and family-friendly cultural events. Wilson also shared how the Society is balancing tradition with outreach to new generations through music, community gatherings, and volunteer efforts, inviting listeners to experience Scottish culture and heritage firsthand. (Interview: 8/19/25)
Rodger Hara: Talking about Highland Games—tell us a little bit more about Scottish heavy athletics. Jonathan, what all is involved besides throwing a telephone pole?
Jonathan Wilson: Oh, the good old caber toss! Yeah. There’s a lot of tradition steeped in these athletic events. You’ve got the hammer throw, which is a weighted steel ball at the end of a pole that’s thrown for distance.
There’s another event called the sheaf toss. I know we were chatting earlier and you mentioned some people call it the “sheep,” but it’s the sheaf. An athlete has a pitchfork and tosses either a small bundle of hay or a weighted burlap bag for height over a bar. Obviously, the weight and bar height can change, and the higher they go, the heavier it gets. It’s pretty cool to watch.
And then you’ve got the stones—or stone put—which is basically the traditional version of the shot put. It’s a heavy stone thrown for distance.
Different ages, men, women, all compete at their own levels. I’ve been to a couple of games around the country, and a lot of them emulate the same events you’d see if you were in Scotland. It’s really inspiring to see these athletes compete. In fact, one of our athletes from the Rocky Mountain Highland Athletics just broke a couple of records, which is fascinating and awesome—especially since he’s a Colorado athlete.
Rodger Hara: Oh, that’s really cool. How many athletes are going to be competing?
Jonathan Wilson: It really depends on who registers and signs up. It’s definitely a fair number—it’s an all-day thing. They’re out there in the heat. Hopefully this year will be a little bit cooler since we’ve moved it from August, as you know, into September.
Rodger Hara: Yeah, the later part of September should be nicer—a little cooler and a fun kind of time, after the heat and before the snow. Courtesy of the Colorado Scottish Festival, we’ve got a couple of tickets to give away: a pair of passes to one day of the festival, plus parking.
If you haven’t won anything from KGNU in the last 30 days and you can attend the festival, don’t let these go to waste. Be the third person to send an email to [email protected]—that’s T-I-C-K-E-T-S @ kgnu.org—with “Colorado Highland Games” in the subject line, and you’ll win two passes plus parking for either Saturday, September 20th, or Sunday, September 21st.
You’ve heard Jonathan and me talking about what you can see there, and you’ve heard some of the music. I’ll play a couple of pipe tunes now. You heard Jonathan mention the pipe bands that will be performing. Here’s a set from the Queen City Pipe Band—one of the top-rated pipe bands in Colorado—followed by a tune from the Denver & District Pipe Band. They have both a Grade 5 and a Grade 4 group, and you’ll be able to hear them in competition as well as accompanying the March of the Clans at the festival entrance.
So here’s a medley from the Queen City Pipe Band: Clancy’s Farewell, The Duke of Edinburgh, Out of the Air, and more. Then from Denver & District: Walter Douglas, MBE and Aspen Bank.
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Rodger Hara: So, a couple of pipe tunes—one from the Queen City Pipe Band and the other from the Denver & District Pipe Band. Both of those were live recordings from a competition in Scotland, and you’ll be able to hear pipe bands in competition right here in Sedalia.
Jonathan Wilson: Sedalia, yes. I get those mixed up sometimes.
Rodger Hara: They sound alike, but not quite the same! All right, we’re coming up on the top of the hour. My goodness, where has the time gone? Between music and conversation, we’ve covered a lot of territory. Jonathan, what’s next for the St. Andrew’s Society? What do you see for the future, and what events are coming up?
Jonathan Wilson: Yeah, Roger, that’s a great question. We’ve got the Highland Games next month, of course. We also have Highland Happy Hours coming up, and at the end of this month we’ll host a Scottish Ceilidh, which is a kind of traditional social dance—similar to Scottish country or English country dancing.
In November, toward the end of the month, we’ll have the official St. Andrew’s Ceilidh. In the past we held a more formal gala, but we’re trying to loosen the formality to increase attendance and reach across generations.
That will roll us into our whiskey tastings and lectures, leading up to our annual Burns Supper on January 24th, which is one of my favorite events of the year. I mentioned earlier—all of these events wouldn’t be possible without the dedicated people who volunteer their time. Some serve on both the Council and the Highland Games Committee, devoting time and resources to both.
I’ve been part of the Society for about five years, not long compared to some members, but I’ve worked my way through the Council in various positions. People often say I’m an old soul for my age—38—because I love history and especially my family’s heritage. That’s what brought me here. I really value the tradition that’s been preserved, but we also recognize the need to adapt and pass the torch to the next generation.
That’s why one of the newest Council positions is Director of Marketing. Samantha Hurst has done an amazing job modernizing outreach—bridging old-school pen-and-paper with new social media tools to boost awareness and membership. Younger folks sometimes don’t know what to expect from a “society,” so we want to change that perception while preserving our history.
Personally, it’s been rewarding to share this with my own kids. My 13-year-old son was just measured for his first kilt, made by a woman in Edinburgh, and he’s thrilled. My six-year-old wears one occasionally too. I didn’t force it—they chose it. Hopefully, someday, my kids or other young members will step into leadership roles, maybe even president.
I’m also excited that the Colorado Youth Pipe Band will be at the Games this year. Looking ahead, I hope we’ll showcase more youth fiddlers, Highland dancers, and even young Highland athletes. However it unfolds, it’s always a great time.
I encourage everyone to check out our website—coloradoscots.com for the St. Andrew’s Society, and scottishgames.org for festival details. And, as always, we’re looking for volunteers.
Rodger Hara: So to recap, the Colorado Scottish Festival is September 20th and 21st at the Denver Polo Club grounds in Sedalia—between Littleton and Castle Rock, just south of Highlands Ranch. Come out and get your Scottish blood flowing!
Jonathan, it’s been great having you here. I’ll take us to the top of the hour with a couple of tunes from another headliner, the Wicked Tinkers—a high-energy Celtic trio with a great following. Thanks for coming.
Jonathan Wilson: Thanks, Roger. Take care.
