How it all began...
In 1986 a bunch of enthusiast organized our first 1-day pipe band competition in Bokrijk, Genk. They it the bullseye! Thanks to thei zeal, passion and pursuasion of the founders, a whopping 17 bands took part in this first edition!
In those first years, circumstances made us change the location for our competition multiple times. Bokrijk, Hengelhoef, Molenheide & Kapermolen all hosted the event at one point. This ordeal came to an end in 1994 after the restoration of the Landcommandery of Alden Biesen in Bilzen. This beautiful domain has been our home away from home ever since.
From a single day competition to a 3-day festival
We expanded on our one-day competition quickly with a solo competition, Highland Games & Highland Dancing. After a few years, this elaborate programme was split across 2 full days, which was the start of the Scottish Weekend in 1989!
Year-on-year our team, our motivation and our programme grew. The addition of the live folk music, the Scottish market, the (children’s) entertainment and much more, molded the Scottish Weekend into the family-friendly, atmospheric festival we know today. Back in 2007, we decided to add the Friday night to our festival weekend. The result are thre days filled to the brim with Celtic atmoshpere and culture. The perfect family trip for young & old.
What an honour!
We have very fond memories of our 18th edition, because we were rewarded the hosting of the 2003 European Pipe Band Championship. This was not just an honour, but also a sign of recognition by the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA).
Overview
2019
34th edition
Landcommandery Alden Biesen, Bilzen
Chieftain: Mr. Johan Sauwens, Mayor of Bilzen
2018
33rd edition
Landcommandery Alden Biesen, Bilzen
Chieftain: Mr. Theo Bovens - Governor Nederlands-Limburg (NL)
2017
32nd edition
Landcommandery Alden Biesen, Bilzen
Chieftain: Mr. Steven Vandeput – Minister of Defence
2016
31st edition
Landcommandery Alden Biesen, Bilzen
Chieftain: Mr. Sven Gatz - Minister for Culture, Media, Youth & Brussels
2015
30th edition
Landcommandery Alden Biesen, Bilzen
Chieftain: Mr. Ben Weyts – Minister for Mobility
2014
29th edition
Landcommandery Alden Biesen, Bilzen
Chieftain: Mr. Herman Reynders – Governor of the province of Limburg
2013
28th edition
Landcommandery Alden Biesen, Bilzen
Chieftain: Mr. Koen Geens – Finance Minister
2012
27th edition
Landcommandery Alden Biesen, Bilzen
Chieftain: Mr. Kris Peeters – Flemish Prime Minister
2011
26th edition
Landcommandery Alden Biesen, Bilzen
Chieftain: Mme. Michèle Boccoz – French Ambassador in Belgium
First European Championship Highland Dancing on the continent.
2010
25th edition
Landcommandery Alden Biesen, Bilzen
Chieftain: Mr. Kris Peeters – Flemish Prime Minister
2009
24th edition
Landcommandery Alden Biesen, Bilzen
Chieftain: Mrs. Erika Thijs – Deputy for the Province of Limburg
Chieftain: Mr. Gilbert Van Baelen - Deputy for the Province of Limburg
2008
23th edition
Landcommandery Alden Biesen, Bilzen
Chieftain: Mr. Jo Vandeurzen - Vice President, Minister of Justice & Institutional Reform
2007
22nd edition
Landcommandery Alden Biesen, Bilzen
Chieftain: Mr. Steve Stevaert - Governor of the province of Limburg
2006
21ste edition
Landcommandery Alden Biesen, Bilzen
Chieftain: Patrick Dewael – Federal Vice President, Minister of the Interior
2005
20th edition
Landcommandery Alden Biesen, Bilzen
Chieftain: Mr. Peter Vanvelthoven – State Secretary for the Informatization of the State
2004
19th edition
Landcommandery Alden Biesen, Bilzen
Chieftain: Mr. Paul Van Grembergen - Former Minister of Culture
2003
18th edition
Landcommandery Alden Biesen, Bilzen
Chieftain: Mr. Bart Somers - Flemish Prime Minister
Hosting the European Pipe Band Championship
2002
17th edition
Landcommandery Alden Biesen, Bilzen
Chieftain: Mr. Paul Van Grembergen - Flemish Minister for Interior affairs, Culture, Youth & Development
2001
16dth edition
Landcommandery Alden Biesen, Bilzen
Chieftain: Mr. Ross Finnie – Member of the Scottish Parliament, Minister of the Environment & Agricultural
Development
2000
15th edition
Landcommandery Alden Biesen, Bilzen
Chieftain: Mr. David Colvin CMG – British Ambassador
1999
14th edition
Landcommandery Alden Biesen, Bilzen
Chieftain: Mrs. Rhona Brankin – Scottish Minister
1998
13th edition
Landcommandery Alden Biesen, Bilzen
Chieftain: Mr. Ross Finnie – Scottish Minister
1997
12th edition
Landcommandery Alden Biesen, Bilzen
Chieftain: Mrs. Elaine Murray – Scottish Deputy Minister
1996
11th edition
Landcommanderij Alden Biesen, Bilzen
Chieftain: Mr. Sir Gray KBE CMG – British Ambassador in Belgium
1995
10th edition
Landcommandery Alden Biesen, Bilzen
Chieftain: Mr. Johan Sauwens – Mayor of Bilzen
Addition of the Highland Dancing Competition on Saturday and the Celtic Nicht with performances by international
folkbanks on Saturday evening
1994
9th edition
Landcommandery Alden Biesen, Bilzen
Chieftain: Mrs. Suzanne Vanaudenhove – Director Alden Biesen
Addition of the Solo competitions on Sunday morning.
1993
8th edition
Domain Bokrijk, Genk
Chieftain: Mr. Jef Gabriels – Mayor of Genk
1992
7th edition
Kapermolen park, Hasselt
Chieftain: Mrs. Frieda Brepoels - Deputy for the Province of Limburg
Addition of the Scottish Market
1991
6th edition
Kapermolen park, Hasselt
Chieftain: Mr. Louis Roppe – Mayor of Hasselt
1990
5th edition
Domain Molenheide, Houthalen
Chieftain: Mr. Robin O’Neill – British Ambassador
Addition of different (international) folk bands and children’s entertainment
1989
4th edition
Domain Hengelhoef, Houthalen
Chieftain: Mr. Bill Kelly – British Consul
Addition of second day with the P.B.C.B on Saturday and the traditional Highland Games (Scottish popular games)
on Sunday
1988
3rd edition
Domain Hengelhoef, Houthalen
Chieftain: Mr Jim Easton – British General Consul
Creating of the Working Group P.B.C.B npo
1987
2nd edition
Domain Hengelhoef, Houthalen
Chieftain: Mr. Patrick Dewael – Community Minister for Culture
1986
1ste edition
Domain Bokrijk, Genk
Chieftain: Mr. H. Vandermeulen - Governor of the province of Limburg
Organised by “The Antwerp and District Pipe Band”