September 5 & 6, 2026 | Labor Day Weekend | Great Meadow | 5089 Old Tavern Road, The Plains, VA 20198
There is something special about a Highland Games. For a weekend, a little bit of Scotland comes alive right here in Virginia. You’ll hear the sound of pipes and drums, see Highland dancers, watch traditional Highland athletics, discover Scottish clans and heritage, enjoy music and food, and wander among vendors celebrating Scottish culture. This Labor Day weekend, FLYKUP – Scottish Fancy Pieces will be there too.
We’ll be bringing a little piece of Aberdeen and North East Scotland to the 52nd Virginia Scottish Games at Great Meadow in The Plains, Virginia, on September 5th and 6th, 2026.
What is the Virginia Scottish Games?
The Virginia Scottish Games are an annual celebration of Scottish heritage held at Great Meadow in The Plains, Virginia over Labor Day weekend.
Now in its 52nd year, the event brings together people who love Scotland, Scottish heritage and Celtic culture for a weekend filled with athletics, piping and drumming, Highland dancing, music, clans, food, cultural exhibits and shopping.
It’s a wonderful place to come if you have Scottish ancestry—but you don’t have to be Scottish to enjoy it. You might come because you love the sound of bagpipes. You might want to learn more about your Scottish family history. You might enjoy watching the Highland athletes throw the caber. Or you might simply love finding interesting things you won’t see every day.
And that’s where FLYKUP -Scottish Fancy Pieces comes in.
Bringing a little piece of Aberdeen to Virginia FLYKUP isn’t just a Scottish gift shop to me.
I was born and raised in Aberdeen, Scotland. The North East of Scotland is home for me, and many of the things that inspired FLYKUP are things I grew up with. That’s why you’ll hear us talk about Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, North East Scotland and Doric.
Scotland is made up of many different regions, each with its own character, traditions and history. The North East has its own distinctive identity—and it’s one I particularly want to share with people here in Virginia.
Sometimes that means introducing people to Scottish products. Sometimes it means explaining a word they’ve never heard before. And sometimes it means telling someone what on earth a fly cup is!
So, what’s a Fly Cup?
If you’re new to FLYKUP, you may be wondering about the name. A fly cup is a North East Scottish tradition and expression, particularly associated with Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. It isn’t a term that is traditionally used throughout Scotland. A fly cup is simply a little break in the day.
You can have one by yourself or with company. Perhaps someone drops by and you put the kettle on. Perhaps you’ve been busy all morning and decide it’s time to step away for a few minutes. You have a cup of tea or coffee. And, naturally, you find something to eat. Because a fly cup is usually accompanied by a fancy piece.
And what’s a Fancy Piece?
A fancy piece is a little something to eat with your tea or coffee. It might be a biscuit, cake, shortbread or another sweet treat. Again, it’s a term and a daily event I grew up with in Aberdeen and the North East of Scotland. And I love what it represents. A fly cup doesn’t have to be a big occasion. It’s about pausing for a moment. Putting the kettle on. Having a wee chat. Enjoying something tasty. Taking a little time out of your day.
That’s the feeling behind FLYKUP – Scottish Fancy Pieces.
You may even hear a little Doric
Another part of North East Scottish culture that is important to FLYKUP is Doric. Doric is the traditional dialect of the North East of Scotland, particularly associated with Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and the surrounding area. It’s the dialect I grew up hearing. It has its own words, expressions, sounds, and sayings—and some of them can be completely unfamiliar to someone from another part of Scotland, never mind someone from Virginia! For me, Doric is more than a dialect. It’s a connection to home. And that’s one of the things I hope people discover when they visit FLYKUP: Scotland isn’t just tartan and bagpipes. It’s the stories, expressions, food, humor, traditions, and everyday things that make different parts of Scotland unique
Come find FLYKUP at the Virginia Scottish Games
If you’re heading to the 52nd Virginia Scottish Games this Labor Day weekend, make sure you come and find us.
We’ll have our FLYKUP collection with us, featuring designed and handmade Scottish products and gifts from makers and businesses in Scotland.
You’ll find pieces for your home, gifts, Scottish treats, and other unusual finds that we think tell a story about Scotland.
And if you stop by, ask us about Aberdeen. Ask us about Doric. Ask us what a fancy piece is. Or ask us why we call ourselves FLYKUP. We’d love to tell you. Because that’s really what FLYKUP is about. Not simply selling Scottish products. Sharing a little piece of the Scotland we know and love.
Visit the 52nd Virginia Scottish Games
📅 September 5 & 6, 2026
📍 Great Meadow, 5089 Old Tavern Road, The Plains, VA 20198
The Virginia Scottish Games run Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day weekend, with the 2026 event scheduled at Great Meadow from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. each day.
So put on your tartan, bring the family, enjoy the pipes, watch the Highland athletics, explore the clans—and come find FLYKUP.
You might even discover your new favorite fancy piece.
FLYKUP – Scottish Fancy Pieces
Bringing a little piece of Scotland to Virginia.