Summer is coming, and so is one of our favorite traditions: the Clan MacNeil Ceilidh and Annual General Meeting, held each year in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.
Friday, July 10, 2026 | 6:00 to 8:00 pm
Banner Elk Presbyterian Church
Banner Elk, North Carolina
We gather in conjunction with the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, one of the premier Scottish Highland Games events in the country, held at MacRae Meadows near Linville, NC, July 10-12. Whether you’re attending the games all weekend or coming just for the evening, the Ceilidh is a wonderful chance to connect with fellow MacNeils from across the country.
What to expect:
The evening will follow our familiar format: refreshments, entertainment, drawing prizes, and family photos. Most importantly, it’s time together. Come ready to introduce yourself, reconnect with friends, and hear updates from your officers on all things Clan MacNeil, including exciting news about ongoing renovations at Kisimul Castle and early planning for a possible clan gathering on Barra in 2027.
Elections this year:
2026 is an election year for three of our council seats. If you’d like to put a name forward for CMAA leadership, now is the time. Nominations are an important part of keeping our organization strong and representative of our membership. Watch for details on the nomination process in The Galley and on the website.
MOM Award nominations also due:
The MacNeil Order of Merit recognizes those who give exceptional service to our clan community. Nominations for the 2026 MOM award are due by May 15, 2026. Don’t let a deserving person go unrecognized: submit your nomination today.
We hope to see you in Banner Elk this July. The mountains are beautiful, the company is even better, and there’s always something worth raising a glass to when the MacNeils gather.
