By: Emma Martin, Decatur Morgan County Tourism
On March 14-15, 2026, the North Alabama Scottish Festival & Highland Games will officially rehome to Point Mallard Park, bringing the sights, sounds, and spirit of Scotland to North Alabama for a weekend packed with heritage and community celebration.
The 2026 festival also ushers in exciting milestones, including its designation as the new home of the prestigious United States Eastern Women’s Highland Games Championship. In addition, children will have the opportunity to participate in their own age-appropriate games, creating an experience that honors tradition while welcoming the next generation.
Beyond the competitions, the festival offers rich cultural experiences through music, dance, and storytelling. Pipe bands and folk musicians will perform throughout the weekend, Highland dancers will showcase their artistry, and guests will have the opportunity to connect with Scottish heritage in meaningful and interactive ways.
What makes this event especially unique is its setting in Decatur. The North Alabama Scottish Festival blends global tradition with Southern hospitality, creating an atmosphere that feels both authentic and warmly local. Visitors from across the region — and beyond — will gather to celebrate, strengthening community ties while elevating Decatur’s growing reputation as a destination for dynamic events.
If you’re looking for a weekend filled with energy, tradition, music, and family-friendly fun, this is your invitation. Mark your calendar for March 14-15, 2026, and join us at Point Mallard Park as we welcome this beloved cultural tradition to its new home in Decatur. Wear your tartan, bring your friends, and experience the magic of Scotland right here in the heart of Alabama. Slàinte!
Decatur Morgan County Tourism Communications Director
Emma Martin, a Decatur native, has over a decade of experience in hospitality and community engagement. As the Decatur Morgan County Tourism Communications Director, she is eager to promote all that makes her hometown special.
That’s how Janelle Brown, owner of Brown Books & More, describes her Decatur bookstore. It’s a place where community happens, where everybody knows your name.
The brick-and-mortar store first opened in 2022, and since then, Janelle has been growing her business to create a place where every person can feel represented, welcomed, and inspired.
Janelle started her career in the banking industry, but after nearly two decades in finance, she decided to turn her attention to entrepreneurship. Inspired by the need to increase literacy and reading levels among Black and brown students, she set out to open a bookstore where anyone could see themselves represented.
“We have books for everyone,” says Janelle of the store’s selection. “We cover every genre and every culture.”
The store offers a lunch menu with smoothies, chicken salad, and more, inviting guests to relax and take their time inside. Reading rooms are available for groups and individuals to use.
And if a club or small group wants to use the space to meet? “No charge,” says Janelle. The room is meant to be used by the community.
Even the store’s interior decoration has been chosen intentionally to make the space feel like home to its guests. Walking through the door, patrons can feel they belong.
“You always see somebody that you know [here],” says Janelle, speaking of the community atmosphere.
Many things, according to Janelle. She appreciates Decatur’s affordability, plentiful job market, and rich history.
“It’s a small town but still has access [to] modern amenities,” she says. “You can support your family here.”
In fact, when asked to describe Decatur in a word or phrase, Janelle keeps it simple: “Decatur is home.”
We couldn’t agree more!
Decatur is a powerhouse in outdoor recreation.
Over 50 years ago, the Mayor of Decatur went to Germany to learn how to build the nation’s first wave pool. In 1970, this historic wave pool opened at Point Mallard Park, and Decatur claimed its place as a city dedicated to recreation.
Now, outdoor recreation is everywhere in Decatur.
Thanks to the area’s natural resources, the surrounding landscape and scenery offer prime locations for hiking, hunting, camping, nature photography, and more. The Tennessee River flows through the city, making water sports such as fishing, boating, and kayaking incredibly popular options.
Among the most popular attractions in Decatur are Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge and Point Mallard Park. Wheeler Wildlife Refuge welcomes 600,000 visitors annually to explore the trails, spend time on the water, and witness the tens of thousands of sandhill cranes that gather there each winter.
Meanwhile, in the summer, Point Mallard’s water park opens to the delight of children and adults alike.
For organized sports, Decatur boasts venues for soccer, baseball, golf, disc golf, and more. In fact, the Jack Allen Recreation Complex is recognized as one of the most trailblazing sporting complexes in the Southeast.
From improvements to Point Mallard to a brand new recreation center at Wilson Morgan Park, from softball fields to pickleball courts, residents and visitors will soon enjoy an even wider range of activities in Decatur.
“We may have someone that just comes to visit, but they might think… ‘The city of Decatur might be the place for me to live, work, and play,’” said Danielle Gibson, President/CEO of Decatur Morgan County Tourism.
