SN 2 EPS 3: From Culloden to the Colonies

SN 2 EPS 3: From Culloden to the Colonies

In this special Independence Day episode of Rally the Tartans, host Michael Paul Wolfgar Lewis sits down with football coach Mark McCallum to explore the enduring Scottish influence on America, from the aftermath of Culloden to the Revolutionary War, and from the Highlands of Scotland to the athletic fields of today.   Together, they discuss leadership, perseverance, the importance of tradition, and why coaches, clans, and communities all share the responsibility of passing something greater than victories on to the next generation.   Two hundred and fifty years after America's founding, we celebrate not only the birth of a nation, but also the people and cultures whose sacrifices, ideas, and determination helped make it possible.

SN 2 EPS 2 - Throwing Clubs, Lost History, and the Next Chapter of Scottish Athletics

Throwing Clubs, Lost History, and the Next Chapter of Scottish Athletics In this episode of Rally the Tartans, we sit down with Clay Buchanan of the Clan Buchanan Throwing Club to explore one of the most important conversations facing Highland Games athletics today: how do we preserve our traditions while building for the future? We discuss the rise of clan-supported throwing clubs and why they may be the key to developing the next generation of athletes. From recruiting newcomers and supporting competitors to strengthening clan engagement, throwing clubs offer a model that other Scottish organizations may want to follow. We also reflect on the loss of the historic North American Scottish Games Athletics (NASGA) website, a resource that documented decades of results, records, and athletic history. What does the disappearance of that archive mean for the sport, and how do we prevent more of our heritage from being lost? Finally, we look ahead to the future through the work of Scottish Athletes International and Danny Webster's new project, NASGA Scores, which aims to preserve results, records, and the stories of the athletes who built the sport we love today. The future of Scottish athletics depends on more than great competitors—it depends on communities willing to preserve the past, invest in the present, and build opportunities for those who will carry the traditions forward. Lifting Culture. Throwing Tradition.

SN 2 EPS 1: The Games Are Moving Forward - From the Throwing Circle to the Highland Games Field

After an unexpected hiatus, Rally the Tartans returns with a look at where we've been, where the Highland Games community stands today, and where we believe the future is headed. In this season premiere, host Michael Paul Wolfgar Lewis opens up about the show's absence, the challenges behind the scenes, and the work that was happening while the microphones were silent. More importantly, we discuss a powerful truth: the Games never stopped. The culture never stopped. The athletes never stopped. We were rebuilding. Join us as we recap the first half of the 2026 Highland Games season, highlight emerging athletes, celebrate the volunteers and organizers keeping traditions alive, and explore the growing momentum behind Scottish heritage and heavy athletics across North America. Highland Games continue to serve as a gathering place where sport, culture, clans, and community come together. We also discuss two exciting possibilities that could help shape the future of Scottish athletics in the Ohio Valley: * The vision and early development of the Ohio Valley Scottish Heritage Foundation, dedicated to preserving, promoting, and growing Scottish heritage and culture. * Efforts to establish the first-ever Highland Games Sports Club at the University of Cincinnati, creating a pathway for collegiate athletes to discover and compete in the traditional heavy events. From the shot put ring and discus cage to the caber field and stone circle, this episode explores how athletes are finding a second competitive home in Highland Games and why the next generation may be the most important one yet. Whether you're a seasoned competitor, a proud clan member, or someone curious about stepping onto the field for the first time, this episode is a reminder that tradition isn't standing still—it's moving forward. The Games are moving forward. The question is: are you coming with us? #RallyTheTartans #HighlandGames #ScottishAthletics #ThrowingTradition #OhioValleyScottishHeritageFoundation #UniversityOfCincinnati #ScottishCulture #ClanLife #HeavyEvents #LiftingCultureThrowingTradition

Rally the Tartans - Special Announcement

A quick announcement from host Michael Paul Wolfgar Lewis. Rally the Tartans is officially moving to Spotify for Podcasters! All new episodes, guest interviews, and exclusive content will now premiere there. Follow us on Spotify to stay connected, never miss an episode, and help us continue lifting culture and throwing tradition. Listen now → https://open.spotify.com/show/56dpgCTyOxYg4nVGwOqLB3?si=63e1015222dd4f0a

Rally the Tartans – Episode 7: “The Scottish Diaspora & The Rebel Architect Danny Webster”

From the mist-covered Highlands to the heart of America, the Scottish spirit has never stopped building, adapting, and thriving. In this episode, host Michael Paul Wolfgar Lewis explores the enduring legacy of the Scottish Diaspora, how our people carried strength, tradition, and the Games themselves across oceans and generations. Then, we step into the circle with Danny Webster, the Rebel Architect behind The Backyard Rebellion, a grassroots Highland Games movement born in the heart of lockdowns. Danny’s story is one of resilience, innovation, and pure passion, proving that when the world tried to shut the Games down, he built a new arena to keep them alive. Heritage. Grit. Rebellion. This is what it means to Rally the Tartans. Visit https://backyardrebellion.com/ to register for games and buy some amazing merch!