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North Carolina

The Legacy of the Scots-Irish: Historical Migration to Cultural Inspiration

Program No. 20141RJ
Learn how the Scots-Irish helped shape our nation as you explore their contributions to Appalachian culture, Civil War history and the drafting of the Declaration of Independence.
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ClassroomHistoryRetreats
Length
6 days
Rating (5)
Activity Level
Starts at
999

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6 days
5 nights
15 meals
5B 5L 5D
1
check-in (arrival), getting settled, dinner, and orientation
Montreat, NC
2
Who are the Celts? Celtic Christianity, Influence on America
Montreat, NC
3
Reformation, Influence on America, Life in the lowlands
Montreat, NC
4
First Americans; Migration to America, free aft, Music
Montreat, NC
5
Music, Stories, Christmas; Shaped Notes; Oak and Grist
Montreat, NC
6
Scots Irish Influence on America
Montreat, NC
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At a Glance

From the 17th Century to the present, the saga of Scots-Irish history and culture is one of our nation’s most fascinating stories. Trace the path of the Scots-Irish and discover why many settled in the Southern Appalachian region, where they adapted to conquer adversities, tame the wilderness and became great inventors and explorers. Discover cultural traditions from the old country that found fertile ground in Appalachia, and see how music, story and dance flourished and took on new life in the isolation of mountain life.
Activity Level
Easy Going
All facilities are in one building, with approximately 300 yards walking required; a few stairs. Outside areas are mountainous, with inclines and uneven terrain.

Best of all, you’ll…

  • Get a new perspective on the music, crafts and history of Southern Appalachia during field trips to the Swannanoa Valley Museum and History Center and the Folk Art Center.
  • Visit the Oak and Grist Distillery and learn about their history and process. We'll visit the tasting room too!
  • Learn about the Scots who were instrumental in the drafting of the Declaration of Independence and about the 21 men of Gallic descent who signed it.

General Notes

The Retreat Difference: This unique, often basic and no-frills experience at a Road Scholar Retreat includes opportunities for early morning exercise, interaction with the local community for insight into local life, an authentic farm-to-table or locally sourced meal, a live performance or event, and a value-priced single room. Opportunities are available for traveling companions to attend a different program at Montreat during the same week. Due to the nature of this program, listening devices will be unavailable.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
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Sam Hobson
A native of Black Mountain, N.C., Sam Hobson is a retired Presbyterian Church pastor. He is a trainer for facilitators of Healthy Congregations workshops and is a bridge builder for conflict management, and is working to write training manuals for leaders in the church. He is also a homebrewer!

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Sam Hobson
Sam Hobson View biography
A native of Black Mountain, N.C., Sam Hobson is a retired Presbyterian Church pastor. He is a trainer for facilitators of Healthy Congregations workshops and is a bridge builder for conflict management, and is working to write training manuals for leaders in the church. He is also a homebrewer!
Profile Image of Righton McCallum
Righton McCallum View biography
Righton McCallum is a retired English teacher and research librarian. She has taught the local history and research course at Blue Ridge Community College in Hendersonville, N.C. Righton authored the folklore chapter of the textbook “North Carolina Research: Genealogy and Local History” and has also written two books of her own Carolina-inspired poetry, “The Montreat Gate” and “Beside the Lake.” She and her husband have two sons, three granddaughters, and one grandson; they are all owned by a tabby cat.
Profile Image of Tracy Bailey
Tracy Bailey View biography
Tracy has been on the program staff of Montreat Conference Center since 1986. She began working with Elderhostel programs in 1989, and in 1997 assumed the additional role of on-site coordinator. A native of the area, she graduated from Asheville-Buncombe Technical College in 1981. Her favorite hobbies are hiking, pottery and reading. Tracy married Sam in 2007, and added three daughters to her family. In addition to her own grown children, she and Sam have been foster parents since 2010. They have four grandchildren.
Profile Image of Lee Knight
Lee Knight View biography
Lee Knight is a folk singer, storyteller, and Road Scholar instructor of 45 years. Raised in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York, he performs at concerts, workshops, festivals, and schools. Lee shares his knowledge of the natural world as well as music and stories of the Southern Appalachian mountains. He has collected and shares Cherokee legends, and plays the Cherokee flute and rattle, as well as the Native American drum. He also plays the five-string banjo, guitars, and the Appalachian dulcimer.
Profile Image of Don Talley
Don Talley View biography
Don Talley first became interested in the culture and history of Southern Appalachia while in college 45 years ago, later moving to the mountains of western North Carolina. Don is passionate about the cultural crossroads of Southern Appalachia where the heritage of the early Scots-Irish, English, and German settlers intermingled with the culture of the Cherokees and African-Americans who also call the area home. He is particularly interested in the fiddle and banjo traditions, ballad singing, storytelling, dance, crafts, food, religion and other folkways.
Profile Image of Bekah Caruso
Bekah Caruso View biography
Bekah Caruso moved to Black Mountain in March of 2023, after 34 years in Nashville, Tennessee. She has been coming to Montreat since the 1950s. In 2009, she retired from First Presbyterian Church-Nashville, where she served as the coordinator of children’s choirs. Bekah was born into the Kennedy clan of South Carolina, who claim Culzean Castle as the ancestral home in Ayrshire on the southwest coast of Scotland. She and her husband enjoy visiting national parks, walking, reading and watching PBS Passport.
Profile Image of Daniel (Dan) Pierce
Daniel (Dan) S. Pierce View biography
Dan Pierce is a professor emeritus of history at the University of North Carolina Asheville where he taught courses in Appalachian, North Carolina, Southern, and environmental history. He earned his Ph.D. at the University of Tennessee. Dan is the author of 'Tarheel Lightnin’: How Secret Stills and Fast Cars Made NC the Moonshine Capital of the World,' 'The Great Smokies: From Natural Habitat to National Park,' 'Corn From a Jar: Moonshining in the Great Smoky Mountains,' and many others.
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