Hamilton — Kilts and bagpipes filled the grounds at Daly Mansion as the Bitterroot Celtic Games returned for their 17th year.

The event took place in Hamilton at Daly Mansion, which organizers said fits the gathering well because Irish migrant and Copper King Marcus Daly built it. Many in the Bitterroot have Irish and Scottish heritage because millworkers settled there around Daly’s time.

“You can't ask for a better place than the grounds here at Daly Mansion because this is so close to a glen in Scotland with the trees. The events are scattered around the little glens. It's like experiencing Scotland in person,” said Don McCammon the regional director for Scottish The Clan Buchanan.

Laura Reichart runs the event as president of the Bitterroot Celtic Society and she said gatherings like this have deep roots.

“The actual Highland gatherings are about 800 years old. What we're doing isn't anything new," she said. "Back in the day, the clans would gather, usually in the fall after the crops had come in, and they would all have a chance to meet each other and tell stories, do music, do the Highland games and have a good time."

Reichart says the event offers something for everyone, including games, music, food and dancing. Athletic events also included the skillet toss, tug-of-war and sheaf toss.

McCammon says the gathering also creates space for people to connect through a shared background.

“When the clearances occurred, [the Scotts] got scattered around the world. We celebrate that gathering together as a way to share our common heritage. It's a very inclusive community as well. So that's important for us to share that,” said McCammon.