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Commemorative Landscapes of North Carolina
Commemorative Landscapes of North Carolina
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Source:  Highland Scotch Monument, Fayetteville. Photo courtesy of Rusty Long

  • Monument Name

    Highland Scotch Monument, Fayetteville

  • Type

    Marker

  • Subjects

    Colonial History

  • City

    Fayetteville

  • County

    Cumberland

  • Description

    The Highland Scotch memorial is a large lectern shaped block of granite about three feet tall with a bronze plaque attached. The plaque has a decorative frame with a Scottish thistle appearing in relief above the inscription. This thistle is the oldest recorded national flower. Lighted flagpoles stand to either side and in front of the memorial.

    Images: Far-off view | Plaque

  • Inscription

    COMMEMORATING THE SETTLEMENT / OF THE UPPER CAPE FEAR BY THE / HIGHLAND SCOTCH / TWO HUNDRETH ANNIVERSARY / ERECTED 1939

  • Custodian

    City of Fayetteville

  • Dedication Date

    November 22, 1939

  • Decade

    1930s

  • Geographic Coordinates

    35.053790 , -78.881840 View in Geobrowsemap pin

  • Supporting Sources

      Paul Green. The Highland Call, (The University of North Carolina Press, November 2011) Link

      “Gaelic Beginnings Trail,” Fayetteville North Carolina Trails, fayettevillenctrails.com, (accessed June 11, 2016) Link

      “Games Of Scotch Settlers Revived,” The Robesonian (Lumberton, NC), November 24, 1939

      “Highland Call’ Is Set For Premier,” Fayetteville Observer (Fayetteville, NC), November 13, 1939, (accessed July 25, 2016) Link

      “The Highland Call,” The Robesonian (Lumberton, NC), November 17, 1939

  • Public Site

    Yes

  • Materials & Techniques

    Bronze, granite

  • Monument Dedication and Unveiling

    The memorial dedication was the culmination of several days of activities that saw the resurrection of traditional games and music of the Highland Scots. Thirty clans were present to watch the throwing of the caber, battle re-enactments, the Highland fling and a cornhusking competition. After a parade of 1500 troops from Ft. Bragg under the command of General William Bryden the memorial was dedicated. University of North Carolina President Frank Porter Graham was one of featured speakers.

  • Subject Notes

    Members of the Carolina Playmakers Theater from the University of North Carolina under the direction of John W. Parker premiered Paul Green’s play “The Highland Call.” This two act play was commissioned for the bicentennial celebration of the Highland Scots settlement of the Cape Fear Valley. The story centers on the life of Flora McDonald, a friend and protector of Bonnie Prince Charles (Charles Edward Stuart). McDonald and her family came to the area in 1774 to find a place of peace that she had never known in Scotland.

  • Location

    The marker is located near the point of the V shaped intersection of Hay Street and Ray Avenue in downtown Fayetteville.

  • Landscape

    The memorial stands on a paved sidewalk, with a fountain and shady trees behind it.

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