BRUNSWICK – Thousands of Scottish descendants from Maine celebrated their heritage Saturday at the annual Highland Games and Scottish Festival at Thomas Point beach.

Macbeans, Macdougals, and Macduffs mixed with other Scottish surnames at the 25th anniversary of the event, sponsored by the St. Andrew’s Society of Maine.

Scots nationwide take their festivals so seriously that they schedule them in various states so as not to conflict with each other. “Ours is always the third Saturday each August, and if it rains, we miss a year,” said Roger Murray of South Portland, society treasurer.

The Scots have made a rule that no two such festivals within 300 miles can be held on the same day. The festival includes Highland and Scottish dancing, clan and society tents, bagpipes, athletic games, arts, crafts and folk singing and is designed to promote Scottish heritage and raise money for scholarships for those studying Scottish culture and history.

Games of agility and strength have been practiced in the Scottish Highlands since the early 1800s.