Organisers are anticipating a big turnout for the 114th Maclean Highland Gathering, which will be held over the Easter weekend, 30-31 March 2018. Image: Lynne Mowbray

  Lynne Mowbray Preparations are under way for the running of the 114th Maclean Highland Gathering, which will be held over the Easter weekend, 30-31 March 2018. The venue for this year’s event has been a bit of a concern for the organisers, after wild storm caused severe damage to the Maclean Showground, on 2 January, this year. Lower Clarence Scottish Association Chief Peter Smith said that there had been rumours that this year’s event was cancelled; but this is not the case. “The Highland Gathering is definitely going ahead,” Mr Smith said. “At this stage we are confident that it will still be at the Showground, even if we don’t have the use of the stands. “We are still waiting to hear back from the council and we are trying to arrange a meeting with them to discuss the options. “Nothing has been confirmed at the moment but if we can’t use the Showground, then we will look at alternative venues,” he said. With the Highland Gathering only eight weeks away, organisers are anticipating a big gathering this year. “The Australian Pipe Band Championships are being held in Brisbane the week after the gathering so we are expecting a big gathering this year,” Mr Smith said. “We have had a lot of interest from a WA band and our two special guests this year are from NZ; Richard Hawke and Emmett Conway. “We are expecting bands from WA, QLD, VIC and NSW, so it’s bound to be a big weekend for sure,” he said.