The Easter weekend is only 4 weeks away from this Saturday, when Maclean will celebrate the 118th Maclean Highland Gathering on April 7-8.  

All roads will lead to Maclean for that weekend, as the town is known for its traditional annual event. The best of the best come to compete, and this year Maclean will see some of the top pipers, drummers, bands and dances coming together to fill the program.

On Friday afternoon from 12pm, why not surround yourself in the enlivening sounds of the pipes and drums on the banks of the majestic Clarence River, as you watch solo contestants compete across a number of events at the Maclean showground.

Friday night starting at 6pm, the A Grade solo pipers move into town centre halls competing across three demanding disciplines of Piobaireachd, March, Strathspey and Reel and Air, Hornpipe and Jigs.

The champion piper of the event will win the McSwan Family Gold Medal, this is the top shelve prize that can only be won at Maclean. Friday night starting at 7pm the program moves to McLachlan Park. Bring a chair and sit by the river to enjoy all the colour and excitement of a Scottish Ceilidh. See all the action from visiting bands, Scottish folk performers, singing and traditional Highland dancing. 

Easter Saturday morning at 8.30am join the crowds that line River Street, Maclean CBD centre when Australia’s Scottish Town comes alive with the spectacular colour and sound of the Pipe Bands on Parade. Be early to get the best spot.

Easter Saturday at the showground marks the big event starting at 9am, choose a great vantage point under cover on the hill or mingle around the arena to experience a genuine gathering of the clans’ spirit.  

Some of Australia’s leading bands will compete across six grades to be crowned the 118th Maclean Highland Champions. Witness the colour and skills of over 100 Highland dancers competing in a range of age levels. Capture the thrill and spills of the Highland sports when big men flex their muscles to toss the caber and showcase their strength competing in the log wrestle. Women are included in a range of light weight Highland sports with lot of races for children in all ages.

The big event to watch is the men’s kilted dash. This is a 100-meter dash of flying kilts to the finish line. 

The massed Pipe Band display is programed to hit the centre area around 4pm, when the stirring sounds of some 500 performers combine for a memorable finale to a magical day.

Gate admission on Saturday at the showground is adults $15, aged pensioners $10 and school students $5.

The program moves to the Civic Hall on Easter Saturday night starting at 8pm for 8.15pm to listen to the great Roddy McLeod MBE from Scotland. Roddy is one of the world’s renowned pipers, who will present an evening recital on his pipes.            

Mark your calendar not to miss this Scottish weekend at Maclean.

 Bob Macpherson