Weather conditions could not have been better for the running of the 113th Maclean Highland Gathering, which was held over the Easter weekend. Lower Clarence Scottish Association Inc. publicity officer Bob MacPherson said that it was a wonderful gathering. “The weather was kind and the numbers attending this year’s event, broke all records,” said Mr MacPherson. “It was bigger and better than ever before.” The numbers attending Friday evenings ‘Ceilidh in the Park’ in McLachlan Park, Maclean, was a good indication that it was going to be a big weekend. SPAR Maclean owner Bob Little, who’s store overlooks the McLachlan Park, told Mr MacPherson that he’s never seen anything like the numbers attending Friday night’s event. Mr MacPherson said that the crowd attending Saturday’s events at the Maclean Showground loved being able to watch a variety of events from the grandstand. “Unlike some gatherings, which only cater for piping, the crowd attending the Maclean Highland Gathering can enjoy watching a combination of events all at the one venue, from the grandstand. “The crowd attending this year’s event was the biggest we’ve seen in Maclean; even topping the record crowd for the 100th Highland Gathering, in 2004.” The last event on the weekend calendar was held at the Maclean Services Club on Saturday evening and according to Mr MacPherson, was the best part of the weekend. “Champion guest piper Alisdair Henderson from Scotland, who is ranked 10th in the world, would be the best we’ve heard in Maclean in my lifetime,” said Mr MacPherson. “His pipes had a musically sweet balanced sound and according to some of the old time pipers and was the best they’d heard.” “Well travelled gold medallist piper, Dr McInnes from Grafton also confirmed, that he has not heard any better.”