November 8th, 2024Scottish heritage on show at the Daylesford Highland Gathering
The Daylesford Highland Gathering has a new committee – and the December 7 event will now include Highland Games after more than a 20 – year absence. Think caber tossing, weightlifting, hammer throws and stone puts.
There will also be a Highland cattle display and a Highland dog display – along with plenty of bagpipes, dancing and kilts.
The day starts at Victoria Park at 9am with the pipe bands marching along Vincent Street at 9.30am. Then it’s back to the park for the band competition from 11am with the official opening at 1pm.
President Chris Sinclair said Victoria Park will also be alive with loads of other attractions, stalls and a variety of vendors.
“We are trying to reinvigorate the event. And we also want the locals to come up to Victoria Park and see us in action rather than just watch the street march.”
Chris said the event will end with final presentations around 4.30pm with the mass bands event – with all the competing bands and invitational bands coming together to play a salute to the chieftain and receive their results.
“It’s the end of the day ceremony with as many pipers and drummers we can get on the field.”
Chris said the aim of the new committee was to start off small and slowly build the event in the years to come for locals and visitors alike.
“We’re trying to attract people who are travelling in the region with an interest in Scottish heritage and also wanting to build a strong local network.
The Daylesford band will be taking part in the street march and the Highland Gathering has been happening at Daylesford since 1952 with the exception of two years because of Covid.
“Last year we only had 600 through the gate, although if you add the participants it’s up to about 900. But we would like to hit about 1400 this year and then upwards and onwards.
“I’ve been going since 1975 when I was a teenager and played bagpipes in a band and the numbers back then were probably around the 3000 mark.”
Entry is $15 for adults with free entry for children 12 and under. Link: www.daylesfordhighland.com
