An estimated record number of spectators tartaned up and headed to the riverside community of Maclean on April 7 and 8 to experience a jubilant, colourful, and cultural celebration of all things Scottish during the 118th Maclean Highland Gathering.

Amidst the dominant humming of bagpipes, Chief Peter Smith from the Lower Clarence Scottish Association declared the crowd was the largest he had seen in more than 20 years, adding it was likely to have surpassed the previous record established at the 100th Maclean Highland Gathering in 2004.

As 22 pipe bands, including 16 visiting from Queensland, marched down River Street during the traditional pipe band parade, prior to joining the Highland dancers, Highland games, and Scottish markets at the Maclean Showground, the crowd cheered and applauded loudly as they embraced the ambience of the occasion.

Gold Coast holiday revellers Dougray and Laylah Jennings and their children, Hamish, 7, and Savannah, 9, said they passed through the Clarence Valley by chance during the Easter long weekend, and told the Clarence Valley Independent they were absolutely thrilled to experience their first Maclean Highland Gathering in 2023.

“We never expected to have as much fun as we did,” Mrs Jennings recalled.

“Initially we planned to go to Yamba for Easter, but on a whim, we decided to visit Maclean on our way through, and we happened upon the Scottish celebrations which were unfolding at the time, and we decided to join in with the festivities and embrace the party atmosphere, which we did with gusto.

“It was such a fantastic event, and the kids loved watching the pipe bands parade through Maclean.

“We also watched and learned a lot about the traditional Highland games, music, and dancing, and I just felt like the whole experience has been such a cultural learning curve for my entire family.”

As the Jennings family enjoyed their first outing in the Lower Clarence during the 118th Maclean Highland Gathering, local participants featured prominently among the prize winners in several competitions over the two-day event with Mia Quelch of Palmers Channel claiming a well-deserved win in the Clarence Valley Council (CVC) Scholarship for Highland dancing, and Glenugie resident Will Rhodes winning the Clarence Valley Council (CVC) Scholarship for Drumming.

One of the highlights during the Easter long weekend was the long-awaited return of the Maclean and District Pipe Band to the competition circuit, which they did in style, winning the Grade 4B Pipe Band Contest, a spectacular accomplishment that was made even more remarkable considering four of the six drummers, Nicole Rodgers, Will Rhodes, Chelsea Wakefield, and Justine Wallace, only picked up the sticks for the first time in August last year.

The climax of the event was the sight of over 400 pipers and drummers combining to entertain the crowds with several sets, including a stirring rendition of Amazing Grace, and as the 118th Maclean Highland Gathering drew to a close, over 150 attendees gathered in the Maclean Civic Hall to listen to international guest piper, Roddy MacLeod of Scotland, delight the crowd with his outstanding musical talent.   

For the full list of results from the 118th Maclean Highland Gathering, please visit www.clarencevalleynews.com.au.

This article appeared in the Clarence Valley Independent, 19 April 2023.