Large crowds were greeted by an amazing display of pipe band music, Highland dancing, and traditional Scottish sports at the Maclean Showgrounds on March 29 and 30 during the 119th Maclean Highland Gathering.
With the traditional Street Parade consisting of 23 bands also drawing enthusiastic spectators to River Street before local entry Maclean & District Pipe Band was announced as the winner, the popular attraction was once again declared a huge success.
Locals also performed well in the various Highland dancing categories with Annabelle Hourigan the aggregate points winner in the Intermediate Section.
The Maclean & District Pipe Band enjoyed further success when they placed third in the Grade 4B competition behind the Queensland Police Juvenile Pipes & Drums from Brisbane.
The Highland sports provided fantastic thrills for the crowds throughout the event.
Skye Engley was crowned the Ladies Overall Champion with individual wins in the Farmer’s Walk and the Log Wrestle, while Caleb Attwater took out the Overall Men’s Champion, winning both the Caber Toss and the Log Wrestle, and finishing second in the Farmer’s Walk.
The Lower Clarence Scottish Association awarded six scholarships based on the recommendations of the judges.
The Clarence Valley Council (CVC) Open Dancing Scholarship was awarded to Hayley Boyd, the Trevor Essex Memorial Drumming Scholarship was won by Kayleigh Ellington, and the Andrew Baker Open Piping Scholarship was presented to William Buchan.
All awards provide $500 to the winners to further advance their progress in their chosen field. Three Local Scholarships, all sponsored by CVC, were awarded to participants from the local region and included piper, Samuel Brailsford, drummer, Neve Rhodes and dancer, Grace Kerridge.
The 120th Maclean Highland Gathering will be held on April 18 and 19, 2025.
For further information, and to view the full list of results from the 119th Maclean Highland Gathering, please visit www.macleanhighlandgathering.com.au or check the Lower Clarence Scottish Association Facebook and Instagram pages.
This article appeared in the Clarence Valley Independent, 10 April 2024.
