118th Maclean Highland Gathering, 7-8 April 2023

The popular Maclean Highland Gathering has been held for over 100 years during the Easter weekend.

Every Easter, “The Scottish Town” in Australia — AKA Maclean — celebrates its origins by hosting the Maclean Highland Gathering every Easter.

First formed as the Lower Clarence Caledonian Association following the success of the first Highland Gathering held at Murrayville in 1893, the first Highland Gathering in Maclean was held at the Maclean Showgrounds the following year in 1894 where it has called home for the past 128 years.

Providing the opportunity for high level competition for pipers, drummers, dancers and sportsmen and women in their chosen Scottish cultural pursuit has always been at the heart of Maclean’s Highland Gathering from its inception and the gathering has grown to become one of Australia’s pre-eminent Scottish cultural events.

Download the schedule here.

Solo Piping

The Maclean Highland Gathering Solo Piping Competition takes place in Maclean on Easter Friday afternoon and evening. Hundreds of pipers from across the country gather to compete in one of Australia’s foremost solo piping competitions.

Whether your interest is in the ancient and melodic sounds of the Piobaireachd, or Ceòl mór, with compositions dating back many hundreds of years, or the light music (Ceòl beag) with more modern, up tempo marches and the dance tunes of the strathspeys, reels, hornpipes and jigs, there is something for you to enjoy.

Highland Dancing

Highland Dancing is distinct from Scottish Country Dancing. The Gillie Callum (Sword Dance) is the oldest and dates back to the 11th Century. The Highland Fling is said to have been inspired by the sight of a stag wandering the hills with the arms of the dancer forming the shape of the antlers. The Saenn Truibheas (Old Trousers) dates back to the time after Culloden in 1746 when the kilt was forbidden.

Highland Games

Maclean Highland sport has grown over the years to provide a unique combination of culture, sport and social entertainment. From traditional heavy athletics like caber tossing, log wrestling, shot put, famers walk to field and track events. The Highland games at Maclean attract competitors for the social participation, rather than highly competitive. The games are a spectacle like no other with a programme for Men, Ladies, Boys and Girls.

Pipe Bands

If you want to see some of Australia's best pipe bands on a truly spectacular scale, then the Maclean Highland Gathering is for you.

On Saturday morning, the competing bands parade through the streets of Maclean to the delight of the gathered crowd on their way to the Maclean Showground where they battle across the day to determine who will take the trophies in one of the most competitive pipe band events on the Australian calendar.

The climax of the event sees all pipe bands get together and salute the Chieftain and the crowds on the hill of the Maclean Showground – one of the largest gathering of its kind in Australia. The sight and sound of 100's of pipers and drummers playing in unison in this unique setting is an unforgettable experience. 

The sheer brilliance of the pipers and drummers makes this an event not to be missed.

Tartans on Telegraph Poles

One of the town's most distinctive symbols are the Scottish tartans which have been painted on the base of around 200 telegraph poles. Visitors who are interested can drive around town identifying the clan tartans that, conveniently, have all be named.

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