The Geelong Highland Gathering returns for 2019 at the new venue of Osborne Park Oval in Swinburne Street, North Geelong on St Patrick’s Day Sunday March 17.
The event has moved from Goldsworthy Oval, its home for the past few years due to upgrades being undertaken at the site.
The Highland Gathering is one of Geelong’s oldest events dating back 162 years to 1858 when it was first held on what was plains in South Geelong, where it remained until around the depression. The Commun Na Feinne one of Geelong’s more popular pubs gets its name from the Society that formed the festival and is close to the original grounds.
The modern era saw Queen’s Park the venue for just under 40 years before it moving to various locations including the Geelong Showgrounds, Fyansford and Deakin University in Waurn Ponds and Corio.
The day will be a celebration of everything Scottish, with dancing, pipe bands, heavy games and even Scottish Dogs. There will be a wide array of traditional food including the infamous haggis, square
sausage and rich buttery short breads and even a bar where the popular soft drink Irn Bru is sure to be on sale.
The magnificent 42 Royal Highland Regiment will be returning to the event and are not to be missed in their spectacular costumes and drill and with all the interest in medieval culture spanning from TV series like Game of Thrones martial arts has become a very popular spectator sport, and the Highland Gathering will be holding various sword and martial arts displays during the day by the Western Martial Academies of Australia.
Dozens of clans from all over the state are expected to attend the event many with memorabilia for sale and plenty of information on heritage on offer and kids are not forgotten with plenty of fun for
them including jumping castles, a petting zoo, roaming entertainment and other free fun.