This weekend marks the 120th anniversary of the Maclean Highland Gathering in Australia. Recently we caught up with one of the organizers, Alister Smith, to discuss the event’s past, present, and future.

What are your own roots?
I have Scottish ancestry on both sides. My father has, amongst his forebears, Henderson’s and Gourlay’s from Cupar, in Fife. My mother’s maiden name is MacSwan and her predecessor’s originated from the Isle of Skye, Scotland. The family initially arrived ion the MS Midlothian in 1837 and made it up to the Clarence River area by the mid-1850s.

When and why did you first become involved with the Maclean Highland Gathering?
My parents have been involved since before I was born and are still very active in the Lower Clarence Scottish Association at age 83 and 84. My father, is the current Chief of the Lower Clarence Scottish Association and my mother has been involved with the organisation of the Highland dancing at Maclean since the 1960s – over 60 years now. Personally, I can only remember missing two gatherings in the last 56 years.

What are your roles and responsibilities there?
I am the Secretary of the Lower Clarence Scottish Association, and our primary function is to organise the annual Maclean Highland Gathering. The first gathering was held in 1893 and, in the 132 years since, we have held 119 Highland Gathering, really only missing due to the World Wars and COVID. As Secretary, I pull together all the licencing, compliance with council and government requirements and sponsorship etc. assist with the organisation of the Pipe Band competition and assist where I can across the other activities. I am the main contact point for those interested in finding out more information and organising the event. However, we have a wonderful team of very hard working Committee members and volunteers.

What are the challenges involved?
There are a lot of moving parts, government regulations etc. The Highland Gathering includes solo piping and drumming competitions, Highland dancing, Highland sports and Pipe Band competitions. Most of these competitions have to be organised in line with the rules set out by several different associations. Unlike some events, we like to run all of those events together – solo piping and drumming on Friday and Friday evening and Pipe Bands, Highland Dancing and the Sports all in the main arena at the Maclean Showground on our main day, on Saturday. That requires some tight scheduling, we organise adjudicators etc from all over Australia and internationally, so it takes a lot of work to pull it all together. As a primarily outdoor event, the weather is always a challenged, but not one we have any real control over. Finding accommodation is very difficult at times – it is a busy time of year in the region, and we have some limitations with that.

What are the rewards?
The aim of the Lower Clarence Scottish Association is to promote the Scottish Culture in Australia. So fulfilling that aim each year, is fulfilling. We give our competitors and performing artists a place to follow their passion, we get to see young people develop their abilities in dance or music and each year you see families coming back and watch how those young people have grown and improved, and without our event, they might not get that opportunity. Over 130 years ago, our forebears saw a need to provide an event that would allow them to maintain their Scottish culture and it is very satisfying to know that we are still able to do that. But for me, the key is in the name – it is a Highland Gathering – and it is in the gathering of friend and families that have been coming together for many years to share our common culture, so it is great to catch up with everyone.

Who is invited, and how do you reach them?
The event is open to anyone with an interest in the Scottish culture. We use a lot of Social Media (Facebook and Instagram) these days, our own website to carry all the important information and local radio and print media.

What has the response been like so far?
We have had an excellent response so far with over 21 pipe bands attending, a very strong field of solo piping, drumming and Highland dancing entrants and likely a strong field of local participants for the sports. While you can buy tickets at the gate, on the day, we have already seen good online ticket sales. So, I think, as long as the weather is kind, we are looking at another great Maclean Highland Gathering.

Why is it an important event?
We have one of the strongest solo piping and Pipe Band competitions in Australia outside of major championship, which is a wonderful achievement from a small country town. There was once a network of competitions throughout the country, but we are one of the only remaining few and one of the strongest regional competitions in Australia. We have developed an international reputation, and a lot of players, dancers and bands have now added playing or dancing at Maclean.

What can attendees expect?
We have seven major events within the Gathering itself. Solo piping and drumming competitions on Friday afternoon. A Ceilidh in the Street with Scottish singers, dancers and bands, from 7.00 pm on Friday night. One of the strongest A Grade Piping competitions in Australia on Friday night at three locations in Maclean’s main street. On Saturday, we begin with Pipe Bands on Parade, where all the bands who will compete later that day, and some other visiting bands, March through Maclean from 8.30 pm. Then it is out to the Maclean Showground for Highland dancing, Pipe Band Competitions and Highland Sports. There are three large food kiosks and some Scottish theme stalls. There is always something happening in the main arena and plenty to watch. And to finish it all off, we have an International Piping Recital, featuring one of the world’s finest pipers, Stuart Liddell MBE, Pipe Major of the current World Champions, Inverary & District Pipe Band and one of the top solo players in the world.

From your perspective, are young people still interested in their Scottish/Celtic heritage?
Yes, very much so. If there are people to teach and share and carry on the culture, then young people will avail themselves of it. We have over 200 solo competitors across drumming, dancing and piping and 70% of those are young people.

What are your thoughts on Scottish/Irish/Celtic culture in Australia?
I guess, as the demographics change and immigration flows from many different countries then, as part of the general population our presence is a little diluted, but I also see some of the children that are learning the pipes and drums now and they include boys and girls from a wide range of backgrounds. I think there will always be an interest here and I feel that other people from other cultures are interested in sharing what we have. Every now and again, there is an event or something in popular culture that reignites interest in the culture. On the Scottish side of things, I can remember the impact of Mel Gibson’s Braveheart in the early 1990s or, more recently, the Outlander, TV series. The Irish equivalent that stands out to me is Riverdance. It seems to start people looking for a connection to something and they get involved and they get their children involved. I understand a remake of The Highlander movie will be filmed during this year. I wonder if that will have the same effect.

How can it be improved?
Get involved as an individual. Learn or teach if you have the skills and be prepared to volunteer your time. Start something small and just keep building it. Not all events have to be big, and each will have its own unique feel. Some to the best Highland gatherings I have been to (outside our own of course) have been small ones. If you think there is something that is not being represented in the culture in your area, whether it be Literature or Art or Music or Sports, then maybe you can fill that gap. Find a group and offer your assistance. We have a fantastic group of volunteers. The people that make steak sandwiches or sell gate tickets or help mark out the fields for the sports events or pick up the bins do as much to promote the culture and our event as those who are immersed in the music or dancing elements. Without them our event doesn’t continue. I would also say, don’t wait for government assistance if you want to do something. We get fantastic support from our local council, and we value it greatly but, at the end of the day, it is not the job of government to promote our culture, it’s ours. Hook in.

www.macleanhighlandgathering.com.au