THE Coffs Coast Pipes and Drums band is preparing to attend the Maclean Highland Gathering at Maclean over the Easter weekend.

“While the band is not competing, the members attend the 8.30am street march on Easter Saturday morning, play near the Spar supermarket in main street and enjoy the Highland Gathering until the mass bands start at 4pm,” spokesperson for the band Dale Rodgers told News Of The Area.

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“On Friday night, April 7, there’s a Ceilidh with mass bands performing from 7pm in the main street of Maclean.

“There is a variety of stalls, food venues, Highland dancing competition and Highland games as well as band competitions from 10am until late afternoon all at the Maclean showground.

“As fans of all-things Scottish, our members really get stuck into everything on offer at the annual Highland Gathering,” said Dale.

The organisers of the Highland Gathering, the Lower Clarence Scottish Association, exist to foster and cultivate interest in Scottish music, sports, games, dancing, literature, and Scottish life generally.

The first Highland Gathering was held at Murrayville in 1893.

In 1894 it was held at the Maclean Showgrounds, which has been the event’s home for the past 129 years.

The Highland Gatherings provide the opportunity for high level competition for pipers, drummers, dancers and sportsmen and women in their chosen Scottish cultural pursuit.

It has grown to become one of Australia’s pre-eminent Scottish cultural events.

With an active calendar of Highland-style events, the Coffs Coast Pipe and Drums band members rarely let the wind go out of their bagpipes.

On Saturday 1 April, they joined with Armidale Pipe band for the annual Armidale Autumn Festival, leading the big parade through the streets of Armidale to the festival in the park.

Some of the Coffs musicians are part of the NSW Highlanders band, which is a composite band from across regional NSW which allow members to compete at a higher level.

“This group has seen a variety of players from the Coffs Coast Pipes and Drums band travel to Glasgow, Scotland three times, the Australian Pipe Band Championships in Sydney four times and the New Zealand Championships once, as well as regional competitions,” said Dale.

The NSW Highlanders are currently practicing and fundraising to travel back to Scotland in 2024 and will compete at the Maclean Highland Gathering.

Looking ahead to ANZAC Day on April 25, the Coffs Coast Pipe and Drums band will lead the march in Coffs Harbour leaving at 9am and the Woolgoolga march at 11am.

Pipers will play at a range of local dawn services.

The Coffs Pipe and Drums band welcomes any new members who may be interested in learning to play the pipes, bass drum, snare drums or tenor drums.

All lessons are free and provided by current members.

If you have any old sets of bagpipes not being used, Coffs band would be happy to hear from you.

For enquiries phone Geoff on 0416 233 882 or visit the Coffs Coast Pipe and Drums Facebook page.

By Andrea FERRARI