Strongmen hurling cabers, Highland cows meeting the crowd and a massed pipe band marching to Scotland the Brave: the Bonnie Wingham Scottish Festival returns to Wingham Showground on Saturday, 26 September with a line-up of first-time attractions.
The festival came close to ending altogether two years ago, when the original committee, made up largely of founding members, decided to step back after more than two decades at the helm.
“The previous committee (most of them original founding members) had decided to have a well-deserved rest after 20-odd years and were going to retire the festival,” said committee chair Heidi Lyon. “I was one of a group of interested people hoping to continue the festival and so a new committee was formed.”
Ms Lyon has been involved for the past two years, and said the transition has not been without its challenges.
“It has been a big learning curve, but I’m so proud of what our team has delivered so far,” she said.
The biggest drawcard this year is the arrival of Highland Muscle, who will compete in and demonstrate traditional Highland games heavy events.
“They will be competing in and demonstrating traditional Highland games heavy events. It will be impressive to see these guys do their thing!!” said Ms Lyon. “Their events will include the Caber Toss and the Heavy Stone Put along with many other impressive displays of strength.”
The athletes will also run a come and try session, giving guided instruction to anyone in the crowd keen to have a go.
A similar hands-on approach applies on the dance stage, where Highland Dance with Enya will perform throughout the day.
“They will also run a ‘come and try’ session for any aspiring dancers in the crowd! And, of course, we will have pipe band displays all day providing traditional music and fun,” said Ms Lyon.
Koolah Creek Highlands will bring their Highland cows along for the day, while the Highland Rose Jacobite Living History group will set up a historical camp and run weapon displays.
For visitors chasing food and shopping, the showground will host Scottish-themed stalls alongside a range of food vendors. The Burrell Creek Hall Committee will run a barbecue and sell haggis melts, and a number of clan tents will be on site, along with the Scottish Australian Heritage Council for anyone wanting to research their family history.
The festival holds particular meaning for Ms Lyon, who grew up in Wingham and now watches her own children take part.
“The festival is close to my heart as a local Wingham girl,” she said. “My children have always looked forward to this event every year, even before they became involved in pipe bands.”
That involvement began at the 2021 festival, when her son approached the local pipe band to ask how he could learn the bagpipes.
“He’s been hooked ever since and this then led to his younger sister joining the band to learn the snare drum,” said Ms Lyon.
Both children now play with the Manning Valley Pipes and Drums, the community band where they first learned, and have competed overseas with the NSW Highlanders.
The festival itself was once a far larger affair, and the new committee is working to build it back up.
“In the early days, the festival was a multi-day event with Ceilidhs, the main fair day, bus trips to historical sites around the Manning area, just to name a few,” said Ms Lyon. “In more recent times the festival has been reduced to the main fair day and a Scottish Concert. We are hoping to gradually build the festival back up by introducing new attractions each year.”
That plan already has a headline act lined up for 2027.
“Next year we have big plans to add jousting displays to the festival which will be a huge addition!” said Ms Lyon.
For now, the committee is focused on the day itself, and on one moment in particular that draws the crowd together at both ends of the program.
“The massed pipes and drums during the opening and closing ceremonies is always a crowd favourite,” said Ms Lyon. “There’s nothing quite like a massed band marching together playing Scotland the Brave!”
Tickets are available at events.humanitix.com/scottish-festival-26
“My advice to anyone who hasn’t yet experienced a Highland Gathering would be to come and immerse yourself in the music and tradition! You’ll absolutely love it,” said Ms Lyon.
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