HEAD to Geelong next month and you could be forgiven for thinking you’re deep in the Scottish Highlands.
That’s when the state’s top bagpipe players and drummers will face off at the Victorian Pipe Band Championships.
The contest is part of the Geelong Highland Gathering, now in its 160th year, being held at Goldsworthy Reserve.
It is the second time the gathering, first held on New Year’s Day in 1858, will host the pipe band championships.
As well as a chance to hear these amazing pipe bands in action, the gathering will feature events including the South Pacific Heavy Scottish Games Championships, Highland and Scottish country dancing and historic re-enactments from the 42nd Highland Regiment and New Varangian Guard groups.
Fans of swashbuckling adventure can watch swordplay demonstrations from members of the Glen Lachlan College of Arms group and dog lovers can check out the Scottish dogs show.
For foodies, there will be haggis and other Scottish fare to sample as well as whisky tasting.
Make sure you hang around for the grand finale – the massed pipe bands at the end of the day.
- 2017 Geelong Highland Gathering, Goldsworthy Reserve, Corio, March 19, www.geelonghighlandgathering.org.au
