Annual Highland event open to everyone
IF YOU want to celebrate all things Scottish, including bagpipes, drums, dancing, caber and tossing, make your way to Cambridge High School this weekend for this year’s Eastern Cape Highland Gathering.
These gatherings are more than 100 years old, having begun as occasions when the Scottish settlers met to trade and to socialise.
Greek, French, and Bollywood performers, as well as the East London Boys’ Brigade are included in the event .
It is not only a public event , but also includes a competition, with pipers, drummers and dancers coming from Port Elizabeth a
nd Cape Town to compete for the title and trophy.
Port Elizabeth, Cape Town and East London rotate to host the annual event .
One of the organisers, Dave Rankin, said Scottish people were very proud of their culture and were excited to be hosting the event during Heritage Month.
“We invite everyone; we want a mix of different cultures. It may so happen that we learn a thing or two from each other,” he said.
Rankin also said the competitions were not for professionals, but just for fun.
“Bring your whole family and have a great time. Meet old friends and make new ones.
“People must come and different clans can wear what they wear in their culture.”
Doors open at 8.30am on Saturday and R20 gets you in.
To book a stall, at R50, contact Rankin on 082-900-0948.
Rankin said food and drink stalls had already been organised, but people were welcome to sell other goods.
