A Scottish CALENDAR in Australia 2019

Scroll down for the latest events

Annual
Sydney Society for Scottish History (SSSH) meetings
The monthly meeting of the SSSH is on the third Thursday evening of each month starting at 7:30pm.
For details see:
www.facebook.com/Sydney-Society-for-Scottish-History-277766848952898
Annual
Highland Dancing Competitions and Championships
Various venues
Run by the various organisations throughout Australia
www.nswhighlanddancing.com.au/competition_championships.html
www.hdcomps.com/state.php
www.sdaa.org.au

=== 2019 ===

================================ 2019 =================================
Tue January 1
Maryborough Highland Gathering
Princes Park, Maryborough, Vic
The Maryborough Highland Gathering has a proven long and proud history and is now over 155 years old; Australia’s oldest continuous running sporting event.
highlandsociety.com.au/index.php/highland-gathering
January 25, 1759
Robert Burns' 260th birthday (2019)
International
Annual celebration of Scotland's national poet Robert Burns (25 January 1759 - 21 July 1796)
www.scotland.org/celebrate-scotland/burns-night
January 31, 1762
Lachlan Macquarie's 257th birthday (2019)
International
Annual celebration of the birthday of "The Father of Australia"

Lachlan Macquarie (31 January 1762, Ulva, Scotland - 1 July 1824, St James's, London, England; buried Isle of Mull, Scotland)
Major General Lachlan Macquarie, CB was a British Army officer and colonial administrator from Scotland. Macquarie served as the fifth and last autocratic Governor of New South Wales from 1810 to 1821, and had a leading role in the social, economic and architectural development of the colony. He is considered to be "The Father of Australia," having had a crucial influence on the transition of New South Wales from a penal colony to a free settlement and, therefore, to have played a major role in the shaping of Australian society in the early nineteenth century.
www.mq.edu.au/macquarie-archive/lema/biographies/lmbiog.html
Fri February 1
SAHC's Lachlan Macquarie birthday celebration dinner
6:30pm for 7:00pm
Cello's Restaurant, Castlereagh Hotel, 169 Castlereagh St, Sydney
Speaker: Dr Matthew Glozier FRHistS FSA Scot
Topic: "Macquarie — aspirant Scottish laird and dynast"
Click here to download the booking form
RSVP by Friday 25 January 2019
Mon February 11
SAHC Annual General Meeting, Committee Meeting - All financial members welcome
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Castlereagh Hotel, 169 Castlereagh St, Sydney
Please participate in the Council's AGM by nominating for a position or sending in a proxy vote

Contact the Secretary: info {at} scottishaustralianheritagecouncil.com.au>
Mon February 11
SAHC Committee meeting - All members welcome
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Castlereagh Hotel, 169 Castlereagh St, Sydney
Contact: Susan Cooke, info {at} scottishaustralianheritagecouncil.com.au
Sun February 17
National Multicultural Festival Fri 15 to Sun 17 February)
Canberra City centre, ACT
A weekend of colour, culture, festivities, food & drink, fun.

Sunday 17 February
The Celtic Tattoo and the Celtic Village tents will be there from about 10:00am in Bunda St along from the Mort St corner.

11am to 4pm: The Celtic Tattoo is at Stage 2 [near the corner of BundaSt and Petrie St] with performances by:
  • ACT Irish Dancing
  • ACT Scottish Highland Dancing
  • Canberra Burns Club Pipe Band
  • Canberra Celtic Choir
  • Canberra Celtic Pipes and Drums Band
  • Canberra City Pipes and Drums Band
  • Canberra Scottish Country Dancing
  • Canberra Scottish Fiddlers
  • Humbug
  • Queanbeyan Pipes and Drums Band
  • Strathmannan
  • www.multiculturalfestival.com.au
    Sun February 17
    Richmond Highland Gathering
    10:00am - 4:00pm
    Village Green, Richmond, Tasmania
    www.facebook.com/StAndrewSocietyHobartTasmaniaAustralia
    Sat March 2
    Liverpool Plains Military Tattoo (Quirindi)
    Longfield Oval, Quirindi, NSW
    www.liverpoolplainsmilitarytattoo.com.au
    Sat March 2
    Scots Day Out
    Rosalind Park, 1 Williamson St, Bendigo, Victoria
    Scots Day Out is a free community event held on the first Saturday of March, organised by Golden City Pipe Band.
    www.scotsdayout.com
    Fri March 8

    International Women's Day
    Celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievement of women - from Scotland to Australia and beyond.
    www.internationalwomensday.com
    Sun March 10
    International Bagpipe Day (every March 10)
    International
    International Bagpipe Day was initiated by The Bagpipe Society UK and first held on 10 March 2012 to celebrate the world's many bagpipes and piping traditions.
    www.bagpipesociety.org.uk/international-bagpipe-day
    Sun March 17
    Geelong Highland Gathering
    Osborne Park, Swinburne Street, North Geelong, Victoria
    www.geelonghighlandgathering.org.au
    Wed March 27
    International Whisk(e)y Day (every March 27)
    International
    www.internationalwhiskyday.org
    Sun March 31
    Ringwood Highland Games
    J W Manson Reserve, Selkirk Avenue, Wantirna, Victoria
    The only Highland Gathering in the greater Melbourne area.
    ringwoodhighlandgames.org.au
    www.facebook.com/ringwoodvictoriaaustralia
    Sun March 31
    Sydney Highland Gathering
    The Scot's College in association with Pipe Bands Australia (NSW)
    Victoria Road, Bellevue Hill, NSW
    The return of the Highland Gathering to Sydney. These were first held in 1876.
    www.facebook.com/events/2116796275226648/
    April 6, 1320
    The Declaration of Arbroath, Arbroath, Scotland
    (and International Tartan Day in the northern hemisphere)
    The Declaration of Arbroath is a declaration of Scottish independence made in 1320. It is in the form of a letter in Latin submitted to Pope John XXII, dated 6 April 1320, intended to confirm Scotland's status as an independent, sovereign state and defending Scotland's right to use military action when unjustly attacked.

    "For as long as but a hundred of us remain alive, never will we on any conditions be brought under English rule. It is not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom — for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself" (from the Declaration of Arbroath, 1320).

    John Prebble says, "Two things make the Declaration of Arbroath the most important document in Scottish history.
    Firstly it set the will and the wishes of the people above the King.
    Secondly, the manifesto affirmed the nation's independence in a way no battle could, and justified it with a truth that is beyond nation and race."
    J. Prebble, The Lion in the North: One Thousand Years of Scotland's History, Penguin Books, 1973.
    www.constitution.org/scot/arbroath.htm
    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Declaration_of_Arbroath
    April 5 1820
    Battle of Bonnymuir and the Scottish Radicals, Scotland
    A journey toward Democracy.
    Commemoration of the Radicals War. Scotland, seeking equality of rights, especially the establishment of an independent Scottish Parliament. Ultimatley, this led to the hanign of three of the leaders and transportation of 19 Radicals to Australia, disembarking on 23 May 1821.
    Sat April 6
    Bundanoon Highland Gathering
    Bundanoon, NSW
    One of Australia's iconic Scottish gatherings with a full day of entertainment and activities including pipe bands, Scottish dancing, Clan village, stalls and much more-a great Scottish day out.
    brigadoon.org.au
    Mon April 15
    SAHC Committee meeting - All members welcome
    6:00pm - 8:00pm
    Castlereagh Hotel, 169 Castlereagh St, Sydney (2nd floor)
    Contact: Susan Cooke, info {at} scottishaustralianheritagecouncil.com.au
    April 16, 1746
    Battle of Culloden, Culloden Moor, Scotland
    Towards one o'clock, the Jacobite artillery opened fire on government soldiers. The government responded with their own cannon, and the Battle of Culloden began. Bombarded by cannon shot and mortar bombs, the Jacobite clans held back, waiting for the order to attack. At last they moved forwards, through hail, smoke, murderous gunfire and grapeshot. Around eighty paces from their enemy they started to fire their muskets and charged. Some fought ferociously. Others never reached their goal. The government troops had finally worked out bayonet tactics to challenge the dreaded Highland charge and broadsword. The Jacobites lost momentum, wavered, then fled. Hardly an hour had passed between the first shots and the final flight of the Prince's army. Although a short battle by European standards, it was an exceptionally bloody one.
    www.nts.org.uk/culloden
    Sat April 20
    Maclean Highland Gathering
    Maclean Showground, 12 Cameron Street, Maclean, NSW
    www.macleanhighlandgathering.com.au
    Thur April 25
    Anzac Day - The Scottish Act of Remembrance
    National
    Contact Nea MacCulloch for Sydney information
    treasurer {at} scottishaustralianheritagecouncil.com.au
    MAY
    International Whisky Month
    International
    www.visitscotland.com/see-do/food-drink/whisky/whisky-month
    Thur 2 - Sun 5 May
    Australian Celtic Festival 2019 - Year of Scotland
    Glen Innes, NSW
    - Australian Celtic Awards dinner, Glen Innes and District Services Club (Saturday)
    - SAHC Clan Commissioners' Dinner (Saturday)
    - Scottish ceremony: Clan Roll Call, Clan Recognition Ceremony (Sunday)
    - Kirkin' o' the Tartan, Australian Standing Stones (Sunday)
    www.australiancelticfestival.com
    Sat May 18
    World Whisky Day (World Whisky Month is May each year)
    International
    www.worldwhiskyday.com
    Sat May 25
    Berry Celtic Festival
    Berry Showground, Berry, NSW
    www.berryrotary.org.au/#!celtic-festival/c1syc
    Sat June 1
    Bonnie Wingham Scottish Festival
    Wingham, NSW
    bonnie-wingham-scottish-festival.manninghistorical.org
    Sun June 2
    SAHC Committee meeting (Wingham) - All members welcome
    10:00am - 12noon
    Wingham Museum, Wingham, NSW
    Contact: Susan Cooke, info {at} scottishaustralianheritagecouncil.com.au
    Mon June 10
    International Heraldry Day - 10 June annually
    International
    International Heraldry Day was established in 2013 to celebrate heraldry in all its forms and regardless of jurisdiction, geography, customs and favourite period.
    www.courtofthelordlyon.scot/index.htm
    www.facebook.com/celebrateheraldry
    www.internationalheraldry.com

    ----------------

    -----------------------------------
    Mon 3 - Thu 13 June
    Australian Heraldry talks by Dr Joseph Morrow, Lord Lyon King of Arms, Scotland
    Brisbane: 3 & 4 June
    Adelaide: 5 & 6 June
    Melbourne: 8 June
    Canberra: 9 June
    Sydney: 11, 12 & 13 June

    See the home page of the SAHC's website for details and to book
    Contact: secretary {at} heraldryaustralia.org or text message to 0431 701 055
    Fri 14 - Tue 18 June
    Scottish Week 2019
    Sydney, NSW
    Honoured Guest: Dr Joseph Morrow, Lord Lyon King of Arms, Scotland
    in conjunction with The Australian Heraldry Society.

    See the home page of the SAHC's website for details and to book
    Contact: info {at} scottishaustralianheritagecouncil.com.au

    ----------------

    -----------------------------------
    Sun June 16
    Townsville Tartan Day
    Townsville, Queensland
    www.facebook.com/Townsvillescots
    June 18, 1815
    Battle of Waterloo, Waterloo, Belgium (then Netherlands)
    On 18 June 1815, a French army under the command of Napoleon was defeated by the armies of the Seventh Coalition, comprising an Anglo-allied army under the command of the Duke of Wellington combined with a Prussian army under the command of Gebhard von Blücher. The Scottish regiments were involved:
    * the 9th Brigade commanded by Major-General Sir Denis Pack included the Royal Scots, the 42nd Black Watch, the 92nd Gordons and the 44th Foot totalling something over 2,000 men
    * the Union Brigade commanded by Major-General Sir William Ponsonby included the Scots Greys.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Waterloo/
    June, 23 - 24, 1314
    Battle of Bannockburn, near Stirling, Scotland
    On 23 and 24 June 1314, Robert the Bruce faced King Edward II at Bannockburn, near Stirling. The Scots army was outnumbered almost three to one. It was was a significant Scottish victory, one of the most decisive battles of the First War of Scottish Independence, and remains one of the iconic cornerstones in the history of Scotland.
    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Bannockburn
    Mon July 1
    International Tartan Day, Australia & New Zealand
    On 1 July (or by some community organisations on the nearest Sunday), Australians and New Zealanders celebrate the anniversary of the Repeal Proclamation of 1782 annulling the Act of Proscription of 1747, which had made wearing tartan an offense punishable with up to seven years' transportation.
    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tartan_Day
    Wed 3 - Sun 7 July
    Robert Burns Scottish Festival
    Camperdown, Vic
    www.camperdownburnsfestival.com.au
    Sat July 6
    Aberdeen Highland Games
    Aberdeen, NSW
    www.aberdeenhighlandgames.com
    Sat July 20
    International Tartan Day (Australian Scottish Community Qld)
    King George Square, Brisbane City, Qld
    www.aussie-scots.org.au
    July 21, 1796
    221st (2017) Anniversary of Robert Burns death, Dumfries, Scotland - Robert Burns International Toast
    Robert Burns was born into a farming family at Alloway in Ayrshire in 1759. He died in Dumfries at the early age of 37 on 21 July 1796. Yet in that short time he had taken the Scottish literary world by storm, and had secured a place for himself in history and in legend.

    So, raise a glass of your favourite dram and participate in the Robert Burns International Toast on 21 July. Facing Alloway, Scotland, make the first toast to Robert Burns birthplace, then to Dumfries, Scotland, to toast his life.
    digital.nls.uk/robert-burns
    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Burns
    July 27, 1689
    Battle of Killiekrankie, Killiecrankie, Scotland
    The Battle of Killiecrankie was fought between Highland Scottish clans supporting King James VII of Scotland (also known as James II of England) and troops supporting King William of Orange on 27 July 1689, during the first Jacobite uprising. Although it was a stunning victory for the Jacobites, it had little overall effect on the outcome of the war and left their leader dead.
    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Killiecrankie
    Sat July 27
    National Scotch Day, USA and elsewhere too
    On July 27, enjoy a dram of fine Scotch whisky as it is National Scotch Day. Scotch is one of the best known whisky types which is produced, labeled, and packaged in a manner specified by strict regulations. Scotch whisky has been produced since the late 15th century. All Scotch was originally made from malted barley. Modern Scotch is made from malt and grain which can be combined in different ways to create blends. There are five distinct types of Scotch: single malt Scotch, single grain Scotch, blended malt Scotch, blended grain Scotch, and blended Scotch. According to regulations, any drink bearing the label “Scotch” mist be distilled in Scotland and aged in oak barrels for at least three years. It must not contain added substances, other than water and plain caramel coloring, and must comprise a minimum 40% ABV (alcohol by volume). There is a number of other, more specific criteria, but these are the main ones.
    anydayguide.com/calendar/1157

    Note also:
    - International Whisky Day on 27 March
    - World Whisky Day on 19 May.
    Thu August 22
    SAHC Committee meeting - All members welcome
    6:00pm - 8:00pm
    Castlereagh Hotel, 169 Castlereagh St, Sydney (2nd floor)
    Contact: Susan Cooke, info {at} scottishaustralianheritagecouncil.com.au
    September 9, 1513
    Battle of Flodden, Northumberland, England
    On 9 September 1513, the battle was fought in Northumberland, England, between a Scots army under King James IV and an English army. It was an English victory. In terms of troop numbers, it was the largest battle fought between the two Kingdoms. James IV was killed in the battle, becoming the last monarch from the British Isles to suffer such a death, along with 12,000 Scots at the least, including 'the best gentlemen and "flower of Scotland."'
    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Flodden
    September 11, 1297
    Battle of Stirling Bridge, Stirling, Scotland
    On 11 September 1297, the forces of Andrew Moray and William Wallace defeated the English forces near Stirling on the River Forth.
    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Stirling_Bridge
    Sat September 21
    Clans on the Coast Celtic Festival
    Tomaree Sports Complex, 4981 Nelson Bay Rd, Nelson Bay, NSW
    www.clansonthecoast.com.au
    Sun October 6
    Armadale Highland Gathering and Perth Kilt Run
    Minnawarra Park, Armadale, WA
    perthkiltrun.com.au
    www.armadale.wa.gov.au/events/highland-gathering-and-perth-kilt-run
    Sat October 12
    Collie Clan Gathering
    Collie, WA
    www.collieclangathering.org
    Sat October 12
    Canberra Highland Gathering
    Kett Street, Kambah, Canberra, ACT
    Contact:
    canberragathering.com.au
    Sun October 13
    SAHC Committee meeting (Canberra)- All members welcome
    10:00am - 12noon
    Poppy's Cafe, War Memorial, Treloar Crescent, Campbell, ACT
    Contact: Susan Cooke, info {at} scottishaustralianheritagecouncil.com.au
    Thu 17-Sat 19 October
    Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Australia (4 shows)
    ANZ Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park, Sydney, NSW
    Clans and Families are parading - contact your clansociety now for last minute arrnagements.
    Contact: Malcolm Buchanan, remt {at} scottishaustralianheritagecouncil.com.au www.edinburghtattoosydney.com.au
    Sun November 3
    Central Coast Scottish Spectacular
    The Entertainment Grounds, Gosford, NSW
    www.scottishspectacular.com
    November 13, 1715
    Battle of Sheriffmuir, Sheriffmuir, Scotland
    The Battle of Sheriffmuir in 1715 occurred at the height of the Jacobite rebellion led by John Erskine, 6th Earl of Mar. The battle was inconclusive, with both sides claiming victory. However, in strategic terms John Campbell, 2nd Duke of Argyll, had halted the Jacobite advance.
    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Sheriffmuir
    Sat November 23
    St Andrew’s Night - Port Adelaide Caledonian Society
    189 Semaphore Road, Exeter, South Australia
    www.facebook.com/portadelaidescots
    Sun November 24
    St Andrews Day - Kirkin' o' the Tartan services in Canberra and Sydney - All welcome
    Kirkin' o' the Tartan (Canberra, Sydney & Toukley NSW):

    *   9:30am - St Andrew's Presbyterian Church, State Circle, Forrest, ACT
    *   9:30am - St David's Presbyterian Church, Victoria Ave, Toukley
    * 10:00am - St Stephen's Uniting Church, Macquarie St, Sydney.

    Clan Banner bearers, please arrive in time to marshal.
    Contact: Susan Cooke, info {at} scottishaustralianheritagecouncil.com.au
    Fri November 29
    St Andrews dinner
    University House, Australian National University
    1 Balmain Cres, Acton, ACT
    Commemorate St Andrew, the Patron Saint of Scotland.
    www.scotland.org/celebrate-scotland/st-andrews-day
    Sat November 30
    St Andrews Day celebrations
    National
    St Andrew's Day, 30 November, is the feast day of St Andrew, the Patron Saint of Scotland.
    www.scotland.org/celebrate-scotland/st-andrews-day
    Sun December 1
    St Andrews Day Ball
    St Andrews Society of WA
    Perth, WA
    saintandrew.org.au
    Thu December 12
    SAHC Christmas lunch folllowed by a Committee meeting and - All members welcome
    12:00pm - 14:00pm
    Granville Diggers Club (Star Buffet)
    5 Memorial Dr, Granville, NSW
    Contact: Susan Cooke, info {at} scottishaustralianheritagecouncil.com.au
    Wed December 25
    Merry Christmas = Nollaig Chridheil
    Tue December 31
    Hogmanay celebrations
    Happy New Year = Bliadhna mhath ùr
    Hogmanay is the last day of the year and is synonymous with the celebration of the New Year (Gregorian calendar) in the Scottish manner. However, it is normally only the start of a celebration that lasts through the night until the morning of New Year's Day (1 January). There are many customs, both national and local, associated with Hogmanay. The most widespread national custom is the practice of first-footing, which starts immediately after midnight.
    www.scotland.org/celebrate-scotland/hogmanay