Drum Major Angus Cornwall leads members of Townsville and Mackay bands at the street parade on Townsville Tartan Day 2024. Picture: facebook.com/Townsvillescots

For one dazzling weekend this June, the sounds of pipes, the swirl of tartan, and the thunder of heavy hammers will transform Townsville into the Highlands of the north.

DATES & DEETS

Townsville Tartan Weekend is one of Australia’s most vibrant celebrations of Scottish culture — and it’s growing stronger each year. Presented by the Townsville Scottish Community Inc., this free, family-friendly series of events is packed with music, heritage, kilts and cabers, and a warm Highland welcome for all.

The festivities begin on Friday evening with the much-loved Clansmen’s Ceilidh. This event is sold out.

Saturday’s festivities begin with Scots in the Park, a free family day at Corcoran Park, Hermit Park, from 10am to 4pm. Designed in the spirit of traditional Highland Games, the event will be officially opened at 11am by Glenys Ashton, President of the Clan Forsyth Society of Queensland Inc. — the Honoured Clan for 2025. Expect plenty of action, with Scottish Heavy Games taking centre stage and professional competitors travelling from Brisbane to compete alongside locals. Pipe bands and solo pipers and drummers will entertain between events, while clan tents from Clans Buchanan, Edmonstone and Forsyth will share space with displays from the Scottish Country Dancing group and the Townsville Scottish Community. Afternoon tea will be available. 

On Sunday, the celebration continues in the city centre with Townsville Tartan Day at Flinders Square, from 8.30am to 1pm. The event marks the 11th year of celebrating the 1782 repeal of the English ban on wearing tartan. It kicks off at 9am with a dramatic massed band performance marching through Flinders Street, followed by the Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans ceremony, where participants are invited to bring their tartan for blessing. Entertainment continues throughout the morning with more music from Iain McKenzie and Brian Bisset, plus Scottish dancing displays and solo performances by pipers and drummers. The ever-popular Clan Parade will take place at 10.30am, and all Scottish-breed dogs are welcome to join in the march. The Family History Association of North Queensland will be on hand to offer genealogy advice and add clans to the growing ‘Clans in Townsville Tree’. Anyone wanting to walk with their clan in the parade must register by 18 June.

More information is available on the Townsville Scottish Community Inc. Facebook page, or by contacting Marie Gibson at 0413 456 542 or mlg7@optusnet.com.au.