Clans gather at Scots PGC | Warwick News | Local News in Warwick

Celebrating everything Scottish are (back, from left) Ben Tomkins, Bruce Schelbach, Kelly Nielsen, Sandy Dalziel, Petrina Davis, (front) Alexander Manfield and Jacob Chalk at Scots PGC on Saturday.

Warwick Daily News

HUNDREDS of clansmen and clanswomen from all over the world came together in Warwick for the first Gathering of the Clans in almost eight years at The Scots PGC College on Saturday.

The Scots PGC College band master Sandy Dalziel said the program was part of the seasonal piping celebrations in Scotland.

“It's a celebration of Celtic culture, but it's not just a celebration, it's to ensure the culture is continued and children and youngsters can identify with their past,” Mr Dalziel said.

“A lot of it is symbolic to how a gathering is set in Scotland.

“We had tents in the middle of the gathering so that people sat in the middle rather than the outside.

“I specifically asked for Scotland the Brave and Waltzing Matilda to be played at the parade of the clans symbolising the connection between Scotland and Australia.”

He said there was a strong focus on traditional Highland games, with solo piping and pipe band competitions, Highland dancing, drumming and sporting events.

“Pipes were a means of communicating for a gathering to eat and celebrate,” Mr Dalziel said.

Warwick Thistle Pipe Band piper Kelly Nielsen said she enjoyed playing pipe music.

“It's good to see pipe gathering in Warwick. We haven't had one in years,” Mrs Nielsen said.

“It's good to see the passion; it's still there after all these years.

“We are hoping this is not a one-off, that this continues.”

Warwick Thistle Pipe Band member Doug Cutmore said it was a perfect sunny day for the gathering.

“It was lovely to see so many people at the first gathering in years,” Mr Cutmore said.

Band member Roby Davis said she had not seen a gathering since her son Cahal Davis, 8, was born.