Highland Spectacular returning to Kryal Castle

BACK for its third year, the Highland Spectacular is returning to Kryal Castle for a weekend of Celtic celebration and Scottish tradition over 30 to 31 August.

Event organiser Andrew McKinnon said it will bring the spirit of Scotland to life with Highland Games, burly lads and lasses displaying feats of strength, dancing, massed pipes and drums, jousts with knights representing England and Scotland, and clan tents.

“The Bonnie Prince Charlie Inn will be open serving ales, meads, whiskeys, and stalls will be selling Scottish regalia, haggis, potato scones, and other delicious Scottish fare,” Mr McKinnon said.

“There will be medieval favourites including archery and axe-throwing, plus, the Highland Feast will run on Saturday night only, featuring a matched whisky tasting and ceilidh – a social event with Scottish folk music, singing and traditional dancing.”

McKinnon said pipe bands will be attending from all over Victoria, including many from in and around Ballarat.

Many Highland dancers from the local area also preparing to attend.

“Fun fact, Ballarat has its own official tartan,” McKinnon said.

“It features grey for the basalt plains Ballarat is built on, blue and white for the Eureka Flag, and yellow for the gold that shaped Ballarat’s history. The tartan is officially endorsed by the mayor of Ballarat.”

The tartan was designed in 2014 for the Art Gallery of Ballarat’s For Auld Lang Syne: Images of Scottish Australia, from First Fleet to Federation exhibition.

The Highland Spectacular has averaged between 3000 and 4000 visitors when it has been held over the weekend in previous years and McKinnon said it attracts many who are descended from the Scots diaspora around Ballarat.

“For attendees that wish to explore their Scottish ancestry, Clan information tents provide information on family histories, and can also refer visitors to where they can find out more about their forebears,” he said.

“We have Simon Abney-Hastings the Earl of Loudoun (our Chief of the day) and Malcolm Murray the Earl of Dunmore attending, so that’s two real earls in the castle.

“Everyone has their favourite part of the event, but consistently the music, games, dancing and jousting are very popular. The feast is definitely another highlight.”

And, while a wee bit busy as event organiser and armiger for Clan MacKinnon, McKinnon is also getting set to do some jousting for Scotland with the heraldry granted to him by the Lord Lyon, King of Arms in Scotland.