Scottish heritage to come to life

BENDIGO’s local Scottish community and those interested in the country’s deep cultural history are expected to come out in droves for the first annual Scots on Show Festival at the Bendigo Showgrounds, organised by the 75-year-old Golden City Pipe Band.

The Festival on Saturday 9 November centres around several pipe band competitions but will also include highland dancing, Scottish clan tents, Scottish-themed stalls, about a dozen food trucks, plus a spectacular afternoon massed band performance.

Golden City Pipe Band pipe major and president Davyd Leech said the idea for the Festival was based on reviving the once popular pipe band competition circuit around Victoria.

“There were a number of competitions that were held around Victoria but they died off during the 2000s,” he explained.

“We had Scott’s Day out in Bendigo for a number of years, but then that finished just before COVID, so we decided to bring it back, but this time being in the showgrounds, Scott’s on Show became the ideal name for it.”

“It’s actually starting to get a bit of a resurgence after being hit hard by COVID and by kids getting into other things, and this year we’re looking at about six or seven bands.”

“There’s a lot of Scottish roots in Bendigo and I think it’s going to be a fun day. (People are) guaranteed to be entertained.”

The inaugural Scots on Show Festival takes place on Saturday 9 November from 10am to 4pm at the Bendigo Showgrounds. Entry is by gold coin donation.