A CROWD of thousands is expected when the Scots All Saints College Highland Gathering is held this Sunday.
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The event, a highlight on the Scottish Highland Gathering calendar for NSW and Australia for the past 26 years, has a new name this year after the merger of All Saints' College and The Scots School.
It will again be held on the Scots Campus on O'Connell Road and will feature competitions, market stalls, rides, local produce, food and drink and entertainment for the whole family.
With more than 218 combined years of education in NSW, the newly merged college community is seeking to preserve the heritage and culture of both schools, including the popular, longstanding Highland Gathering event.
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Headmaster David Gates said each year the community event draws crowds of up to 5000 and the first Scots All Saints College Highland Gathering is expected to be even bigger and better.
"We are conveniently located for families travelling from Sydney, ACT, the Central Coast, regional NSW or Southern Highlands to come along to make a day trip or weekend getaway," Mr Gates said.
"Organised by the friends, parents and students of the college, Scots All Saints College Highland Gathering is one of the biggest social and fundraising events for families of the college, with all visitors warmly welcomed to enjoy a great family day out.
"The outstanding pipe band competition attracts top pipe bands from across NSW for a round of the Pipe Bands NSW State Championships.
"The strongman competition, run by Highland Muscle, will return and an equestrian event will also run this year on the Front Oval.
"The day provides an opportunity for our pipes and drums under the leadership of Gill MacKenzie and drum tutor Millaine Longmore to compete and interact with the other bands.
"The Highland Gathering also includes dancing presentations from local dance schools and our own highland dancers under the tutelage of Kim Durie and Mary Weber."
Other featured events will be the weight over the bar for men (25.4 kilograms) and women (11.8kg), heavy weight and light weight for distance, natural stone putt, caber toss, keg toss, stone lifting and highland dancing.
"We are aiming to bring a wee taste of Scotland to the Central West," Mr Gates said.
"We look forward to seeing you."
The event will be held from 10am to 4pm this Sunday, March 24.
