Three lucky readers can win a set of four tickets each to attend this year’s annual Fort Nottingham Highland Gathering on Saturday, August 24 in Fort Nottingham. Simply SMS TIOSHighland followed by your name and surname to 33258 before noon on August 19. SMSes charged at R1.50. Ts and Cs apply. Winners to be notified Tuesday, August 20.
Illa Thompson
This year’s annual Fort Nottingham Highland Gathering takes place in and around Fort Nottingham next Saturday 24 August 24, and looks set to be a bumper event – with a full field of athletes and a great line-up of Scottish performers.
The prime focus of the day is typical Highland athletics events in which teams of men and women compete against each other in unusual sporting codes. There are eight men’s teams and a record of five women teams competing this year.
Complementing the athletics will be the rousing Pipe and Drum Bands of the Durban and Pietermaritzburg Caledonian Societies, and members of the Transvaal Scottish, who will stir the emotions with their field display and glorious music. Each band will do a stage show and a field marching display, and they will perform as a massed band for the opening ceremony.
Added attractions include a Fire Engine display, a vintage car and motor bike drive past and display, led by a horse and carriage. Knight Security will bring their guard dogs for a demo, sword fighting and fencing, and the there’s always the impressive Haggis ceremony.
There will be a village stocks – for you to incarcerate rude kids and quarrelsome aunties.
For the kids there will be activities, demos and child-friendly sword-fighting sessions (with pool noodles rather than swords).
There will be Scottish and folk dancing, talks and an extensive village market – with stalls of handmade goods and craft items, many with a Scottish theme. The organisers have cast the net wide to ensure locally-sourced market wares and Midlands based merchandise. If you are looking to buy a handmade bespoke kilt, this is the weekend to do so. There is still time to book a stall if you have quality items you would like to sell.
There is a beer garden with craft beers and artisanal spirits on sale – and quite possibly there will be whisky tastings during the day, and a huge variety of food stalls. The wearing of kilts is encouraged, but not compulsory.
There is still time to book a local B&B or a room in one of the nearby hotels and make a weekend of it and explore some of the other Midland’s attractions – fly fishing, meandering or enjoying a relaxing time away.
Good to Know
Tickets on sale through Quicket.
Adults: R120; OAPs and teenagers: R70; kids under 12 free.
R20 per car for parking (cash at gate, or in advance through Quicket)
Gates open at 8am
Bring picnic blankets, sun hats, warm clothing and sunscreen.
NO food, drink or glass to be bought onto the property.
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