A number of members of Clan Cameron NSW were fortunate to witness the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo held at the Sydney stadium this October.

While not as intimate as that held in Edinburgh Castle it was certainly a spectacular event.

Some 1500 cast members were involved from across Europe and the Asia Pacific region as well as our local Australasian contingent. Over 14 nations were represented.

Set against a full-size replica of Edinburgh Castle, the iconic Scottish spectacular featured 33 musical, cultural and military groups, including:

• 15 files of traditional Pipers and Drummers,
• 11 Military Bands,
• 40 amazingly deft Precision Marchers,
• 40 Fiddlers,
• 7 Pacific Nations sharing their culture through performance,
• 40 Maori Kapa Haka performers,
• 100 Highland Dancers,
• 40 of the Australian Defence Forces’ finest musicians making up the House Band,
• 40 singers representing Gondwana Choirs,
• Australia’s Federation Guard featuring 100 celebrated serving personnel, and
• Australian Indigenous Song Men and dancers.
  

  Massed Pipes and Drums

  

  Highland Dancers

  

  Highland Dancers in action

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Chris Cameron, Val Smith and Commissioner James Cameron

Members of Clan Cameron NSW together with Commissioner James Cameron attended the Canberra Highland Gathering on Saturday 12 October.

The weather was overcast and cool with a fresh highland breeze enhancing the Scottish atmosphere. We were appreciative of being invited to share the Clan Lindsay tent with Susan Cooke, Commissioner of Clan Lindsay, and fellow Lindsay Clan members.

One highlight was that Val Smith attended, who was Clan Cameron NSW President for eight years prior to James Cameron, from 2001 to 2009.  It was terrific to catch up with Val who is very knowledgeable on Scottish and clan matters and is very engaging to talk to.  She was also the President of the Scottish Australian Heritage Council for a number of years, and was successful in bringing quite a number chiefs to Australia for Scottish week.

Speaking of which, there two Clan chiefs in attendance – Donald MacLaren and Geoffrey Buchanan, the newly appointed chief of that clan, the first for around 300 years.

The gathering was well attended and Clan Cameron NSW was enriched with the enrolment of a new member. Welcome!

The Tartan Warriors lifting the Stones is always an exciting and challenging event.

Wonderful Highland Dancing on display.

A successful Caber Toss was on show.

The pipe bands are the key to any Scottish gathering.

The 42nd Royal Highland Regiment (ex Black Watch) were on display, and survived the day.

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