St Andrew’s Day to be bonnie

Dunedin resident Albert Craw, then 8, tossing a gumboot during the Highland games junior activities on the Octagon upper lawn during last year’s St Andrew's Day Celebrations. PHOTOS: ODT FILES

The Octagon will be filled with the sights and sounds of Scotland this Sunday, as the Dunedin-Edinburgh Sister City Society celebrates St Andrew’s Day.

Society chairwoman Sarah Davis said the event, which would run from 10am-3pm in the Octagon, would include a broad range of Scottish-themed activities, such as pipe bands and other musical entertainment, Highland dancing, strongman events, a junior Highland Games, food trucks and raffles.

"For the full St Andrew’s Day experience, be in the Octagon promptly to enjoy the opening of the celebrations and wear some tartan to fly the flag for Scotland," Ms Davis said.

Sunday’s St Andrew’s Day celebrations will begin with a performance by the City of Dunedin Pipe Band, followed by Dunedin Harmony Chorus, a lone piper, Ghillie Callum Highland dancers as well as the Waitaki and Districts Pipe Band.

Then, at 11.30am, participants will be officially welcomed to the event by mayor Sophie Barker and Scottish Heritage Council president Royden Somerville.

A representative of the British High Commission will also attend the celebrations.

"We are looking forward to a day of family fun for all ages, rain or shine," Ms Davis said.

"And bring your dancing shoes for an exciting new event, a community ceilidh at 11.40am, which will be led by an expert caller and accompanied by the Dunedin Scottish Fiddle Orchestra.

"Another highlight of the event will be a dramatic, captivating haggis ceremony and we are excited to have Callum McConachy leading our stones of manhood strength event," she said.

The afternoon entertainment will feature the Pipes and Drums of Dunedin, the Grumpy Scotsman trio, Catgut and Steel as well as bagpipers.

Alongside the busy programme of performances, events and activities, the St Andrew’s Day celebrations will also offer the chance to sample a diverse range of food and drink from local businesses.

"We are very fortunate to have such strong support from our business community and the wider community — it makes it all worth while."

Members of the Otago Scottish Heritage Council will also have stalls in the main Octagon carriageway, promoting their groups and events.

Established in July 1974, and revitalised by then-mayor Sukhi Turner in 2004, the Dunedin-Edinburgh Sister City Society maintains Dunedin’s strong links with Edinburgh and promotes the Scottish feel of the city through events such as the St Andrew’s Day celebration.

Usually held on November 30, this year’s St Andrew’s Day celebrations have been moved forward by a week to this Sunday, November 23, to avoid clashing with the Dunedin Santa Parade.

"We have responded to community feedback that they were keen for the celebrations to have more musical entertainment, so we have a great variety of performances on offer," Ms Davis said.