With a skirl of pipes, the Melbourne Tartan Festival (MTF) will open with the annual Kirkin’ ‘O The Tartan service at The Scots’ Church, Melbourne on Sunday 30th June. This year will celebrate the 150th anniversary of opening of the current Scot’s Church building on the corner of Collins and Russell Streets, Melbourne. The Parade of Clans will be piped into the church, with each Clan being announced and welcomed in both Scottish Gaelic and English.
The Melbourne Tartan Day Parade on Collins Street on Sunday 7th July is another festival highlight event. More than 200+ pipers, drummers and dancers will be joined by Clan representatives as the official party leads them down Collins Street. Preceding the parade will be displays of dancing and piping on the terrace of the Old Treasury Building from 11.30am with pop-up events around the City, including the Block Arcade.
A CBD Scottish Connection guided walk with cultural historian, curator and tour leader Kenneth Park will commence at 10.00am–bookings essential. Tickets for the annual MTF Ceilidh dance with Melbourne Scottish Fiddlers at Collingwood Town Hall on the 12th July will see 200 dancers take to the floor, for what one enthusiast described as “a better workout than a session at the gym”!
During the month-long festival there will be concerts and recitals featuring Fiona Ross, Graeme McColgan ‘The Scotsman’, The Twa Bards and Claire Patti & Pria Schwall- Kearney, each showcasing different genres of Scottish music. The program includes the Victorian Pipers Association Solo Piping Championships, online and in person lectures, whisky tasting, genealogy, Burns Suppers, poetry in the park and pub and much more throughout the month of July.
The Main Hall of Melbourne Town Hall will be the setting for a grand and ceremonial welcome befitting the Office of the Lord Lyon at the Gala Dinner and Concert on Saturday 20th July, in what will be the premier event of the Melbourne Tartan Festival.
Dr Joseph Morrow CVO CBE KStJ KC LLD DL FRSE, the Right Honourable the Lord Lyon King of Arms has accepted an invitation to be our Guest of Honour . Guests will be piped in on arrival to enjoy drinks and canapés in the Town Hall foyer before entering the glittering Main Hall for a sumptuous gourmet meal accompanied by an assortment of fine wines, and traditional and contemporary concert style entertainment. This will be a night to remember as we welcome the Lord Lyon King of Arms to Australia.
Visit the Melbourne Tartan Festival website for the full program, with more events being added weekly at: www.melbournetartanfestival.com.au and follow the Facebook page.
Images courtesy of Adam Purcell, Melbourne Ceili Camera.