Scottish Week Sydney, always held closest to the first of July and International Tartan Day, was in 2024, from 28th June to 2nd of July. Chief, John MacNeacail of MacNeacail and Scorrybreac, along with his wife Jenni, were the honoured guest for the Week, joining Scottish Australian Heritage Council (SAHC) Patrons, the Earl of Loudoun and Earl of Dunmore. Proceedings all kicked off with a Burns Supper at the Castlereagh Hotel, with an Address to the Haggis, Highland Dancing by the talented NSW Highland Dancing Team, the Burns song A Red, Red Rose performance, an address by Earl of Dunmore and special SAHC Life Membership Awards. Concluded by the ever-popular Auld Lang Syne. Saturday saw a visit to the National Maritime Museum and a Lunch nearby, a talk in the evening by The Chief, on Clan MacNicol History.
Sunday was the Kirkin’ of the Tartan at Hunter Baillie Church with a delicious morning tea, a zoom presentation in the evening saw a talk on cartoons from the 1800’s of a Scottish nature. Monday was a wonderful tour of the historic St James Church in the city, followed by the elegant NSW Parliamentary Lunch. Monday evening was a book launch of Scottish letters home from new arrivals in early Australia. The week concluded with a parade and the Inspection of the Scottish/Australian Cairn at Mosman, assembled from rocks sent over by schoolchildren from every Parish in Scotland, a gift for the 1988 Bicentenary. A very busy but enjoyable weekend and beyond of activities.
Text by: Mal Nicolson