ONE could have been forgiven for thinking they had been teleported to the highlands of Scotland on Saturday, April 29 as the sounds of the bagpipes and drums filled the air at Hutchison Park in Amanzimtoti.
Bands came from far and wide to be part of the 60th Highland Gathering, with some coming from the Western Cape and Gauteng. Vernon Smith, who came from Harding, said the long trip he and his family took was worth it.
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“I have not missed any Highland Gathering over the past 10 years, and I always have a good time with my family,” said Smith.
Attendants could also browse through market stalls and enjoy the beer tent. There were pony rides for children as well as jumping castles and slides.
For most of the day, the overcast weather provided a cool setting, even though there were some showers in the afternoon.
The event started as an original fundraiser for Umbogintwini Primary School in 1963 and has been facilitated by Amanzimtoti Lions Club since they adopted the event in 1976.
Amanzimtoti Lions’ André Beetge said the funds raised at the event helped local causes.
“Given that economic demands have far-reaching effects on sports clubs and schools, Lions again partnered up with the Amanzimtoti Sports Committee and its affiliates, who were responsible for parking management, the much-loved beer tents and associated entertainment, which provided them with an opportunity to share directly in the profits to the benefit of all participating sport codes. Likewise, local secondary schools, with learners participating as part of the social-responsibility programme, secured funding for school-specific requirements,” said Beetge.
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