HUNDREDS of haggis-fuelled, kilted Scotsmen will descend on Bendigo for the first Scots Day Out.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Organisers hope Scottish people from clans across Australia will take part in the event, which includes haggis and whisky tasting, pipe bands, highland dancers and folk music.
Event director Chris Earl said he expected 2000 people to attend the February 9 event.
“It’s something new for Bendigo,” he said.
“It’s important for all the Scottish groups in our community.”
Mr Earl said such groups were an intrinsic part of the fabric of the Bendigo community, with pipe bands and dancers present at many local events.
He said hundreds of haggises sourced from Moama could be eaten on the day, noting that the Scottish delicacy tasted better with Scotch whisky.
“We are absolutely committed to the event,” he said. “It’s going to be great and something new on the tourist calendar.”
More than 500 Bendigo residents were born in Scotland, according to 2011 Census data, but Mr Earl said about 20 to 25 per cent of people had Scottish ancestry.
Sections of View Street will be closed for the free event, which will run from 11am to 5pm.
Mr Earl said people in Queensland and NSW already planned to attend.