Highland Gathering set to hit DLSHCC
On May 31, DLSHCC will host the Highland Gathering, seeing the best pipe bands and Highland dancers from across the country descend onto their fields.
Thousands of attendees will make their way to De La Salle Holy Cross College on May 31 for the annual, and hotly anticipated, Highland Gathering.
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This 47-year-old tradition first started as a small competition, with few participating bands. What may have started out as small, has since grown into one of the leading events on the pipe band and Highland dance calendars.
President of the Pipe Bands Association of South Africa Rory Billingham said events, like this gathering, further help to grow people’s appreciation for pipe bands. “It is something different. All the pomp and ceremony with the kilts and such like. So, having Scottish gatherings during the course of the year, at the various venues, does publicise it to the general public, and they do see the Celtic culture as being alive, and that pipe bands do still exist.”
Billingham has served on the association, on and off, for over 30 years in various capacities. He was president for about 15 years before taking a break, but then returning to be president again. What has kept his love for this culture strong through all of these years, is his love for the music, teaching, the concerts he gets to see, the people he gets to meet, and honestly, everything about it.
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Billingham says people tend to have the assumption that someone in a kilt can only be from Scotland. “They don’t always appreciate that we have quite a strong Celtic culture in South Africa.” Born and raised in South Africa, he describes himself as a child of Africa. “It’s just that somewhere along the line I got caught up in bagpipes and I just loved that whole tradition. But I am still a South African… African.” he said. He does recognise that there are definitely people of Scottish decent, as well as those with Celtic roots and connections, but, for the most part, the bulk of those within the pipe band community are locals, doing something different.
This president’s hopes are to keep the culture alive, that, and that they keep trying to create players of exceptional talents, so the musical presence in the country keeps rising, and people aspire to be more than just a player. He highlighted how the country has developed players, who now play in top bands in Scotland. “I think the most important thing is keeping it alive, getting youngsters involved, watching the growth, and pushing boundaries. Just making sure there is a tomorrow for people who believe in this,” said Billingham.
The De La Salle Holy Cross College Highland Gathering is a cherished tradition that features pipe bands and Highland dancing competitions, which draws in families and individuals from across South Africa. The school is described as being one of the few schools in Johannesburg with its own pipe band, a facet they are committed to preserving as a cultural tradition.
The event continues to grow, attracting over 4 000 attendees in recent years, and they anticipate even greater participation this year. With family-friendly entertainment, including a carnival, delicious food stalls, and a celebration of diverse traditions. The Highland Gathering promises to be an unforgettable day, from the popular beer garden and Celtic market, to the highly anticipated Massed Bands performance, there will be something for everyone.
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