General News
6 January, 2026
Highland dancers turn heads at gathering
Highland dancers returned to the Highland Gathering as their numbers slowly improve post pandemic.
Highland dancers returned to the stage last Thursday, drawing one of their biggest crowds in years as performers celebrated culture, camaraderie and inclusion.
Spending the day among a crowd of onlooking family members, locals and visitors, Victorian Scottish Union’s (VSU) Bernadette Rae was thrilled with the turnout at this year’s Highland Gathering, following what was a long trek for urban competitors.
“It was a very successful day, great crowd, great onlookers. The dancers had a fabulous time in terms of being able to perform over the course of the day,” she said.
“A majority of our dancers came from Geelong or the western part of Melbourne, there was another group that came from metropolitan Melbourne and out the other side, around Dandenong and Cranbourne.
“Maryborough Highland Gathering really does start the year off for us. It’s one way the highland community can compete. It brings us together in a way we wouldn’t otherwise be together.”
While highland dancer and attendee numbers have fluctuated in recent years, Ms Rae said the exhibit is gradually enticing new faces, regardless of if they are Scottish, or participated in other dancing before.
“I think it has been a challenge coming out of COVID to re-invigorate people, we did lose quite a significant number of members, but my own personal experience has been that numbers are growing,” she said.
“It’s becoming more about families. The child starts dancing, providing an opportunity for the adult to learn, I think that is really key to being able to continue the involvement of many people.”
One of the dancers, Liesl Filippi, said her family was one of them, performing individually throughout the day last week.
“My daughter Tara began classes about five or six years ago, and when my son Lior was old enough to join in, he gradually joined more and more, now he is doing classes as well. He’s not competing yet but he is doing exhibition dances. I thought I was missing out on the fun, so I started,” she said.
“It’s a great thing for us as a family. The whole dancing community is really encouraging and supportive, we just love being a part of it. We have had such a great day dancing here.”
Audience members may not have noticed, but as the family’s youngest took to the stage last week, his performance was accompanied by his teacher signing succeeding moves.
“Lior is moderately deaf, and sometime uses AUSLAN to support spoken language,” Ms Filippi said.
“We do our best to use AUSLAN as much as possible. We are certain that it has helped spoken language. In an environment like this, there is a lot more distraction and a lot of background noise. Just to have some extra assistance with his teacher up the front reminds him of where he is at with his steps makes that a little bit easier for him to participate.
“We have got a really supportive club that includes him as much as possible, and makes it possible for him to be involved.”
While the tradition of highland dancing dates back many centuries, Ms Rae said the continuation of the music and colourful outfits is made possible through the enjoyment of its enthusiasts.
“We have tried to become very inclusive, when you’re part of a competitive thing, there is a risk that you can make something elite, and leave behind those that may not have the ability that others have. To make something an all abilities event and activity keeps everyone involved,” she said.
“We always feel very looked after in Maryborough, it’s an area we really love coming to and dancing. It’s a great day for the Scottish community to get together and see what everybody else does.
“We are very grateful for the opportunity and anyone who wants to learn, we are happy for them to get in touch with the VSU.”