Coast’s own Scot joins Wiggles clan

The  Central Coast’s own Scottish aficionado Douglas McFarland has been getting his Wiggle on.

Douglas McFarland in Gosford following his tour with The Wiggles. Picture: Mark Scott

The  Central Coast’s own Scottish aficionado Douglas McFarland has been getting his Wiggle on, joining the popular children’s group on a huge tour.

When the world’s most popular children’s group decided to take an awareness of highland dancing and the bagpipes to their worldwide audience, who else would they have turned to but Mr McFarland?

The Pipe Major of the Gosford Pipe Band and chairman of the Central Coast Highland Dancing Association has just returned after accompanying the skivvied ones on The Big Show Dance tour.

“The Wiggles introduced highland dancing to their program after a chance conversation with one of the legends of the sport, Kim Roe, who is a regular visitor to the Coast,” Mr McFarland said.

“Kim encouraged the use of traditional dancing and with Anthony (Field) playing the bagpipes, it just made sense.

“What has been amazing to see is the dedication to keep the traditions correct; no stone has been left unturned to make sure the Wiggly Dancers perform highland dancing to its traditional foundations.

Douglan McFarland (front right) and another dancer on stage with purple Wiggle Lachlan GIllespie.

“It has been a wonderful experience so far, the entire team is incredibly professional, and the quality of work is remarkable. As musicians they are sublime, as entertainers they are fabulous and they are all-round good people. Going to work is a delight.”

He was first approached by The Wiggles to teach the Highland fling to their dancers featured in their TV show.

“It just went from there,” he said. “They asked me to do some filming for a DVD and other projects to be released over the next 12 months and I ended up going on tour with them, dancing as well as teaching.”

Blue Wiggle Anthony Field said Mr McFarland had brought experience and expertise to the show.

“His enthusiasm for Scottish music is so infectious; he has all the cast dancing with passion,” Field said.

“I think the Scottish dancing Wiggles, the MCWiggles I guess we could be called now thanks to Dougie, are here to stay.”

Mr McFarland said it had been a “real privilege” performing with the children’s group to more than 100,000 children and parents on the tour and will remain involved with The Wiggles on a variety of projects throughout the year.