Daylesford Highland Gathering 2024 returns with iconic events

A huge crowd flocked to Daylesford for the annual Highland Gathering, celebrating Victoria’s Scottish community. Check back here to see if you feature in our gallery.

The Geelong RSL pipe band. Picture: Athos Sirianos

Daylesford has come alive with bagpipes, kilts, whiskey and Haggis as part of one of Victoria’s biggest and longest running Scottish festivals.

Thousands packed out Victoria Park in Daylesford on Saturday for the annual Daylesford Highland Gathering — which dates back to 1952 — which had a stacked card of events, parades and competitions.This year’s edition will also feature the Heavy Games competition which includes events like Stone Put, Caber Toss and Weight Over Bar.

Highland dancers wait for their turn during the Daylesford Highland Gathering.

More than 20 bands also in the Highland Gathering Pipe Band contest.

The event started bright and early with an incredible march down Vincent St towards Victoria Park.

See if you feature in our coverage of the event.

Adelaide Pipe Band members: Josh Troupe, Peter Glover, Atticus Zweck, William Mullighan and Simon Gibson. Picture: Athos Sirianos

Ian Bell from Old Scotch pipes and drums. Picture: Athos Sirianos

David Finlayson and his grandson Angus at their first competition together. Picture: Athos Sirianos

David and Trudi Mackenzie from Highland Hand Crafts. Picture: Athos Sirianos

Craig Brown and Jardy Keating

Guy and Lois McLeod. Picture: Athos Sirianos

Arthur Johnson and Linda Koroneos. Picture: Athos Sirianos

Sonia Wilkie and her mother Cathy Wilkie who drove down from Mildura to watch her perform. Picture: Athos Sirianos

Russ Gittens and Fran Mackay with their dog Molly. Picture: Athos Sirianos

Robbie Braithwaite and Emma Bargery from the Victorian Highland Heavy events. Picture: Athos Sirianos

Rob and Lou Brown from Warragul RSL Pipes and Drums. Picture: Athos Sirianos

The Geelong RSL pipe band. Picture: Athos Sirianos

Damien Roy and Don Maclean. Picture: Athos Sirianos

Craig from The Whiskey Company pouring some of his finest single malt whiskeys to a customer. Picture: Athos Sirianos

Nicquole Creasy and Cameron McDonald. Picture: Athos Sirianos

Louise Watson and Paul Henderson. Picture: Athos Sirianos

Members of the Hawthorn and Old Scotch pipe bands at the Highlands Festival in Daylesford. Picture: Athos Sirianos

The PLC Pipeband performing at the 2024 Daylesford Highland Festival. Picture: Athos Sirianos

James Randall and Ian Thorn. Picture: Athos Sirianos

Janelle Clark, David McGregor and Deb Clark from Clan McGregor in Mulgrave. Picture: Athos Sirianos

Nick McLeod, Tim Caldernan and Leah Thomas from Victorian Scottish Pipes and Drums. Picture: Athos Sirianos

Chris Minnie and James Ruffle. Picture: Athos Sirianos

Members of the Castlemaine Pipe Band: Ken Holden, Sam Raudino, Leslie Robottom and Eve Douglas. Picture: Athos Sirianos

Michael, Dylan, Hamish and Tim. Picture: Athos Sirianos

Scott and Cadell from the Old Scotch Pipe Band. Picture: Athos Sirianos

Nick McLeod, Tim Caldernan and Leah Thomas from Victorian Scottish Pipes and Drums. Picture: Athos Sirianos

George Train and John Jordan from the Geelong RSL. Picture: Athos Sirianos

Michael, Dylan, Hamish and Tim. Picture: Athos Sirianos

Caroline Troup, Angus Murphy and Sarah Bedwell from the Victorian Scottish Pipes and Drum group. Picture: Athos Sirianos

International judge Paul Turner and Brett Staley. Picture: Athos Sirianos

Don and Clare Wood. Picture: Athos Sirianos

Emma Bargery in action at the Highland Games. Picture: Athos Sirianos

Kylie Champion and Jimmy Smith. Picture: Athos Sirianos