A Scottish CALENDAR in Australia 2017Scroll down for the latest events |
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Sydney Society for Scottish History (SSSH) meetings The monthly meeting of the SSSH is on the third Thursday evening of each month starting at 7:00pm. For details see: www.facebook.com/Sydney-Society-for-Scottish-History-277766848952898 |
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Sun January 1
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Maryborough Highland Gathering Princes Park, Maryborough, Vic The Maryborough Highland Gathering has a proven long and proud history and is now over 155 years old; Australia’s oldest continuous running sporting event. highlandsociety.com.au/index.php/highland-gathering |
(Wed) January 25, 1759
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Robert Burns' 258th birthday (2017) International Annual celebration of Scotland's national poet Robert Burns (25 January 1759 - 21 July 1796) www.scotland.org/celebrate-scotland/burns-night |
Thu January 26
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Australia Day Celtic Festival 10:00am - 5:30pm, St Leonard's Park, Miller St, North Sydney The Celtic Nations celebrating Australia Day - Celtic Council of Australia www.celticcouncil.org.au |
Sat January 28
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SAHC's Lachlan Macquarie birthday dinner 6:30pm for 7:00pm The Womens Club, 4th Floor, 179 Elizabeth Street, Sydney Speaker: Mr Ian Innes, Director, Heritage & Collections, Sydney Living Museums. |
Sun January 29
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SAHC Committee meeting - All members welcome 10:30am - 1:30pm 9/61 Yeo Street, Neutral Bay, NSW Contact: Susan Cooke, info {at} scottishaustralianheritagecouncil.com.au |
Sat January 28
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Qirindi Military Tattoo 2:00pm - 9:00pm Longfield Oval, Quirindi, NSW Australia's newest Highland Gathering. quirindimilitarytattoo.com.au |
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(Tue) January 31, 1759
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Lachlan Macquarie's 255th birthday (2017) International Annual celebration of the "Father of Australia" (31 January 1762 - 1 July 1824) www.mq.edu.au/macquarie-archive/lema/biographies/lmbiog.html |
Sat February 11
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Scots Day Out Rosalind Park, 1 Williamson St, Bendigo, Victoria Scots Day Out is a free community event held on the second Saturday of February, organised by Golden City Pipe Band. www.scotsdayout.com |
Sun February 19
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National Multicultural Festival (Sat 17 to Sun 19 February) Canberra City centre, ACT A weekend of colour, culture, festivities, food & drink, fun. The Celtic Ceilidh and the Celtic Village tents will be there on Sunday 19 February from about 9:30am in Bunda St along from the Mort St corner. 11am to 4pm: The Celtic Ceilidh is at Stage 4 [corner of Alinga St and Mort St] with performances by: |
Sun February 19
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Richmond Highland Gathering Village Green, Richmond, Tasmania www.facebook.com/StAndrewSocietyHobartTasmaniaAustralia |
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Wed March 6
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SAHC Special General Meeting, Annual General Meeting, Committee Meeting - All financial members welcome 6:30pm - 8:30pm Sydney Mechanics' School of Arts, Level 1, 280 Pitt Street, Sydney Please participate in the Council's AGM by nominating for a position or sending in a proxy vote (forms are located at the Council tab above). Contact the Secretary: info {at} scottishaustralianheritagecouncil.com.au> |
Wed March 8 |
International Women's Day Celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievement of women - from Scotland to Australia and beyond. www.internationalwomensday.com |
Fri March 10
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International Bagpipe Day International International Bagpipe Day was initiated by The Bagpipe Society UK and first held on 10 March 2012 to celebrate the world's many bagpipes and piping traditions. www.bagpipesociety.org.uk/international-bagpipe-day |
Sun March 19
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Geelong Highland Gathering Goldsworthy Reserve, Goldsworthy Rd, Corio, Victoria www.geelonghighlandgathering.org.au |
Sun March 26
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Ringwood Highland Games East Ringwood football ground, Dandenong Rd, Ringwood, Vic The only Highland Gathering in the Melbourne metropolitan area. www.facebook.com/ringwoodvictoriaaustralia |
Mon March 27
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International Whisk(e)y Day International www.internationalwhiskyday.org |
Sat April 1
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Bundanoon Highland Gathering Bundanoon, NSW One of Australia's largest Scottish gathering with a full day of entertainment and activities including pipe bands, Scottish dancing, Clan village, stalls and much more-a great Scottish day out www.brigadoon.net.au |
(Thu) April 6, 1320
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The Declaration of Arbroath, Arbroath, Scotland (and International Tartan Day in the northern hemisphere) The Declaration of Arbroath is a declaration of Scottish independence made in 1320. It is in the form of a letter in Latin submitted to Pope John XXII, dated 6 April 1320, intended to confirm Scotland's status as an independent, sovereign state and defending Scotland's right to use military action when unjustly attacked. "For as long as but a hundred of us remain alive, never will we on any conditions be brought under English rule. It is not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom — for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself" (from the Declaration of Arbroath, 1320). John Prebble says, "Two things make the Declaration of Arbroath the most important document in Scottish history. Firstly it set the will and the wishes of the people above the King. Secondly, the manifesto affirmed the nation's independence in a way no battle could, and justified it with a truth that is beyond nation and race." J. Prebble, The Lion in the North: One Thousand Years of Scotland's History, Penguin Books, 1973. www.constitution.org/scot/arbroath.htm en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Declaration_of_Arbroath |
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Mon April 10
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SAHC Committee meeting - All members welcome 6:00pm - 8:30pm Castlereagh Hotel, 169 Castlereagh St, Sydney (2nd floor) Contact: Susan Cooke, info {at} scottishaustralianheritagecouncil.com.au |
Sat April 15
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Maclean Highland Gathering Maclean Showground, 12 Cameron Street, Maclean, NSW www.macleanhighlandgathering.com.au |
(Sun) April 16, 1746
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Battle of Culloden, Culloden Moor, Scotland Towards one o'clock, the Jacobite artillery opened fire on government soldiers. The government responded with their own cannon, and the Battle of Culloden began. Bombarded by cannon shot and mortar bombs, the Jacobite clans held back, waiting for the order to attack. At last they moved forwards, through hail, smoke, murderous gunfire and grapeshot. Around eighty paces from their enemy they started to fire their muskets and charged. Some fought ferociously. Others never reached their goal. The government troops had finally worked out bayonet tactics to challenge the dreaded Highland charge and broadsword. The Jacobites lost momentum, wavered, then fled. Hardly an hour had passed between the first shots and the final flight of the Prince's army. Although a short battle by European standards, it was an exceptionally bloody one. www.nts.org.uk/culloden |
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Fri 21 - Sun 23 March 
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Clan Davidson International Gathering Canberra, ACT Contact: Geoff Davidson, 0417 240 187 or niara {at} bigpond.com |
Tue April 25
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Anzac Day - The Scottish act of remembrance National Contact Nea MacCulloch for Sydney information treasurer {at} scottishaustralianheritagecouncil.com.au |
Sat April 29
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Epping Scottish Country Dance Epping Community Centre, Epping, NSW Enquiries: Anne, 9868 3778 or 0412 662 327, annelure@gmail.com www.rscds.org.au/_mgxroot/page_10800.html |
MAY
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International Whisky Month International www.visitscotland.com/see-do/food-drink/whisky/whisky-month |
Thur 4 - Sun 7 May
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Australian Celtic Festival 2017 - Year of Ireland Glen Innes, NSW - Australian Celtic Awards dinner, Glen Innes and District Services Club (Saturday) - SAHC Clan Commissioners' Dinner (Saturday) - Scottish ceremony: Clan Roll Call, Clan Recognition Ceremony (Sunday) - Kirkin' o' the Tartan, Australian Standing Stones (Sunday) www.australiancelticfestival.com |
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Mon May 8
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SAHC Committee meeting - All members welcome 6:00pm - 8:30pm Castlereagh Hotel, 169 Castlereagh St, Sydney (2nd floor) Contact: Susan Cooke, info {at} scottishaustralianheritagecouncil.com.au |
Fri 19 - Sun 21 May
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Robert Burns Scottish Festival Camperdown, Vic http://www.camperdownburnsfestival.com/ |
Sat May 20
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World Whisky Day (World Whisky Month is May each year) International www.worldwhiskyday.org www.visitscotland.com/see-do/food-drink/whisky/whisky-month |
Sat May 27
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Berry Celtic Festival Berry Showground, Berry, NSW www.berryrotary.org.au/#!celtic-festival/c1syc |
Sat 27 - Sun 28 May
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SDAA Championships and Competitions Caringbah High School Auditorium, 85 Willarong Road, Caringbah NSW www.sdaa.org.au |
Sat June 3
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Bonnie Wingham Scottish Festival Wingham, NSW www.manninghistorical.org |
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Sun June 4
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SAHC Committee meeting (Wingham) - All members welcome 10:00am - 12noon Wingham Museum, Wingham, NSW Contact: Susan Cooke, info {at} scottishaustralianheritagecouncil.com.au |
Sat June 10
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International Heraldry Day - 10 June annually International International Heraldry Day was established in 2013 to celebrate heraldry in all its forms and regardless of jurisdiction, geography, customs and favourite period. www.facebook.com/celebrateheraldry theaustralianheraldrysociety.wordpress.com/2015/06/03/june-10-is-international-heraldry-day |
Sun June 18
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Townsville Tartan Day Townsville, Queensland www.facebook.com/Townsvillescots |
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(Sun) June 18, 1815
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Battle of Waterloo, Waterloo, Belgium (then Netherlands) On 18 June 1815, a French army under the command of Napoleon was defeated by the armies of the Seventh Coalition, comprising an Anglo-allied army under the command of the Duke of Wellington combined with a Prussian army under the command of Gebhard von Blücher. The Scottish regiments were involved: * the 9th Brigade commanded by Major-General Sir Denis Pack included the Royal Scots, the 42nd Black Watch, the 92nd Gordons and the 44th Foot totalling something over 2,000 men * the Union Brigade commanded by Major-General Sir William Ponsonby included the Scots Greys. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Waterloo/ |
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Sat June 24 |
Scottish Ceilidh Ball and Debutante presentation Hosted by the Scottish Dancing Association of Australia 6:30pm, St Andrew's College, 19 Carillon Ave, Newtown, NSW www.sdaa.org.au |
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Thur June 22 - Tue 27 June
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Scottish Heritage Celebrations 2017, Sydney, NSW |
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(Fri) 23 - (Sat) 24 June 1314
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Battle of Bannockburn, near Stirling, Scotland On 23 and 24 June 1314, Robert the Bruce faced King Edward II at Bannockburn, near Stirling. The Scots army was outnumbered almost three to one. It was was a significant Scottish victory, one of the most decisive battles of the First War of Scottish Independence, and remains one of the iconic cornerstones in the history of Scotland. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Bannockburn |
Sun June 25
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Scotland in the Park Greenbank Reserve, Middle Road, Greenbank, Qld www.scottishclans.org.au |
Sat July 1
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Aberdeen Highland Games Aberdeen, NSW www.aberdeenhighlandgames.com |
Sat July 1
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International Tartan Day, Australia & New Zealand On 1 July (or by some community organisations on the nearest Sunday), Australians and New Zealanders celebrate the anniversary of the Repeal Proclamation of 1782 annulling the Act of Proscription of 1747, which had made wearing tartan an offense punishable with up to seven years' transportation. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tartan_Day |
Sat July 15
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International Tartan Day (Australian Scottish Community Qld) King George Square, Brisbane City, Qld www.aussie-scots.org.au |
(Fri) July 21, 1796
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221st (2017) Anniversary of Robert Burns death, Dumfries, Scotland - Robert Burns International Toast Robert Burns was born into a farming family at Alloway in Ayrshire in 1759. He died in Dumfries at the early age of 37 on 21 July 1796. Yet in that short time he had taken the Scottish literary world by storm, and had secured a place for himself in history and in legend. So, raise a glass of your favourite dram and participate in the Robert Burns International Toast on 21 July. Facing Alloway, Scotland, make the first toast to Robert Burns birthplace, then to Dumfries, Scotland, to toast his life. digital.nls.uk/robert-burns en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Burns |
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(Thur) July 27, 1689
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Battle of Killiekrankie, Killiecrankie, Scotland The Battle of Killiecrankie was fought between Highland Scottish clans supporting King James VII of Scotland (also known as James II of England) and troops supporting King William of Orange on 27 July 1689, during the first Jacobite uprising. Although it was a stunning victory for the Jacobites, it had little overall effect on the outcome of the war and left their leader dead. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Killiecrankie |
Thur July 27
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National Scotch Day, USA and elsewhere too On July 27, enjoy a dram of fine Scotch whisky as it is National Scotch Day. Scotch is one of the best known whisky types which is produced, labeled, and packaged in a manner specified by strict regulations. Scotch whisky has been produced since the late 15th century. All Scotch was originally made from malted barley. Modern Scotch is made from malt and grain which can be combined in different ways to create blends. There are five distinct types of Scotch: single malt Scotch, single grain Scotch, blended malt Scotch, blended grain Scotch, and blended Scotch. According to regulations, any drink bearing the label “Scotch” mist be distilled in Scotland and aged in oak barrels for at least three years. It must not contain added substances, other than water and plain caramel coloring, and must comprise a minimum 40% ABV (alcohol by volume). There is a number of other, more specific criteria, but these are the main ones. anydayguide.com/calendar/1157 Note also: - International Whisky Day on 27 March - World Whisky Day on 17 May. |
Fri 28 - Sun 30 July
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International Highland Dancing Championships Niagara Park, Gosford, NSW www.cchdi.org.au |
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Mon August 14
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SAHC Committee meeting - All members welcome 6:00pm - 8:30pm Castlereagh Hotel, 169 Castlereagh St, Sydney (2nd floor) Contact: Susan Cooke, info {at} scottishaustralianheritagecouncil.com.au |
Thur 17 – Sun 20 August
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Scots in the Bush festival Boondooma Homestead, Boondooma, Qld www.boondoomahomestead.org.au/events/scotsinthebush |
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(Sat) September 9, 1513
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Battle of Flodden, Northumberland, England On 9 September 1513, the battle was fought in Northumberland, England, between a Scots army under King James IV and an English army. It was an English victory. In terms of troop numbers, it was the largest battle fought between the two Kingdoms. James IV was killed in the battle, becoming the last monarch from the British Isles to suffer such a death, along with 12,000 Scots at the least, including 'the best gentlemen and "flower of Scotland."' en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Flodden |
Sun September 10
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Armadale Highland Gathering and Perth Kilt Run Armadale, WA www.armadale.wa.gov.au/events/highland-gathering-perth-kilt-run-0 |
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(Mon) September 11, 1297
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Battle of Stirling Bridge, Stirling, Scotland On 11 September 1297, the forces of Andrew Moray and William Wallace defeated the English forces near Stirling on the River Forth. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Stirling_Bridge |
Sat 16 – Sun 17 September
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Pipe Bands Australia National Conference Melbourne, Vic www.pipebandsaustralia.com.au |
Sat September 16
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Clans on the Coast Celtic Festival Nelson Bay, NSW www.clansonthecoast.com |
Sat October 7
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Canberra Highland Gathering Kett Street, Kambah, Canberra, ACT Contact: info {at} canberracollegepipesdrums.org canberragathering.com.au |
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Sun October 8
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SAHC Committee meeting (Canberra)- All members welcome 10:00am - 12noon Poppy's Cafe, War Memorial, Treloar Crescent, Campbell, ACT Contact: Susan Cooke, info {at} scottishaustralianheritagecouncil.com.au |
Sat October 14
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Collie Clan Gathering Collie, WA Inaugural Gathering of Clan Elliot in Australia and Clan Highland Gathering www.collieclangathering.org |
Sat November 5
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Central Coast Scottish Spectacular The Entertainment Grounds, Gosford, NSW www.scottishspectacular.com |
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(Mon) November 13, 1715
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Battle of Sheriffmuir, Sheriffmuir, Scotland The Battle of Sheriffmuir in 1715 occurred at the height of the Jacobite rebellion led by John Erskine, 6th Earl of Mar. The battle was inconclusive, with both sides claiming victory. However, in strategic terms John Campbell, 2nd Duke of Argyll, had halted the Jacobite advance. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Sheriffmuir |
Sat November 25
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St Andrew’s Night - Port Adelaide Caledonian Society 189 Semaphore Road, Exeter, South Australia Contact: chief {at} rcs.org.au www.scots-sa.org.au/PACS.htm |
Sun November 26
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St Andrews Day - Kirkin' o' the Tartan services in Canberra and Sydney - All welcome Kirkin' o' the Tartan (Canberra, Sydney & Toukley NSW): * 9:30am - St Andrew's Presbyterian Church, State Circle, Forrest, ACT * 9:30am - St David's Presbyterian Church, Victoria Ave, Toukley * 10:00am - St Stephen's Uniting Church, Macquarie St, Sydney. Clan Banner bearers, please arrive in time to marshal. Contact: Susan Cooke, info {at} scottishaustralianheritagecouncil.com.au www.scottishaustralianheritagecouncil.com.au |
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Thur November 30
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St Andrews Day celebrations National St Andrew's Day, 30 November, is the feast day of St Andrew, the Patron Saint of Scotland. www.scotland.org/celebrate-scotland/st-andrews-day |
Sun December 2
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St Andrews Day Ball St Andrews Society of WA Perth, WA saintandrew.org.au |
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Mon December 11
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SAHC Committee meeting - All members welcome 6:00pm - 8:30pm Castlereagh Hotel, 169 Castlereagh St, Sydney (2nd floor) Contact: Susan Cooke, info {at} scottishaustralianheritagecouncil.com.au |
Mon December 25
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Merry Christmas = Nollaig Chridheil |
Sun December 31
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Hogmanay celebrations Happy New Year = Bliadhna mhath ùr Hogmanay is the last day of the year and is synonymous with the celebration of the New Year (Gregorian calendar) in the Scottish manner. However, it is normally only the start of a celebration that lasts through the night until the morning of New Year's Day (1 January). There are many customs, both national and local, associated with Hogmanay. The most widespread national custom is the practice of first-footing, which starts immediately after midnight. www.scotland.org/celebrate-scotland/hogmanay |
