The ‘most Scottish town in Australia’ that hosts its own annual Highland games

Scottish culture and heritage has spread all across the world over the years.

No matter where you are around the globe, you are unlikely to ever be too far from someone or something that has a connection to . To prove this point, the Daily Record is journeying to Australia all the way on the other side of the planet.

Despite being around 24 hours away by plane, the Oceanic country has strong ties to Scotland as a result of the British settlers that colonised it back in the 18th and 19th centuries. As we’ve covered, many towns across Australia still have Scottish names to this day.

There is one destination in the country that goes much further with its connection to Scotland, however. In fact, according to ABC News, Maclean in the country’s state of New South Wales is “the most Scottish town in Australia”.

Named after Scotsman Alexander Grant McLean, who acted as the New South Wales Surveyor-General in the 1860s, Maclean is around three hours away from the city of Brisbane by car. The small rural town has a population of around just a few thousand, but is known for and wide for its yearly Highland Games.

The Maclean Highland Gathering has been held for more than 100 years, taking place over Easter weekend. Each year, athletes and musicians compete in a number of Scottish events such as caber tossing, shot put, and bagpiping.

Other highlights of the event include a pipe band parade down its main street and Highland dancing contests. Many locals even take the opportunity to don their finest kilts.

Aside from its yearly Highland Gathering, one of Maclean’s most noticeable ties to Scotland is its painted tartan power poles. Walking around town, you will be able to identify a number of different clan tartans on more than 200 poles — and there is even a map you can pick up from the town’s own Scottish shop.

The Maclean Scottish Shop sells a range of Scots memorabilia and souvenirs, as well as trinkets dedicated to the town itself. Its knowledgable staff also tell visitors about the town’s history with Scotland.

The town even has a ‘Maclean, The Scottish Town In Australia Association’, which dates back to the 1980s and consists of locals who work to promote Maclean’s Scottish heritage. It is thanks to the association that the town is recognised as Australia’s “most Scottish town”.

Sadly, Australia isn’t exactly the closest country to Scotland, and most of us will probably never get to see Maclean for ourselves. Still, if you ever find yourself down under, you know where to head for a day out.

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