Don your best tartan – It’s time for the Highland Gathering and Perth Kilt Run!

Great Scot! There is a big weekend coming up in Armadale! It’s time for the Highland Gathering and Perth Kilt Run! A fun, family friendly event in the Spring into Armadale calendar which is on at Minnawarra Park, Armadale, from 8.30am to 4.30pm on Sunday, September 10^th. It’s time to don your best tartan and get involved!

So you want to get involved with the Perth Kilt Run? It a run for everyone!

This event is for anyone of any age and ability, as long as you are wearing a kilt. You can choose to run or walk, it’s all at your pace. No pets, bicycles, scooters, hand cycles, skateboards or rollerblades are permitted. For safety reasons, we request those with strollers or a non-racing wheelchair to start from the back of the pack.

The Perth Kilt Run fees are determined by age group. 100% of all registration fees will be donated to charity.

• Adults (18 – 64 years old) – $10
• Seniors (65 years and over) – $8
• Youth (13 – 17 years old)- $5
• Children 12 years and under – Free

It’s a jammed pack day of activities, here’s the Perth Kilt Run event day schedule (and you still have until Saturday September 9^th lunchtime to register! You can do that here)

• 8.30am:   Participants check in on Minnawarra Park
• 9.30am:   Mayor Procession
• 9.50am:   Race warm up led by the Armadale Arena
• 10am:       Perth Kilt Run Race begins
• 11.30am:  Perth Kilt Run award presentations

Photo Credit: https://perthkiltrun.com.au  

So you pop on your best checks, be sure to register and get ready to run! Plus you’ll still have the rest of the afternoon to enjoy all of the other Highland Gathering events! And there’s heaps on!

Some of Perth’s best Pipe Bands will be competing throughout the day before joining together in the afternoon for what is sure to be an epic Massed Pipe Band procession to celebrate their proud Scottish heritage.

There’s a great line up of other musical performances throughout the day too, which there are more details about here.

And where there is music there is always going to be dancing so bring on the Highland Dancing Competitions! There’ll be dancers of different ages and experience, and it is sure to be entirely entertaining to watch these accomplished competitors as they dance towards their victory.

And with the music and dancing sorted, it’s time to bring on the heavy events!

The Heavy Events showcase the athletic skills of our tartan warriors as they compete in a traditional strongman competition. Visitors will bear witness to astounding strength and determination as competitors battle in the following events:

• Cumberland wrestling
• Throwing weight for distance
• Throwing weight for height
• Putting the stone
• Armadale stones
• Tossing the caber

If I had to give one a go I think it would be throwing weight for distance and I don’t think I’d be throwing it too far. Great to see the experts step up to give it a go though. And I’m sure they’ll all have their cheer squads along. Nothing like some friendly competitive. Will undoubtedly be a lively part of the Highland Gathering.

For each competition you can have a chance at winning 1st place ($100), 2nd place ($50) and 3rd place ($25), have your name engraved on the Heavy Events trophy’s. Details of how to register can be found here.

Photo Credit: https://perthkiltrun.com.au  

With the entertainment side well and truly sorted, be sure to save time to wander through the Clans Village and Market Stalls, and it could get a little rowdy, but it’s all part of the fun! You’ll be able to find your families Coats of Arms, Scottish novelty souvenirs, tartans, jewellery, pet treats and more!

Clans coming in 2017 include Clan Buchanan, Clan Donald Society of WA Inc, Clan Donnachaidh Society of WA Inc, Clan Keith, Clan MacKay Society WA, Clan Maclean Association WA, Clan Munro, Gaelic Society of WA and the Scottish Heritage Centre of WA Inc.

Market stalls coming 2017 include Fudge-A-Licious, Halcyon Steppe, Highland Celebrations, Pooches Couture, Scanoz Direct, Scottish Highland Kilts and Costumes, Slobberlicious, The House of Tartan, The Scottish Banner and Western Leathercraft.

And there’s a Medieval Fair in the mix too! Artisans, Blacksmiths, Knights and Ladies all await your visit into the Medieval Fair as you are transported back in time and into this hive of activity. A fine display of skill in the medieval arts and crafts, watch as the knights battle in the arena or visit the armory for your chance of some excitement.

And as a massive dog fan I love that as part of this event there is also a Meet & Greet for Scottish Dogs – getting all the Scots involved! Westie Walkers Perth, a social group for West Highland Terriers and Scottish Terriers will be there and are happy for you to come and enjoy their friendly little doggies. Plus people are welcome to bring their own Scottish doggies and be involved in the Meet n Greet too.

And they definitely don’t want you going hungry, so when you start to get peckish then head to the Food Court! For the bold, or should I say the traditional, you can get stuck into some haggis and square sausage, fudge tablet or black pudding! And along with all these Scottish delicacies, there are also tasty treats like sausage sizzle, churros, icecream and much more!

The line up for 2017 includes:

• Anton’s Bratwurst
• Aroogah Coffess
• Bollygood Foods
• Cafe Swift
• Churro Central
• Claddagh Cafe
• Lions Club of Armadale Kelmscott
• Sally’s Satay
• Spiral Spud Stick
• Temel’s Turkish Food Van
• The Frying Scotsman
• The Milky Monster
• The Spud Wagon
• Tina’s Soft Serve
• WA Spit Roast Catering

So whether you have Scottish heritage yourself, are an appreciator of the culture or want to learn a little more about it, well this event is set to be a great day out.

Note: This is a sponsored post for Visit Armadale and all photos, where noted, are credited to them