THE 23RD PAEROA HIGHLAND GAMES & TATTOO

Once again it was a beautiful Summers day on Saturday the 13th of February for the 23rd Paeroa Highland Games and Tattoo at the Paeroa Domain. The domain has many mature trees, which gave plenty of shade to the large crowd of interested spectators.

The programme for the day included Solo Piping, Solo Drumming and Highland Dancing. An Axemen’s Carnival, and a full programme of Heavyweight Field Events.

During the afternoon there was the Pipe Band Contest with bands from the Auckland and Central Districts.

The Clans Village was kept very busy with many visitors and the Clans paraded for the usual Clans March to the town centre in the morning.

 
1

Clan Donald members outside the Pavilion. From the left, President Bruce McGechan, 
North Island Commissioner Tom McDonald, Barrie Paterson, Vice President
Carl Bradley, Lex Allan, Sergeant at Arms Murdock McDonald, Ruth and 
Bruce Parker from Hawke’s Bay, Cindy Bradley and Laurie Fear. 

 
Clan Donald Auckland was kept busy in the Pavilion with members calling in for a chat and refreshments plus several people interested in becoming members. One of the new members Lex (Nathan) Allan was appointed Banner Bearer for the Clans March.

 
2

New member Lex Allan, Banner Bearer for the Clans March.

 
James McPhee of Clan MacPhee presented Tom McDonald, the Clan Donald North Island Commissioner, with a special eagle feather for his Glengarry. It is customary for Commissioners to have one feather, High Commissioners and Chieftains two feathers and Clan Chiefs three feathers.

 

3

Clan Donald North Island Commissioner receiving the gift of an eagle feather 
from James McPhee of Clan MacPhee.

 

4

Murdock McDonald chatting with Laurie Fear.

 

Tom McDonald and Vice President Lynnette McDonald with Guard Barrie Paterson.

 

6

Marni Macdonald from Coromandel with a Dress Up Doll.

 

7

Tom McDonald chatting with Lex Allan with Lynnette McDonald in the background.

 

At 5.30 pm the Tattoo was started with the Pipe Bands Street March through the town to the domain.

During the entertainment there was a Mace Flourishing Competition, a Haggis Ceremony and massed highland dancers.

The Tattoo finished with the Lone Piper, the Ode to Scotland, Massed Bands playing Scotland the Brave and Auld Lang Syne.