The emblem of Lions Clubs International Harpenden Lions Club title and motto. Harpenden Town Council Shield

Highland Gathering

Harpenden Highland Gathering

Pipe bands at the 2008 Gathering

Date
Time

Location

Sunday 12th July 2009
10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Rothamsted Park
Harpenden AL5 2HU

Attractions
Pipe bands

Pipes and drums

Highland dancing

Highland dancing

Highland Games

Highland games

42 Highlanders Re-enactment Society

42 Highland Regiment 1815 - Re-enactment Society

Falconry display

Falconry displays

Climbing wall

Climbing wall

Funfair

Funfair

Craft stall

Crafters' Village

Classic cars

Classic cars and motorbikes

Luton Youth Jazz Band

Luton Youth Jazz Orchestra

Refreshments

Food and licensed bars

Fun run

Fun run

Admission Programmes

£3.00 in advance by credit card online - see right hand column at top of page - or from the outlets listed below.

£6.00 at the gate.

Children under 16 are FREE when accompanied by an adult.

Programmes are available from :

WH Smith, Harpenden
Hairline, Southdown
News4U, Harpenden
Southdown Hardware, Southdown
Redbourn Post Office
Town Council Offices, Harpenden
St Albans Tourist Information Centre
Luton Tourist Information Centre
Cravin’ Snackbar at Harpenden Station

Programme of Events

Download PDF

Programme of Events
Map
Map

Rothamsted Park is in the centre of Harpenden and can be reached easily by road from Luton or St Albans or from M1 exits 9 or 10. It is within walking distance of Harpenden station on the Brighton to Bedford line.

There is plenty of free parking nearby, especially on the Common

How To Get There - Detailed Instructions


Disabled Visitors

Disabled parking and toilets are both available in the park. Remember to bring a disabled badge to gain access.

Beneficiaries

Sue Ryder Care, Stagenhoe
Grove House Hospice, St. Albans
Harpenden Lions Life Skills Programme for local schools

Contact

hg09@harpenden-lions.co.uk

Helpline: 0845 833 7426

More Pictures

Highland Gathering 2008 Picture Gallery.

Poster

Download poster (PDF)

Sponsors

Harpenden Lions Club thanks the following sponsors of the Harpenden Highland Gathering:

Review Group logo

Review Group

HSBC

HSBC

Harpenden Building Society

Harpenden Building Society

DOR-2-DOR logo

DOR-2-DOR

Postscript print and design logo

Postscript Print & Design

Photiades Solicitors

Photiades Solicitors

Taylor Walton Solicitors

Taylor Walton Solicitors

 

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Background and History


Dance competition

Dance Competitions

The Harpenden Highland Gathering - a 'fun day out with a Scottish flavour for the whole family' - is Harpenden Lions Club's most important fundraising event of the year which raises thousands of pounds annually for local charities. But how did it first get started and why?

St. Albans and Mid-Herts Caledonian Society organised the first of the local Highland Games which took place on June 22, 1946 at Beech Hyde Farm, Wheathampstead. It is believed that it was held as a fundraising event to assist Scottish engineers who had been working in aircraft factories including De Havilland in Hatfield during the Second World War.

Black Watch

Battle Reenactment

From 1950 onwards the games were held in Rothamsted Park, Harpenden, where they flourished until their demise in the late 50s.

The first of the modern games, organised by Harpenden Lions Club, took place on June 22, 1996 at Harpenden Rugby Club. The following year they relocated back to their traditional home in Rothamsted Park. It is now one of the largest Gatherings outside Scotland, raising tens of thousands for charity every year.

Solo Piper

Solo Piping Competition

What makes the Harpenden Highland Gathering such a special occasion? Spectacular pipe band displays, dance, traditional games and the sound of the bagpipes set the scene for the day, but there is much more. In recent years visitors have enjoyed thrilling gymnastic displays, falconry demonstrations, battlefield reenactments and this year, for the first time, the entertaining sight of experienced sheepdogs herding geese and ducklings! Every year there are plenty of events for children, including novelty track events, a climbing wall and a funfair. There is a wide selection of stalls offering refreshments, and many others selling craft and novelty items. Many charities set up stalls and displays to raise awareness of their work and attract donations.

To see photographs of the July 2008 Highland Gathering visit the Photo Gallery

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