Dunedin rolls out Scottish St Andrew's Day celebrations

2 hours ago

Navigating News Categories Effortlessly

On Saturday, the lively sounds of bagpipes will fill Dunedin's Octagon as the city commemorates St. Andrew's Day, a festive occasion honoring Scottish heritage. Photo: Supplied

In Dunedin this Saturday, the Scottish celebration of Saint Andrew's Day will feature stone lifting, speedy porridge making, and a haggis event.

It's been half a century since Ōtepoti and Edinburgh established their sister city partnership.

Event organizer Simon Vare mentioned that Scottish immigrants have been coming to Dunedin since the 1850s, contributing their culture and playing a significant role in shaping the city.

"Forty thousand Scots have made their way to Dunedin to settle down, and you can see their influence in the architecture and various aspects of the city’s tourism today," he remarked.

The Dunedin-Edinburgh Sister City Society aimed to enhance their bond and honor their common heritage at the complimentary St. Andrew's Day celebration, featuring music, dance performances, and food tastings.

They were also looking to add some enjoyment to the events, featuring activities like trying out the bagpipes and stone lifting, with knowledgeable instructors on hand to assist participants, according to Vare.

We host a contest called The Big Blow Off, where participants try to produce the loudest sounds possible using a set of bagpipes.

Many years back, someone mentioned to me that the noise made by bagpipes is comparable to the roar of an airplane taking off. To put that to the test, we decided to use a decibel meter.

In the 1970s, the community acquired the 'Stones of Manhood,' which are round stones from Ōamaru, weighing between 90 and 140 kilograms, he mentioned.

They have organized demonstrations, allowing the public to practice their skills using smaller stones.

He urged everyone present to wear tartan to show their support for Scotland on its national day.

The festivities for St Andrew's Day will take place from 10 AM to 3 PM on Saturday in the Octagon.