Highland Spectacular returns to Kryal Castle for the third year

Clans gathered once again at Kryal Castle in Ballarat, Victoria to the rousing sound of a lone piper calling all kin within the mighty Castle walls, as the Highland Spectacular returned for its third year in August. The weekend was a celebration of Scottish heritage and culture with the Chief of the Day Simon Abney-Hastings, the 15^th Earl of Loudoun, returning as the Chief of the Day and special guest Malcolm Murray the 12^th Earl of Dunmore.

Andrew McKinnon ready to battle England in the joust.

The crowd favourite joust between the knights of England and Scotland returned to the main arena with the Scots, surprisingly taking the win. Proving once and for all that Scots are indeed the superior warriors of the burly lads and lasses from Highland Muscle.

For those who have never been to Edinburgh for the Tattoo, this was as close as you can get outside of Scotland. The massed pipes and drums celebrating the music of Scotland in the main arena with the fabulous Highland dancers with their wee’uns stole the show yet again.

Displays of Scottish culture in a Castle setting

From left: Mal Nicholson, Chief’s Lieutenant for Clan MacNicol in Australia, Frank McGregor High Commissioner and Chiefs Lieutenant for Clan Gregor Australia and the Honorary Consul for the United Kingdom in Tasmania, Fiona McGregor, Phil Leitch from Kryal Castle, Seargeant Ben Casey Pipe/Drum Major with 5th/6th Battalion, The Royal Victoria Regiment, Bruce Edmiston, Melissa Ventre, Malcolm Murray the 12th Earl of Dunmore, Simmon Abney-Hastings the 15th Earl of Loudoun, Jann McKinnon, Paul McKinnon Assistant Commissioner NSW Police (rtd), event organiser and Australian Commissioner for Clan MacKinnon Society.

On Saturday evening a traditional Highland Feast was held at the Castle with haggis and other fine Scottish culinary delights. Accompanying the delicious food were selected whiskys from Kinglake Distillery. After dinner the crowd jumped up for the stirring Hebridean tunes of Auld Alliance, who called traditional dances.

Highland Spectacular creative director, Andrew McKinnon, was excited to see the event grow in 2025 and said: “We saw thousands of people attend last year from the huge Scots diaspora around Ballarat and the Central Highlands region of Victoria. This year was the biggest turnout to date. I hope that we can attract more proud Scots from wider afield. Kryal Castle is only an hour from Melbourne. To see all the amazing attractions and displays of Scottish culture in a Castle setting makes this the closest thing to being in Scotland. Let’s not forget Ballarat has its own tartan!”

The Highland Spectacular was proudly presented by Kryal Castle.

The 2026 Highland Spectacular will take place August 29-30, 2026.

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