HILLS INDEPENDENT HILLS 130 April 2026 | страница 25

WHAT’ S ON

Penrith Highland Festival set for a

spectacular celebration of Scottish culture

A vibrant celebration of Scottish heritage is coming to Western Sydney, with the Penrith Highland Festival promising a full day of entertainment, culture and familyfriendly fun.
Festivalgoers can expect an actionpacked program
The Unusual Commoners
Blue Wiggle), Lachy Gillespie and Dougie Macfarland. The group was formed during a Wiggles tour of the UK, after a passer-by famously described them as“ an unusual bunch of commoners” while they were busking outside Oxford University.
Since then, the band has performed
featuring approximately 14 pipe bands, highland and Scottish country dancers, and the ever-popular Kilted Warriors strongman displays. There will also be plenty to keep all ages entertained, including 24 amusement rides, climbing walls, showbags and a wide range of food and local market stalls.
Adding to the excitement, visitors can step back in time with a reenactment village showcasing hand-to-hand combat, sword fighting and jousting demonstrations. Animal lovers will enjoy displays featuring Deerhounds and Border Collies, while other attractions include axe throwing, classic cars such as hot rods and Model A Fords, motorcycles, and a quintet competition.
A major highlight of this year’ s festival is the appearance of The Unusual Commoners, a lively ceilidh band featuring Anthony Field( the
internationally, including appearances in Newfoundland, Toronto and at the Port Fairy Folk Festival. Known for their energetic mix of drums, bagpipes, vocals, piano and tenor banjo, their performances are guaranteed to get crowds on their feet.
Anthony Field’ s passion for Scottish music began prior to his Wiggles career while serving in the Australian Army as a piper with the 5 / 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment. Lachy Gillespie also brings his love of traditional tunes to the group, performing on concertina and piano.
Joining them on stage will be Penrith RSL Pipes and Drums Pipe Major Andrew Iverson.
With tickets just $ 15 and free entry for children under five, the Penrith Highland Festival is set to be an unforgettable day out for the whole family.

SATURDAY OCTOBER 3

Penrith Showground

STATION STREET PENRITH
• Pipe Bands
• Band Quintet Competition
• Amusement Rides
• Highland Strongman
• Highland Dancers
• Hot Rods
• Dog Shows
KIDS UNDER 5 FREE
GATES OPEN 8AM & CLOSE AT 5PM
• Reenactment Village( Viking Ship)
• Jousting / Sword Fighting
• Medieval Martial Arts
• Community Stalls
• Food & Drink Vendors
• Plus Much More!
NO GLASS OR ALCOHOL TO BE BROUGHT IN

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

$ 15PP

PLUS 88 CENTS FEES. TOTAL $ 15.88PP
SCAN QR TO PURCHASE
BRING CHAIRS & RUGS

HIDDEN IN THE HILLS

O’ Hara’ s Creek Fire Trail Walk by Lachlan Turner

To commence this walk it is necessary to first drive to the northern end of Porter’ s Road Kenthurst until a locked gate is reached. Adequate parking is generally available. Public pedestrian access only is available beyond this point. By following the ridge line in a general northerly to north westerly direction, views are revealed across to the distant mountains as the fire trail passes the local gun club on the right.
Shortly the track makes a distinct turn to the left and commences to proceed down a gentle slope until there appears some interesting rocky outcrops on the adjacent hillside. From here the track becomes a little steeper as it winds its way down the escarpment to eventually reveal a large lagoon along the course of O’ Hara’ s Creek.
The environment in this valley is much wetter than higher up on the drier ridge. The result being a noticeable change in the vegetation types growing here. A track does continue upstream but soon ends.
The return trip requires a great deal more energetic exertion to walk back to the car park. The altitude difference between the lagoon and the gun club is in the vicinity of 100m.
It is advisable to be well prepared by way of appropriate clothing and footwear as well as having a supply of water and a snack bar or two. As with all bushwalking“ adventures”, it is suggested that a camera is a good idea as there will always be the opportunity to take a photo of something not seen before.
For further information on the Hills Shire Council Guided Bushwalks Program enter this web address into your computer’ s browser. www. thehills. nsw. gov. au / Venues / Parks-Recreation / Tracks-Trails
THE HILLS INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine. com. au ISSUE 130 // APRIL 2026 25