A special guest at this year’s 32nd Paeroa Highland Games and Tattoo will be the Chief of Clan Matheson, Sir Alexander Matheson. He and his wife Lady Katharine are making a private visit to New Zealand, and they will also be making an official Clan Matheson visit to the games.

The Paeroa Highland Games are being held from 9am to 9pm on Saturday, February 8 at the Paeroa Domain.

“This year we have hugely increased the size of our variety stage, with this year’s special guests Hogsnort Bulldogs Goodtime Band and RetroGroove playing there during the day,” Paeroa Highland Games chair Richard Hornell said.

“Along with a very special performance by the Hamilton Caledonian Pipe Band as part of our spectacular three-hour Evening Tattoo.”

A band playing at the Evening Tattoo of the Paeroa Highland Games. Photo / Trevor Lowe.

Hornell said that during the day attendees can visit the clan village area to buy Scottish souvenirs, check out their genealogy, and try Scottish food.

“We have 16 clans present as well as 10 Scottish-themed shops and 43 market stands and food vendors. This is the largest clan village that we have had.

“Children’s entertainment will be running throughout the day including stilt walkers. Our new Highland Bar is located next to the grandstand, with a great view of the main arena.”

Highland dancers. Photo / Trevor Lowe

Hornell said the visit of Sir Alexander and Lady Katharine is a highlight for those with Matheson heritage, and everyone is welcome to join in celebrating their Scottish heritage.

Lieutenant Colonel Sir Alexander Fergus Matheson of Matheson, 8th Baronet of Lochalsh and 28th Chief of the Clan, succeeded to the baronetcy and to the chiefship on the death of his father, Sir Fergus Matheson, in 2017.

After three years at Durham University, Sir Alexander joined the Coldstream Guards as his father, grandfather, three uncles, three first cousins and both godfathers had done before him. He served as a regular officer from 1973 to 2001 in Britain and on many overseas postings.

He later headed the British Schools Exploring Society before becoming Secretary of the Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood at St James’ Palace. He has served in the royal household as a gentleman usher and extra equerry to Queen Elizabeth II and to King Charles III.

Lady Katharine Matheson with Sir Alexander Matheson, who is also the Chief of Clan Matheson.

The Mathesons divide their time between Berkshire and the Isle of Skye and have three married children: Andrew, Archie and Louisa, and five grandchildren.

“Stay a while to watch pipe band competitions, Highland dancing, caber tossing and hammer throwing. Get into steampunk with a tartan theme or watch the spectacular Evening Tattoo,” Hornell said.

The day’s events start with solo piping and Highland dancing competitions, and Highland Games at 9am.

From 10am, the axemen’s chopping carnival gets under way followed by the heavyweight field events such as toss the caber and the strong men throwing big weights.

March from Paeroa Castle at the Evening Tattoo of the Paeroa Highland Games. Photo / Rod Baker-Clemas

At 10.30am, the chief, Sir Alexander Matheson, will lead Mathesons and all the clans as they march into the main arena for the opening ceremony. It will begin with the singing of the New Zealand anthem and the unofficial Scottish anthem, Flower of Scotland.

From 11am to 5pm various performers including Hogsnort Bulldogs Goodtime Band, RetroGroove, Hazy and the Jays will perform on the Variety Stage.

From 12 noon, pipe bands will compete in sets and medleys next to the band rotunda.

During the day, visitors to the Paeroa Highland Games can visit the clans’ area to buy Scottish souvenirs, check out their genealogy, and try Scottish food. Photo / Trevor Lowe

Steampunk Tartan will take to the stage at 4.30pm and then at 5.30pm the popular street march will take place. This year the march takes a new route, ending with all of the bands marching all the way into the domain and through the castle.

The highlight for many attending will be the Evening Tattoo. This three-hour variety family spectacular from 6pm to 9pm, complete with the Paeroa Castle, is based on the famous Edinburgh Tattoo in Scotland.

March from Paeroa Castle at the Evening Tattoo of the Paeroa Highland Games. Photo / Trevor Lowe

The opening segment of the Evening Tattoo features the first of two massed band displays with 250 pipers and drummers.

“It is sure to stir the blood and sends tingles down the spine,” Hornell said.

“This year’s special guests are the Hogsnort Bulldogs Goodtime Band, RetroGroove, and Hamilton Caledonian Pipe Band. We have 12 pipe bands taking part in this year’s Evening Tattoo, as well as the heaving weight events like the caber toss and farmers' walk.”

Tossing the caber. Photo / Trevor Lowe

During the evening show, the Transtasman Caber challenge will be contested between the teams from New Zealand and Australia.

Other performances during the three-hour event include highland dancers, mace flourishing, pipe band displays, and Ode to the Haggis. The tattoo closes with the “Lone Piper” playing, and a special surprise finale.

For further information go to

Paeroa Highland Games programme: paeroahighlandgames.co.nz/programme

Clan Matheson New Zealand website events page: www.clanmatheson.org.nz/get-involved/events-2

Clan Matheson New Zealand Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/ClanMathesonNewZealand