Strathalbyn Settlers' Celebration

It's half way across the world to the highlands of Scotland...but try telling that to these people. They've gathered at the historic Glenbarr Homestead just outside of Strathalbyn to celebrate their Scottish ancestry. These traditions go back hundreds of years and were transplanted to the Adelaide hills by early pioneers such as William Rankine and his family who came to South Australia in 1839. Rankine established Glenbarr as a working farm and along with a host of other Scottish families made Strathalbyn a prosperous farming community. The call of the bagpipes is still strong here as the Srathalbyn Community prepares for its Settlers Celebration. "Back in 1839, the Rankines came up from Adelaide and to our knowledge there's never been a celebration of the settling of the area by the Scots." But that will all change next Sunday when these locals again don their period costumes and recreate life as it was lived by the William Rankine and other Scottish pioneers.

Janet Rankines children are fifth generation descendants of old William and she more than anyone knows the importance of Glenbarr Homestead to the opening up of this wee piece of Scotland in the Adelaide Hills. "They selected land here because the cattle liked it, open spaces around the creek area and that sort of thing." "And what was William's background in Scotland?" "Farming, yes he was a farmer but his brother John was a doctor. He had shares in the Albion mines in Scotland, that's where the name Albyn from Strathalbyn comes from. Strath being a river valley and Albyn was a derivation of the Albion mines." "They must have been quite hardy people to establish such an amazing property here in the Adelaide Hills?" "Well they had ten children and three died of diptheria and things and they had a lot of trouble with disease taking their children." It's hard to imagine such hardship now as these locals revel in all things Scottish. Sunday's activities will include highland games and dancing. This by the way was once the sole domain of men as they prepared for battle. It was considered an ominous sign to unsettle a sabre, these highland dancers didn't which augurs well for the Strathalbyn Settlers Celebration at Glenbarr Homestead on Sunday May 16th. For further detail contact Jennifer Casper on 8536 3015. Admission is $5 or email info@postcards-sa.com.au