Spend the day soaking up Scottish culture and listen to fantastic bands at the Island Riding Centre! 

The Island Highland Gathering was the brain child of local doctor and talented musician, Dr Kieron Cooney, also known as the ‘Piping Hot Doc’… 

“We started with one band on a wet afternoon at Robin Hill in 2011 to raise money for local charities. Despite the rain we had a fabulous day in a wonderful location and people seemed to enjoy it.  We began to introduce more bands and involved lots of local bands and dancers. Dr Cooney’s own band Wight Hot Pipes have played some fabulous sets at the gathering from the very start and still close the show today.“ 

The now internationally acclaimed band, who play a unique style of Celtic to dance and rock music, have played at the Isle of Wight Festival, across Europe and even BB Kings, New York.  We are lucky to have them supporting the Island Highland Gathering, raising money for Island charity, Aspire, who are based in Ryde."

The event has grown since 2011 and this year includes pipe bands from across the Country, the Island Medina Marching Band, alongside a pipe and drum competition. There will be good food, whisky tasting, Bar, Tea and Cakes and lots of Island craft stalls, falconry flying and a display of Classic Cars.

One of the highlights of the day is the Highland games, this includes hurling the haggis and tossing the caber, great fun event and you're invited into the arena to ‘have a go’.

The Island Highland Gathering is organised by a small committee entirely to raise money for charity and to bring something different to the Island.