This year the Highlands will celebrate 40 years of Brigadoon.

Jimmy Barnes will be the chieftain of the 2017 Games and fits the criteria required to be chieftain by being Scottish (Glasgow-born) and a resident of the Southern Highlands.

In recent years, committee members have coined the phrase, ‘by the community, for the community’ and this will be more evident this year as the one-day event extends to a community festival during March.

Competitions and performances have been designed to encourage participation by as many Southern Highlands folk (young and not so young) as possible.

For anyone who is a photographer, painter, shortbread maker or dress designer, there are a host of prizes to win.

Sporting clubs can get a team together to compete in the Brigadoon Tug Of War as part of the Gathering on April 1

Email stalls.brigadoon@gmail.com to register interest.

The ‘Brigadoon’ Committee has announced there will be several additional events included at the Gathering.

Highland Titles will be sponsoring the inaugural Australian Highland Heavyweights Championship, organised and coordinated by the Tartan Warriors, who also present the ever-popular Bundanoon Stones Of Manhood.

Special new tunes have also been commissioned for pipe band, solo pipe and drummers’ flourish.

The competition-winning new Highland Dance for the 40th will be performed on the oval.

Younger patrons will not miss out either with a new area down behind the oval for the Bonnie Bairns competition that incorporates a children’s area.

The festival and book will be launched appropriately at the Robbie Burn’s Supper on January 25.

Large number of visitors are expected at this year’s event.

Sponsorship opportunities for the games are available. Call 4883 7471 or email publicity.brigadoon@gmail.com for details.