It was the annual Maitland Tattoo and from all reports it was an outstanding success.

The sounds of bagpipes and fiddles resonated through the Town Hall this Saturday on a night of special celebration – Maitland’s very own nod to the internationally successful Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Scotland.

As usual the City of Maitland Pipes and Drums played a key role, but secretary treasurer Greg Keenan was happy to share the love around.

“There would have been about 300 paying guests and it was just a brilliant night, everyone had a ball,” he said.

“It was terrific, a load of fun.”

The event, which has been one the Maitland calendar since 1997, has grown in popularity over the years.

“Originally when we started it we didn’t have it every year,” Mr Queenan said.

“We started in the Polish Hall and then we outgrew that, so we moved it to the Senior Citizens Hall and then we outgrew that. Now we’re in the Town Hall, we’re filling that, and we’re get high quality performers from all over. It’s a real event on the calendar these days."

This year the Mayor Loretta Baker was on hand, as was former Mayor Peter Blackmore and his wife Robyn, as well as Member for Maitland Jenny Aitchison, and councillor Ben Mitchell among other dignitaries.

“I think if there was a star act on the night it would had to have been the Lithgow Highland Pipe Band,” Mr Queensan said.

“They have 15 members in the band and they were sensational. The crowd loved them.

“And locally, we had Kurri Public School there too – their choir sang and they also had a team of highland dancers.

“Then there was Town Crier Stephen Clarke, he was superb. He’s an entertainment act all by himself.

“We had Irish dancing too – a wide range of entertainment. You couldn’t ask for more. 

“Many of our sponsors were in the crowd and they would have had to have been pleased to be a part of it.”