Te Anau was a hub of everything Scottish on the weekend as the Te Anau Tartan Festival made a triumphant return after a one-year hiatus.

More than 500 people flocked to the Real Journeys Fiordland Community Events Centre on Saturday to see a large variety of highland themed events.

There were some minor disruptions to the outdoor highland games due to bad weather, but that didn’t deter crowds from the event, which was in its fifth year.

Event secretary Kirsty Pickett said moving the event to an indoor venue turned out to be a good one given the bad weather on the day.

“Previously the dancing has been in a marquee outside so it was a lucky call because we wouldn’t have been able to do it.”

More than 30 dancers took part in a variety of highland dancing competitions throughout the day, with participants travelling from as far as Christchurch for the event.

Trophies on display to be handed out during the 2019 Te Anau Tartan Festival. PHOTO: Ben Waterworth

There were also more than 20 pipers competing in a variety of piping competitions held throughout the day.

Earlier in the day, more than 50 competitors took part in the highland games which included traditional events such as caber tossing, sheaf tossing, rock carry and the farmers walk.

The kids were also kept well entertained with the running of a “Haggis Run” and “Build Nessie” competition.

The event was also boosted holding it alongside the Te Anau market which drew plenty of people along to a variety of different stalls.

The Te Anau market was held alongside the Tartan Festival and attracted large crowds. PHOTO: Ben Waterworth

Mrs Picket said it was a great day out for the family as well as celebrating the highland heritage of Southland.

“It’s designed to be affordable family entertainment. The idea is for everybody to have fun and get dressed up in tartan.”