Early Settlers
Following the crossing of the Blue Mountains by Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson in 1813, the gates were open for rural settlement in New South Wales.
In 1818, John Oxley discovered the Liverpool Plains and the southern end of what was to be known as "New England". However, it was not until 1838 that the first squatter came to what is now known as the Glen Innes district.
The earliest settlers in Glen Innes Highlands were Scottish and enjoyed the cooler climate of the highlands, which reminded them of their home country.
Soon after their arrival, Irish, Cornish and Welsh people also started to settle in the area.
Embracing Our History
Many Glen Innes community members embrace our Celtic and Scottish heritage and participate in the various experiences and ceremonies held throughout the year.
The many Scottish settlers who were part of Glen Innes Highlands’ proud heritage are immortalised in the Australian Standing Stones - the man-made, megalithic array that is unique in the southern hemisphere, which has become the official national monument to Australia’s Celtic pioneers.
The love of Celtic history, music and culture has remained strong among our local residents. In 1992, locals organised the first Australian Celtic Festival, which has continued annually since, attracting Celtic musicians, artists and performers from around the world, as well as many thousands of visitors, many of which attend to represent Celtic clans and societies.
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Acknowledgement of Country
Glen Innes Highlands acknowledges and pays respect to the Ngoorabul people as the traditional custodians of this land, their elders past, present and emerging, and to Torres Strait Islander people and all First Nations people.
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