The Gathering 2009

By Jaap Verduijn on July 19th, 2009

The Gathering 2009 Week at Stirling University Management Centre
Our Clan Society extended The Gathering ‘09 weekend, part of The Homecoming Year, to seven July days and eight nights at the above venue in Bridge of Allan, near Stirling, Scotland. This was a central hub from which to radiate forth on our travels and explorations including the Edinburgh event of The Gathering ‘09 based in Holyrood Park on 25th & 26th July. The latter was a memorable experience with its clan tented village, merchandising outlets, promotions, entertainments, and a kaleidoscopic range of tartans, Scottish dress, and individual sartorial tastes. Headgear eagle feathers were much in attendance, denoting the armigerous status of their bearer. Whilst our Chief was unable to be present, we were delighted to welcome our own armiger Ian M. Ferguson from Australia sporting one eagle feather, and flanked by his supportive and engaging lady wife.

Gathering 2009: Clan Group
Our tent was kept busy with enquiries from around the globe, a tear in their eye at times, and 114 signatures in our visitor’s book. Our Clan Name Board even attracted Far Eastern Manchester United lady supporters. Yes! Sir Alex is an Honorary Member, so smiles all round.
The evening Parade up The Royal Mile to the Castle Esplanade stuttered at first as it milled around but, with banners flying, eventually proceeded on its way to the skirl o’ the pipes. Crowds lined the route cheering, applauding, and taking pictures. It was unbelievable.

Once seated in the Castle arena, time hung on our hands for about an hour, with the temperature dropping. Why didn’t I take my jacket and/or my hip flask? The theme for The Pageant was geared towards the diaspora and titled “Aisling’s Children; Tales of The Homecoming”. Aisling means vision in Gaelic and over the next hour the narrator used her powers of second sight to take us on an allegorical trip through Scottish history, starting with the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320. As a home Scot I didn’t quite feel the vibes experienced by the visitors. However the massed pipes and drums at the finale did the trick.
An official DVD and CD has been produced by The Gathering organisation.. Check the gathering web site, and by signing up for Panalba this may keep you further informed if and when the Gathering site is stood down.


Outside Clan tent – Gathering 2009
Stirling itself is an historic city and the Society was thrilled and honoured by being invited to a civic reception, where a skilled young schoolboy piped members in to be received and welcomed by Provost Wood. The latter presented a quaich* to commemorate this event and in return he accepted a Clan Society plaque. Earlier in the day, 246 steps up the Wallace Monument provided a memorable view, historically and geographically, and this was complemented by a visit to the bulwark of Stirling Castle with its associated history.
The weather at this point was rather damp and dreich, and it must be said that the Clan “whipper-in” did find some stragglers hiding from the weather and slaking their thirst in the Nicky Tams Inn. Their penalty? A top up to the whipper-in of course! And can you remember what Nicky Tams are?

Friday was a busy day with the visit to Burns country including the Tam o’ Shanter experience, Burns cottage, a hosted visit to Kilkerran the home of our Chief, and our clan reception in the Management Centre by Sir Charles in the evening followed by dinner and ceilidh with 50 members and friends attending. This included the most senior North American Society member, Richard Ferguson Vice President of Region X1 and his wife Anna, accompanied by his cousin and his wife Rex and Jan Ferguson respectively, and Alan Ferguson representing New Zealand. A Canadian contingent of Fergusons and Elliotts, not forgetting Paul Mootz, chef extraordinaire, boosted our numbers, and other Americans viz; Mary Kennedy, Lori Hodges, Diana Shields, Roger Ferguson, and Andrew Meeks added to this. All were gratefully welcomed by our Chairman Stan on behalf of our own Society. Sir Charles was presented with an inscribed quaich to mark the occasion and the Stirling Council equivalent was accepted by Sir Charles for safe keeping on behalf of the Society.


Clan group on Royal Mile – Gathering 2009
Following the Gathering weekend, outings were a little more relaxed with the visit to the Trossachs and Loch Katrine incorporating a return sail on the S.S. Sir Walter Scott to Stronachlachar, this ship having plied these waters since 1900. This rekindled the bucolic image of Scotland’s mountains, lochs, and glens, and of course reminds us that the 200th anniversary of the eponymous gentleman’s poem The Lady of the Lake will be in 2010 – yes, next year! Come back for the celebrations! En route to our temporary home, a stop off for lunch at the Harbour Cafe on Loch Vennachar with such wonderful views, browsing the shops around Callander, then a return to base, closed the day’s expedition. Of course a further period of social integration followed in the evening.

Lechfeld Highlanders from Germany attract Duncan
The next day our trip took in Moulin Kirk heritage centre where a section is given over to the Dunfallandy Fergussons. Vivien Staplyton-Smith acted as hostess and guide and we are grateful to all in the Centre who supported her. Lunch was enjoyed in the Killiecrankie House Hotel, propietor Henrietta Fergusson, and supported by an Australian wine by the name of Fergusson. The Killiecrankie Visitor Centre was visited by some, with the spendthrifts opting for The House of Bruar, an upmarket country shopping complex. The last full day was back to the Stirling catchment area with Bannockburn Heritage Centre for the historians – remember King Robert the Bruce defeated the Auld Enemy here in 1314 – and the Falkirk Wheel for the technocrats – these were the places of interest.

Been at the bazaar or just bizarre?
The last official engagement was the AGM for 2009. The minutes and a report will follow later, but mention must be made that one of our group, a Mr. Billy Crawford from the Isle of Bute attained the ripe ‘young’ age of 70 years also on the day. His good wife Liz. put up a toast for us all to drink his health. Thank you from the group. In similar vein, our overseas visitors were presented with a mini-quaich “filled” with Talisker (Isle of Skye) malt whisky to commemorate their visit to the homeland. Needless to say all were drained before being packed away. Hic!

A big thank you to all who joined us from near and far and for such convivial and material support.

“And there’s a hand, my trusty fere!
And gie’s a hand o’ thine!
And we’ll tak’ a richt guid willie waught,
For auld lang syne.” (Burns)

Duncan.

* Gaelic: cuach – a drinking cup


Mary Kennedy USA tracing her Highland roots, and comes up with “Hamish” this Highland bull!

Duncan presents young piper Ciaran Wood with a fine sgian dubh, donated by our chairman Stan.

And here’s what Ciaran (well-deservedly!) got it for: welcoming The Society at the Stirling civic reception with his bagpipes.

Here are even more pictures of the Gathering 2009!