So say the stirring words of the song made popular by Scotland’s most famous living tenor, Kenneth MacKellar. It is certainly a long time since the clans and their chiefs moved out of their ancestral glens, straths and seats and gathered in such great numbers, but that is exactly what’s happening at the end of July.

This promising event, which has been in the planning for the last two years and which enjoys the patronage of the Prince of Wales, will bring the biggest clan gathering ever to Scotland’s capital city of Edinburgh. More than 140 clan chiefs have been invited to rally their clansmen and women from the Vales of Atholl, the Lands of Lorn, the Western Isles, the Borders, the Highlands, the Grampians, the Straths of Sutherland and from across the world. As vice Convenor of the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs, Lord Sempill, chief of the Name and Arms of Sempill was first to identify that the Scottish Executive’s desire to make 2009 the ‘Year of Homecoming’ presented a unique opportunity to rally the Scottish clans and bring them to Edinburgh to celebrate the rich history and cultural traditions of our ancient tribes. His foresight in seeing the potential of this great gathering has resulted in one of Scotland’s largest events for decades.

History on parade

Along with his co-director Jenny Gilmour, Lord Sempill’s work on the road to an international gathering has been gathering pace. Over the past few months many difficulties have been negotiated, bridges crossed and paths trodden at home and abroad to make sure that the events of July 25 and 26 will put the world spotlight on Edinburgh, where thousands can share the enthusiasm for the traditions and heritage of the country. One of the highlights of the event will be the clan parade, with around 5000 clansmen and women marching up the Royal Mile from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to the Edinburgh Castle esplanade in the early evening of Saturday 25 July.

This will be the first time that the clans have marched the entire length of this famous street. The parade will be divided into sections, each one being led by a pipe band. Clans will march in alphabetical order with the chiefs and commanders carrying clan banners and flags. Among the clans and chiefs marching will be the MacLeods, MacDougalls, MacDonalds, MacPhersons, MacGregors, MacMillans, MacLarens, MacTavishs, MacNabs, Camerons, Frasers, Gunns, Forsyths, Elliots, Hendersons, Carmichaels, Mathesons and many more. The parade will lead directly onto the castle esplanade where a historic pageant will be staged relating the dramatic story of Scotland’s history in a speciallywritten theatrical show, with narrative, dance, music and a son et lumiére effect.

Highland Games

Over the two days the Gathering will be hosting the Deuchars World Highland Highland Games Heavy Events Championships. The top 10-12 leading ‘heavies’ will compete in the traditional games events of tossing the caber, putting the stone, throwing the weight for height, for distance and throwing the hammer. No games would be worth their salt without highland dancing and piping. Working with the Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing, it is anticipated that hundreds of dancers of all ages will compete in various categories.

The high profile which piping enjoys today will also be manifest with the Gathering 2009 Invitational Piping competition. In this event the cream of the piping world including Stuart Liddell, Willie McCallum, Angus MacColl, Ian Speirs, Gordon Walker, Bruce Gandy, Greg Wilson and Niall Stewart will show their prowess on the great highland bagpipe. The Gathering will also include a hill race, live music and a taste of Scotland, with quality food and drink stands.

Clan Tents

Perhaps one of the most appealing aspects of the whole event will be the clan tents. With more than 100 booked, there will be opportunities for all to mingle and meet old friends and make new ones. The event will also present the facilities for tracing ancestors and will help clan organisations to meet and exchange ideas on promoting their activities in different parts of the world. With the high number of visiting clan chiefs, the opportunity has been taken to have the fi rst ever clan convention, which will discuss the role of the clan in the 21st century. Lord Sempill’s desire is that the Gathering will be a celebration of the contribution made by the clans to the culture and history of Scotland.

More than 8000 clansmen and women from around the globe and a further 30,000 visitors from Scotland and the UK are expected to come together to make this one of the greatest international gatherings the world has ever seen. Having had the foresight and the courage to embark on this marathon venture, let us hope that Lord Sempill’s vision of the clans gathering, celebrating and presenting the best of Scottish traditions and culture to the world will be the success it deserves to be.

FIELDFACTS

The Gathering 2009 Ltd 27 Queen Charlotte Street, Edinburgh Tel: 0131 561 1323 www.thegathering2009.com