Scotland - 2009
The 2009 Gatherings in Scotland
By Louise and Ted Gunn
Edinburgh
Clan Gunn held its 16th International Gathering from July 24th to August 2nd by first taking part in the Homecoming Gathering in Edinburgh and many Clan Gunn members from around the world were present. For us, it was a great opportunity to again greet old friends and to make new ones.
The Homecoming Gathering was the biggest event in a year of celebrations marking the 250th Anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns, Scotland’s national poet. It was the first time that Scotland hosted such a grand gathering of clans and Clan Chiefs during a highland games event. If interested in some general info, see website www.homecomingscotland2009.com
The opening activity on July 24th was the all-day Clan Convention that was held in the Scottish Parliament’s Debating Chamber and chaired by the Parliament’s Presiding Officer, Alex Fergusson MSP. It was quite extraordinary to see about 100 Clan Chiefs ¨ without swords and all at peace ¨ assembled in the same room. Clan Gunn had a delegation of five led by Commander Iain Gunn of Banniskirk who was joined by the presidents of three Clan Gunn Societies - Alan Robson CGSUK, Richard (Rich) Gunn CGSNA, Todd Wall CGSNZ and I (Ted) had the honor of being invited to participate.
The morning session consisted of speeches by a variety of dignitaries beginning with a welcome and opening address by the Right Honorable Malcolm Sinclair, the Earl of Caithness and Hereditary Chief of Clan Sinclair whose topic was The Role of the Clan in the 21st Century. Other speakers of note were David Sellar, the Lord Lyon, Bob McWilliam, President Emeritus of COSCA (Council of Scottish Clan Associations, USA) as well as Donald MacLaren of Maclaren, Clan Chief.
After lunch, participants were invited to join breakout sessions for discussions on various topics including the 2009 Gathering and whether such an event should be repeated in the future – there seemed to be a positive view on this matter and it could be repeated within a few years. About mid-afternoon a fire alarm sounded and we were obliged to leave the building for a short time. When we were invited to return for the final session, I (Ted) opted to return to our hotel where our son Ken and the other members of our Quebec group were arriving and we needed to prepare for an early evening dinner and concert.
The Opening Ceremonies at Edinburgh’s Holyrood Park on Saturday were spectacular with Pipes and Drums Bands marching in, followed by the official announcement made by the Duke of Rothesay (better known as Prince Charles). His remarks included a selection of poems by Burns and other Scottish poets. It was rather special to be present at such a ceremony.
More than 120 clans hosted a tent in the Park for the two-day event and participated in the parade up the Royal Mile to Edinburgh Castle where a Pageant was held on the Esplanade. The crowd of appreciative spectators who lined the street was estimated at 20,000.
There were over 90 names on the list for Clan Gunn Gathering and we had a delegation of five from Canada, all of them from Quebec. The New Zealand delegation held a rather moving Maori Hapu Ceremony. It took place on the morning of July 26th in front of the Gunn tent and was well attended.
The Gathering moves to Caithness
On the Monday morning, we departed by coach for the trip north with a first stop at the Dalwhinnie Distillery. What a wonderful idea - a wee dram of fine whisky just before lunch at a nearby hotel! After a very interesting visit at Baile Gean, a Highland Folklore Village, we arrived in Inverness for a two-day stay that would include visits to Cawdor Castle, Culloden Battlefields and Fort George. Then, on our way to Caithness, we visited Dunrobin Castle where Alistair Sutherland, Lord Strathnaver, welcomed us. Under a radiant sunshine, we saw a fascinating falconry display in the beautiful gardens. We then continued to Helmsdale for lunch and a visit to see the new display at the Timespan Museum. Until this point, the programme was almost completely new and it was a nice change.
We traveled through the Strath of Kildonan, the Glen of the Gunns, on our way to Thurso, our base for the next four days. There we enjoyed the activity schedule prepared by the great CGSUK team led by Alan and Sally Robson as well as Iain and Aline (Bunty) Gunn, with assistance from David Taylor and Tom Jamieson. We must also mention the contribution of our excellent piper, Chuck Jamison, from Orangevale CA; he frequently entertained us and was much appreciated.
The first outing was an interesting visit to the latest museum in Thurso called Caithness Horizons, located in the Old Town Hall. As on previous gatherings, we visited the sites of St. Tears Chapel and that of the Halberry Castle, as well as the Heritage Centres at Latheron and Dunbeath. Another day, the coach took us to Castle Sinclair Girnigo where Malcolm Sinclair, the Earl of Caithness, was our guide. He described what the archeological search had uncovered and what was being done to preserve the old castle. Then we moved on to the Wick Heritage Center followed by a pleasant picnic lunch at the nearby Staxigoe Harbour. That evening of July 31st, Commander Iain and Aline (Bunty) Gunn hosted a reception at their home, Swiney House, followed by dinner and a fun ceilidh at the Lybster Arms Hotel.
As usual, the annual meeting was held on Saturday at the Ross Institute in Halkirk and Helen Hill was elected the new president of the CGSUK. By the time the meeting was over, the sky had darkened and it was very windy. Nevertheless, we had a picnic lunch at Dirlot Cemetery, where some of my Gunn ancestors are buried. The Gala dinner at the Weigh Inn was again a lovely evening with everyone wearing his/her best ¨Sunday¨ attire. The Gathering ended on Sunday, with a moving service held at the Kildonan Church in the Glen of the Gunns, after which many said farewell and departed.
Many photos from the Gatherings can be viewed on the website of Chuck Jamison, see http://www.2jamisons.com/gunn-09scotland.html
