The Gathering 2014

**ThistleDown** · 15th October 12, 07:16 PM

Originally Posted by cessna152towser

So very true. I am perfectly happy with the Clan Chiefs going to Stone Mountain to muster support for 2014.

I think, Alex, that the chiefs are going to Stone Mountain more to ensure that control is not wrested from Scotland, than to muster initial support. They don't wish to be in charge themselves, they just want everyone in America to know that they will only be on display (and participating) if the event is a Scottish one and not either owned by an individual or controlled from overseas. After that is clearly acknowledged many of them will come forward to help promote it. What I like so much about how this is being handled is the mutual insistence on transparency and co-operation.

**thescot** · 15th October 12, 07:52 PM

I shall be very interested in seeing what happens this weekend. I'll be at Stone Mountain.

Chas, thanks for your clarification. I look forward to sharing a wee dram with you, perhaps in 2014, perhaps sooner if either of us finds his way to the other's side of the pond sooner. The first round is on me. (I already owe Jock a drink, just to point out that I have not forgotten. :-) )

I can pretty well assure one and all that no one on this side of the pond wants anything other than a good time in 2014--control and planning will certainly be left to the Scots, and I surely hope it will be more sucessful that the 2009 effort.

**Jock Scot** · 15th October 12, 10:40 PM

Whilst I doubt that I shall be on parade at any of the "gathering" type stuff, its just not my style, I would be delighted to share that dram with you Jim, if ever you venture this far North.

**thescot** · 16th October 12, 08:21 AM

Oh, I assure you, Jock, that if I can get to Scotland again, I'll definitely make it that far north! In fact, it'll be a primary goal of the trip.

**AcuteEnigma** · 19th October 12, 07:16 PM

So... did you all get the idea that there will be no Gathering 2014?
All I heard was either "There will be a small clan village at the Bannockburn 700 event" (which will not fly) or
"each clan can have a gathering in their region" which is not a GATHERING.

:-(
It really is too late unless we pull off a miracle. Can we all agree to put up clan tents at the Glamis castle event or what do we do?

**Mael Coluim** · 19th October 12, 07:32 PM

Unfortunately for me work got in the way and I wasn't about to tune it to the webcast. I did receive an email from COSCA this evening that there were some difficulties in hosting it. They are to post on their web page an audio of it and a written synopsis in the next couple of days.

Do not despair AE, it ain't over till it's over.

**Chas** · 20th October 12, 03:01 AM

I logged on for the whole of the period but unfortunately the technical difficulties were insurmountable. Nothing was broadcast and it was terminated early when it became obvious that it was not going to work. We shall have to wait for the download and transcript.

Regards

Chas

**cessna152towser** · 20th October 12, 03:37 AM

"each clan can have a gathering in their region" which is not a GATHERING.

It might not be the best case scenario to have regional gatherings only, with no national gathering but regional gatherings were proved to work in 2009. A Clan Scott gathering had been planned for Selkirk in September 2009 and when the Duke of Buccleuch, Chief of Clan Scott, learned that many of the Scottish based lowland clan and family societies were not being given the opportunity to participate in hosting tents at the Edinburgh fiasco he extended his event to include a Muster of the Clans and invited the lowland families to participate. This proved to be a highly successful international gathering and clan march, which brought in many visitors from Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa and was a magnificent boost for the economy of Selkirk and surrounding towns. For me, from the perspective of a Scottish based host, the Muster of the Clans in September 2009 proved to be the highlight of that year's homecoming events, and seemed to be thoroughly enjoyed by our many overseas visitors. I have already been asked by my clan society to keep the Bannockburn 2014 dates free with a view to hosting a tent and will watch this thread with considerable interest to see how things will unfold.

**Tuirc** · 20th October 12, 03:54 AM

I'll no doubt see Donald MacLaren today at the SMGs. I'll try to have a wee chat about 2014 with him. I know when we visited with him in May in Balquidder, he mentioned 2014, but it sounds as though things have changed since then.

**AcuteEnigma** · 20th October 12, 04:28 AM

I think Gathering 2014 may be the biggest topic at the Stone Mountain Highland Games today, but unless someone comes up with a miracle, there will be no big gathering.

Regional Gatherings might still be done in the 20 months time left, but then why not move the Gathering to 2016 and have time to do it right?

Personally I think there should be a Clans Gathering at Edinburgh every couple of years. The Fringe Festival is there every summer, so why not a Clans Gathering?

What we are left with at this point is either everyone choosing a big games to show up at, like the Strathmore games at Glamis in June, or no BIG gathering, but several regional gatherings.

So why did Stirling Council say they would put on this event and then do nothing at all???????

All those clans who already made plans, booked rooms and buses, and set up tours before & after are not happy.

That book "How Scots Invented The World" is going to have a bad ending. :-(