The Gathering 2014

**Tuirc** · 20th October 12, 04:48 AM

Not to be too cynical, because I'm not at all, but one must remember that this all occurs in a context, not in a vacuum. 2014 is when the vote for Scottish Independence is to be taken. The SNP government of Scotland has wisely chosen this vote to occur in the year of the 700th anniversary of Bannockburn. Having all the Scots from around the world gather in support, would not be a bad thing. Especially since I'm sure those of Scottish ancestry support independence much more than Scots living in Scotland do (below 30% last I heard), but we don't have to bear the repurcussions if things don't turn out. Romanicly and patriotically, we would much prefer an independent Scotland. So in terms of the potential Gathering, the government would be much in favor of having the Scottish people surrounded by a lot of people in favor of independence and urging them them to vote that way.

**Jock Scot** · 20th October 12, 05:21 AM

Tuirc, whilst what you say could possibly be a fair observation, but as a resident Scot, I can only hope that the good people from outwith Scotland and the UK in general------I quite accept the rest of the UK does have a serious and valid interest in the proceedings as they could be affected by the vote, if the vote went a certain way----- keep out of the debate. Whatever the outcome of the vote, it would be just awful, unbearable, and a repeat of the last three hundred years for us here today to inflict upon future Scots the depressing and unhelpful prospect of spending the next three hundred years moaning and groaning about the result and blaming all our assorted and undoubted ills on others.

**McClef** · 20th October 12, 07:20 AM

Indeed the vote is not a proper subject by our rules whether one is outwith or within Scotland.

Please keep contributions to the topic of the Gathering, thanks.

**Jock Scot** · 20th October 12, 07:23 AM

Ooops sorry, one post does seem to lead to another, does it not?

**McClef** · 20th October 12, 07:46 AM

I wasn't having a go at you Jock but rather trying to stop the thread going off topic as you were trying to do also from the viewpoint of a resident Scot.

The rules do not allow political discussion and therefore attempts to link the gathering with something else occurring had to have the proverbial shot across the bows.

**Jock Scot** · 20th October 12, 07:57 AM

No worries Trefor I quite understand, but thanks for that.

**AcuteEnigma** · 20th October 12, 03:27 PM

I do not think the Scottish people here in America are in favor of Independence, at least not the ones I have asked.
Hence the reason the Clans should not make a big show at Bannockburn.

We do not want to be used by Alex.

**Phil** · 21st October 12, 12:50 AM

It seems that this event will not now be taking place according to today's paper - http://www.scotsman.com/scotland-on-...lans-1-2590723

**frank_a** · 21st October 12, 01:54 AM

Very interesting, in part because Gail & I hoped to visit Scotland in 2014 for a 40th wedding anniversary trip. This clan gathering was not even on my radar screen, and I had not really connected the independence vote with our planned trip in my pointy little head. Maybe we should go next year, and do something different for our 40th? I mean, if there's a bunch of folks headed to Scotland in 2014, wouldn't that drive travel & lodging prices up? On the other hand, if they say the economy benefited (as I'm sure it did) well over 10 times the investment, I would bet there will be business leaders making some noise soon. This will be very interesting to follow!

Frank

**Phil** · 21st October 12, 02:45 AM

I posted this - http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...ncelled-76527/ - which is relevant to anyone reading this particular thread. Just in case anyone interested missed it. For some unexplained reason the post has disappeared.