The Gathering 2014 – Upcoming Event News

[cessna152towser]

http://www.facebook.com/thegathering2014

Just back from the Homecoming 2014 launch at Hopetoun House.
So...
They have announced 101 supported or partnership events across Scotland in 2014.
Mike Cantly, head of Visit Scotland spoke, saying Homecoming was a 'no brainer'. That we need to get behind the events and promote Scotland.
Then Alex Salmond spoke - said 2009 was an 'enormous success' and we could do even better next year. They have invested 5.5 million initial investment and were aiming for a massive return to the economy (think it was 44 million).
He went onto to 'very quickly' mention some events:
Scottish Brass Band Festival
3 day Bannockburn event was the 'epicentre' - they are aiming to attract 50,000 visitors.
Hebredian Tattoo
Ryder Cup
Commonwealth Games
Hopetoun House Fair
50th Anniversary of Forth Road Bridge (Alex Salmond joked that he was there at the opening)
Alex Salmond said the 2009 Homecoming was announced in August 2008 - so this time they are ahead of schedule.
He said once success was established they would look at rolling out these themes again.
There were no questions afterwards, and no mention of Clans.
We were given a pamplet as we were leaving - but it was very general. They have listed events on the homecoming website: http://www.homecomingscotland.com/
We are now in the process of going through all these events and seeing what clan related ones there are.
Notably Glamis is being described as 'International Arts Festival' http://www.visitscotland.com/info/events/the-spiri...
We'll keep you up to date.

Latest update on the 2014 Homecoming Year.

Looks like, as with 2009, a variety of festivities and special events to look forward to throughout the year.

[cessna152towser]

More here:-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotlan...-fife-21958645
Homecoming 2014 Events Unveiled by First Minister

The first phase of Scotland's 2014 Year of Homecoming has been unveiled by the First Minister.
About 100 events are planned including a concert to open the Ryder Cup and a flotilla to celebrate the Forth Road Bridge's 50th anniversary.
Other events include Europe's biggest brass band festival and a re-enactment of the Battle of Bannockburn.
Alex Salmond joined VisitScotland chairman Mike Cantlay at Hopetoun House in South Queensferry for the launch.
They are part of a year-long programme of homecoming celebrations.
Tweedlove Bike Festival
New events include John Muir Festival in East Lothian, to herald the opening of a coast-to-coast route which is named after the naturalist, Findhorn Bay Arts Festival in Moray, World Sheepdog Trials in Tain and European Festival of Brass in Perthshire.
Existing events such as Hogmanay, Edinburgh festivals, Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, Edinburgh Mela, Royal National MOD, Turriff Show, East Neuk Festival, Outdoor Orkney Festival and Tweedlove Bike Festival will receive funding for homecoming additions to their planned programmes for next year.
Mr Salmond said: "Scotland is preparing to welcome the world during our second Year of Homecoming in 2014.
"Next year, people from all across the globe with Scottish connections, and those without, will come to our country to celebrate with friends and family and enjoy the huge programme of events that I am delighted to unveil.
"Fantastic expressions of culture such as Europe's biggest brass band festival will sit alongside the exciting commemorations of the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn and a variety of celebrations of Scotland's heritage, history and food and drink in a 12-month schedule that truly does offer something for everyone in every corner of the country."

For those able to access the link there is a picture of Alex Salmond with a group of kilted kilts.

[TheOfficialBren]

Dang! I really hope to be able to attend.

Thanks for the tourist tips regarding Skarra Brae.

[Chas]

With all these wonderful, once in a lifetime activities and events going on, I wonder why they all steadfastly refuse to give us the one activity that people are crying out for? By this I mean the mass parade of the clans. It surely cannot be beyond the wit of man to organise a 1 mile march through an urban area with pipebands and flags flying! It worked in 2009 and could do so again in 2014. But instead they want us to wander round the highlands and islands and get back to our roots in our clan lands. It can't happen at Bannockburn during the three day celebrations - there aren't the facilities. This is not what the public want.

Regards

Chas

[TheOfficialBren]

Here is what I, as a potential guest in the country would like to see:

Bannockburn battle reenactment, history and art lectures from eminent scholars, Scottish musical performances, and a GIANT MOTHER OF ALL CLAN MARCHES!!!

That is, I guarantee, the number one attraction that most foreign tourists will want...a giant clan march. Seeing the most of the coumtry is desirable but notmnecessarily possible. The point of 2014 is to connect it all AT BANNOCKBURN!

Are tourist packages including event tickets/passes going to be available? If not then why not? Some of us (indeed, many) will be making our first trip to Scotland in 2014.

Lasso us in! We want to give you our money.

[Grizzly]

With all these wonderful, once in a lifetime activities and events going on, I wonder why they all steadfastly refuse to give us the one activity that people are crying out for? By this I mean the mass parade of the clans. It surely cannot be beyond the wit of man to organise a 1 mile march through an urban area with pipebands and flags flying! It worked in 2009 and could do so again in 2014. But instead they want us to wander round the highlands and islands and get back to our roots in our clan lands. It can't happen at Bannockburn during the three day celebrations - there aren't the facilities. This is not what the public want.

Regards

Chas

Absolutely Chas couldn't agree more.

[Jock Scot]

With all these wonderful, once in a lifetime activities and events going on, I wonder why they all steadfastly refuse to give us the one activity that people are crying out for? By this I mean the mass parade of the clans. It surely cannot be beyond the wit of man to organise a 1 mile march through an urban area with pipebands and flags flying! It worked in 2009 and could do so again in 2014. But instead they want us to wander round the highlands and islands and get back to our roots in our clan lands. It can't happen at Bannockburn during the three day celebrations - there aren't the facilities. This is not what the public want.

Regards

Chas

Its not what the public want? Really? It, I think, depends on which public are you meaning? The visiting public? Or the resident public?

Now I cannot speak for Scotland, but I can tell you what I see and hear. If we just go back to 2009 for a wee while and let us not get mired in the detail, but suffice to say that much of Scotland were distinctly underwhelmed by the whole Homecoming event from start to finish and make no mistake those antics have left a lasting legacy of suspicion and lack of enthusiasm for any more of it.

Well of course there is a huge commercial side to all this and that should not be forgotten, but it would be unwise to forget the local public in all this and two of the major criticisms of 2009 from the locals was that only Edinburgh was involved and the whole event was hi-jacked by those outwith Scotland right from the outset. So, I suppose this time round the powers that be are at least trying to be more inclusive.

I was listening to a very enlightening discussion yesterday, between a group of Scottish School leavers who were debating properly at school and if I might say so, very well, "Scotland and its future after 2014, regardless of the referendum result". Very interesting stuff! Now I am not going into detail on that subject, but one speaker spoke very eloquently about Scotland becoming an outpost of Walt Disney and how demeaning for Scotland the tourist industry had become and how that must change. Hummm, careful chaps when demanding things of Scotland, times may be a changing in more ways than one!

[cessna152towser]

it would be unwise to forget the local public in all this and two of the major criticisms of 2009 from the locals was that only Edinburgh was involved and the whole event was hi-jacked by those outwith Scotland right from the outset.

So true.
Feelings are still raw among many Scots over the 2009 Edinburgh gathering fiasco.
For example the refusal by the organiser to allow Scottish based clan and family societies to host our visitors and instead so-called clan tents were imposed, staffed by overseas groups.
A hefty charge was levied on people who wanted to participate in the clan march along public streets. I have never yet paid for the privilege of taking part in a clan march, either in Scotland or USA. As some of you may recall I did my own kilted march along the Edinburgh route at no cost on a different day.
Despite the rip off prices the show was very poor compared to some of Scotland's regular highland games such as Aboyne and North Berwick for example, and worse still, the hard working Scottish based performers and the tradesmen who set it all up were never paid because the organiser liquidated the gathering company.
I could go on but there is no point in re-hashing old sores.
The last so-called "clan gathering" in 2009 left such a bad taste that few Scots would welcome another. Time is a great healer so it could happen again but there needs to be the will in Scotland to make it happen and it needs to be organised by the Scots Clans.

[Phil]

Its not what the public want? Really? It, I think, depends on which public are you meaning? The visiting public? Or the resident public?
Well of course there is a huge commercial side to all this and that should not be forgotten, but it would be unwise to forget the local public in all this and two of the major criticisms of 2009 from the locals was that only Edinburgh was involved and the whole event was hi-jacked by those outwith Scotland right from the outset.!

There were other events going on around Scotland that year, Jock, but I suppose the clan march etc. in Edinburgh was the one that caught the imagination here (for obvious kilt-related reasons). I enjoyed a day out in Holyrood Park but mainly because it was handy for me in Edinburgh and also the price of the tickets dropped nearer the time. I don't think I would have bothered travelling any distance for it, however, so understand your particular viewpoint and lack of enthusiasm. The whole thing was really just a tourist event anyway as few Scots would be inclined to spend good money just to walk up the Royal Mile in a kilt, especially if they can do it any day of the week anyway!
As to the next instalment in 2014. Well it does coincide with a number of other events, as you say, so maybe they will try to get the locals more fired up this time.
By the way I found this interesting article - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William...h_Lord_Sempill

[Nile]

Time is a great healer so it could happen again but there needs to be the will in Scotland to make it happen and it needs to be organised by the Scots Clans.

Alex, I have to agree with what you say there. There is no room for demands or 'what should be done' from those of us non-Scotts (Scottish decent or not).
My wife and I are planning to visit Scotland for the Bannockburn celebration in 2014 but, we will come humbly and with respect to our friends who live there, much as we would expect from visitors to our area.
Events like this are intended for everyone who is interested in their heritage, not for our specific personal enrichment.
It seems that our society (esp. here in the USA) is caught up in the "I want it all, I want it my way and I want it now?" approach with little patience or understanding for others. You might say the "me" instead of the "us" mentality.
Nile