Homecoming Scotland 2009

[Nervous Jock]

Ha Ha Veterans.

Don't know the format yet but don't think its strictly tied into UK Vets only. I'll post details as and when I have them

[rodandy]

I heard about the Gathering at the Highland Games in San Diego last year. It sounded like a great time, so I contacted a travel agent in the Kansas City area who was recommended to me by one of my customers. She put together a trip to Scotland for him this last summer and he was quite happy with her services. She grew up in Scotland and gets back there frequently, so she is up to date on what it takes to make a successful trip.

Her take on The Gathering was that it was designed to separate the tourists from their money and that all of the prices would be high. She suggested a trip either in May or September, the "shoulder seasons" when there would be fewer crowds and prices would be more reasonable.

Alas, it doesn't look like it will happen this year, perhaps in 2010.

[cessna152towser]

if you've no a chief are ye really clan legitimate?

It is what is known in Scots law as an armigerous clan. One of several Scots clans where the official clan organisation died out in Scotland but a clan society was later established in Canada or the USA with the approval of the Lord Lyon of Scotland to represent the family name worldwide. There is no mechanism in Scots law to prevent other groups misrepresenting themselves as the recognised clan organisation for such clans. So a breakaway group can set themselves up as purporting to represent the clan, at the expense of the established clan society, though from the clansman's point of view this constitutes a heinous act of treachery. As things stand at present, I intend to boycott the Saturday Parade and Pageant as the whole affair, from my point of view, appears to be a commercial gimmick, with little respect for clan traditions. I certainly feel my family has been excluded, despite the alleged assurances from this breakaway group that they will welcome all family members to their tent. I still plan to attend the games in Holyrood Park on the Sunday so that I can meet up with those of you who are taking part. I am embarrassed that some of our Canadian and USA members of x-marks have been induced to part with their hard earned money to attend this overpriced and artificial event when they could see the real Scotland for much less money at any other time during the year. I am also embarrassed that members of my own clan society who wanted to be part of the gathering were made to feel so unwelcome by the organisers that they are now planning to visit Ireland instead.

[Phil]

Interesting article in today's Edinburgh Evening News - http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/to...ng-.5035934.jp

[Jock Scot]

That is interesting,Phil. Assuming that there are about five million people living in Scotland and according to the figure, 2.1 million, quoted in the article as Scots people seeing the advertising. I must then, be one of the 2.9 million Scots that has not seen anything. Not good.

[Jock Scot]

Beowolf67.

Make no mistake your dollars and every one else's money is and has been very welcome to our economy well,since, Victorian times and long may it remain so. We would not enjoy Scotland without the tourist industry and the income that it generates.

My beef on this present issue is that the Scots seem to have been ignored here whilst "our" money is being spent on our behalf to advertise this particular event around the world. Now delving into the facts with little knowledge is a dangerous thing to do,but at least in the highlands we have been, it seems, kept in the dark. In fact there are figures that show that well over 50% of the Scottish people are estimated not to know about this event and again,it seems, that the tourist industry here, is happy with this state of affairs ,well I am not. Alright its you visitors that bring in the fresh money into our country and long may it continue ,but it does make us in Scotland look decidedly foolish to not know what is going on!Actually I don't even know when the event is taking place. Assuming this event is taking place in July and it rains more than a bit, the salmon fishing is(I hope) very good.

[shawhighlander]

Halo Gang,
I just received a reply from Lucy-Rose Walker, whom I met along with Lord Sempill. She replied regarding advertising to my fellow Scotsmen:

"Great to hear from you Jonathan! We will be doing lots of marketing all over the country in the next few months so they will soon be sick of hearing about it! Thanks"
Lucy-Rose

Looks as though they haven't forgotten about you after all! My guess is that from the beginning this has been a monumental event with its focus to educate and welcome folks from abroad, who might never have made the trek otherwise. It is my opinion, that if we see this as a grand opportunity, that we may be able to seriously bless those who have a true passion for the place in which you live day to day

[beowulf67]

Jock,
It really is a shame that this isn't being promoted more in Scotland. I also understand their desire to get people from all over the world to come but I can't imagine why there would be no promotion of it in the host country.
It is taking place in July, 25th and 26th to be exact. The games themselves are in Holyrood park with the parade up the Royal Mile and then something at the Castle.

The Inverness highland games are supposed to be the weekend before the Gathering, and I'll be in town for those and am looking forward to them as well. They are having the Masters world championships there and the Heavy World championships in Edinburgh.

[Jock Scot]

Jock,
It really is a shame that this isn't being promoted more in Scotland. I also understand their desire to get people from all over the world to come but I can't imagine why there would be no promotion of it in the host country.
It is taking place in July, 25th and 26th to be exact. The games themselves are in Holyrood park with the parade up the Royal Mile and then something at the Castle.

The Inverness highland games are supposed to be the weekend before the Gathering, and I'll be in town for those and am looking forward to them as well. They are having the Masters world championships there and the Heavy World championships in Edinburgh.

Thank you for that. One can only wonder why this information has to be found some two thousand miles away from where its going to happen! Ho hum.

[Jock Scot]

Let's hope so! I am not surprised. The British way of doing things is too leave things to the last few days.I think I predicted this would happen on a thread somewhere here on this website.