HOMECOMING SCOTLAND 2009
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A MARCH down the Royal Mile was one of the highlights of The Gathering. Over 8,000 clansfolk marched from the Palace of Holyroodhouse up the Royal Mile to Edinburgh Castle. They were cheered on by 20,000 spectators along the medieval street.
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CLAN CHIEFS gathered outside the Scottish Parliament building in Edinburgh for the historic Clan Convention. The convention was attended by over 100 Scottish Clan Chiefs and clan dignitaries from around the world.
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FOLLOWING his visit to Scotland, Hamish Burgess made a stop in Vancouver. He is shown above (far right) with Vancouver-based Jennifer MacKay Fahrni and local singer/songwriter Tim Readman.
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"Never have so many chiefs been in one room,
without swords and shields, gathered in peace"
Hamish Burgess, owner of business and cultural organization Maui Celtic based in Maui, Hawaii, recently attended 'The Gathering' in Edinburgh, Scotland.
This was the centerpiece of Homecoming Scotland 2009, a year-long series of events aimed at bringing folks of Scottish heritage back to their homeland in the year of national poet Robert Burns' 250th birthday anniversary.
Hamish was a featured guest on Liz Clark's show Travels with your Auntie on Celtic Music Radio Scotland, and broadcasting icon Archie Fisher's Travelling Folk show on BBC Radio Scotland, both in Glasgow.
As Scottish ambassador for the Princess Ka'iulani Project (www.thekaiulaniproject.com), run by Jennifer MacKay Fahrni of Vancouver, Hamish also took the story of Hawaii's most beloved Hawaii/Scot back to her father's homeland.
While representing Scots of Hawaii, he reported on events and interviewed traditional musicians which will be heard on his own Celtic music radio show on Mana'o Radio 91.5 FM Maui, 8-10 AM Sundays Hawaii Time (11 AM to 1 PM PST online at www.manaoradio.com).
Clan Convention
On July 24 Hamish attended the first Clan Convention in recorded history at the Scottish Parliament building in Edinburgh. Over 100 Scottish Clan Chiefs and clan dignitaries from around the world discussed the role of the clans in the modern world. From a homeland population of five million, the Scottish diaspora worldwide is now 30-40 million people.
While welcoming the Chiefs, the Earl of Caithness (Chief of Clan Sinclair) stated "never have so many chiefs been in one room, without swords and shields, gathered in peace."
Dr. Jim Hunter further showed the significance of the day's event, saying that the last time the clans gathered like this was in 1745, when the Highland army captured Edinburgh!
David Sellar, Lord Lyon King of Arms, spoke about the Scottish clan and family, pointing out that the word 'clan' comes from the Gaelic 'clann' meaning 'children', and defined it as a "social and political kin-based unit."
Donald McLaren of McLaren (Chief of the Clan McLaren), gave an entertaining and passionate speech on behalf of the Chiefs, stating "titles are not to honour men, the man or woman is to honour the title."
The Gathering
On July 25-26, Holyrood Park in Edinburgh saw the biggest clan gathering, Highland Games, and Scottish music festival in memory.
Over 47,000 people from over 40 countries, enjoyed the two music stages, bagpiping and dancing, heavy athletics, and visiting the Clan Village of 125 clan tents.
International pipe bands included the Canadian Massed Pipes and Drums. There were talks on genealogy, history and storytelling, Scottish arts and crafts, the wonders of Scotland's larder, and of course local ale and a wee dram of whisky was always close at hand.
There were talks by authors including Diana Gabaldon (The Outlander series), and Ian Hamilton (The Stone of Destiny - now a joint Canadian/Scottish feature film), and Robert Burns impersonator Christopher Tait was never far away.
Saturday evening marked the highlight of the event which was the Clan Parade of 8,000 clansfolk from the Palace of Holyroodhouse, up the Royal Mile to Edinburgh Castle Esplanade.
Hamish managed to photograph the parade, and greeted several Hawaiian Scots from Maui and Oahu marching with their clans.
Hamish joined his own Douglas clan for the memorable long walk up the medieval street, with 20,000 spectators cheering them on.
The clans filled the courtyard of the ancient imposing castle which was the stage for the world premier of the musical pageant Aisling's Children: Tales of the Homecoming, which told the history of Scotland with words, music and dance, through the eyes of a mother and six generations of her descendants.
The weekend also featured Highland dancing and piping competitions, a 'Pipe Idol' contest for under 25s, a traditional hill race up Arthur's Seat, World Tug-of-War Champions, and the World Highland Games Heavy Events Championship.
Great Scottish music ranged from solo singer Dougie MacLean, to traditional duos The Cast, and Rachel Newton and Lillias Kinsman Blake, groups Breabach and Daimh (both with Canadian members), the Julie Fowlis Band, the Battlefield Band, Capercaillie, Highland Heartbeat, and even bagpipe rock with the Red Hot Chilli Pipers! What a line up!
Truly a "once in a lifetime" Scottish experience, the full tartan-clad story with pictures is available at www.mauiceltic.com.
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