HIGHLAND GATHERING:
Inverness, Sat 21st July 2007.
Ruari, President, and Anne, with Rory, Vice-President and Charlotte, attended the Inverness High-land Games on 21st July 2007. On the Friday night we met up with Ian and Colleen MacLeod from Orkney. Ian’s father was from Inverkirkgaig, Assynt.
Saturday was overcast and damp but we had two tables, covered with publications and clan merch-andise, inside a large tent with a dozen other clans. There was a steady flow of visitors, including Maureen, MacDuff; Anne, Inverness; John, Caol, Fort William; Ian Clashmore, Stoer; Catherine, Inverness; Joni, Inverness and Donnie, Ardesier. Kenneth JBS, Inverness. Donnie and Kenneth are keen to set up an Inverness Branch of the Clan Society. Duncan MacLure was over from Grimsay, North Uist. Raquel Del Pozo-Barnett, is a MacAskill living in Seville, Spain.
The most delightful group was the family of Jens Caspar from Stuttgart. The family had been touring in Harris and then had crossed to Skye to visit Dun-vegan Castle. Young Henry, aged six, was attracted to Ruari’s illustrated book Building St Clements Church Rodel, and despite other things being offered to him, was determined on the book. Jens emailed later that Henry believed the book was about a great Scottish knight and took it to bed with him every evening. Jens and his family have now joined the Clan MacLeod Society of Germany.
There was also a chance to meet Jamie, Lord Sempill, who is the director of The Gathering in 2009 to speak about arrangements. Ruari had trained as a soldier with Jamie’s brother Ian.
RHM Oct 2007
Hugh MacLeod of MacLeod, 30th Chief of Clan MacLeod.
Memorial Services for the late Chief John