Collapse of Lord Semple's Gathering Company

[Galician]

...Lord Semple played his game well, however, by drawing in societies from countries where individual entrepreneurship is more highly prized than it is in Scotland...

...As Paul said, these things in Scotland are best done by government or dedicated groups of not-for-profit individuals so that cost overruns are automatically covered by the taxpayers or by fund-raising efforts.

While nicely stated, this attitude is guaranteed to raise the hackles of significant--and vocal--elements of American society. There are those who cannot imagine that having an event publicly run would not automatically lead to the financial chaos which occured here. The private sector is believed to be always far more efficient than the public. You betcha!

[ThistleDown]

While nicely stated, this attitude is guaranteed to raise the hackles of significant--and vocal--elements of American society. There are those who cannot imagine that having an event publicly run would not automatically lead to the financial chaos which occured here. The private sector is believed to be always far more efficient than the public. You betcha!

Yes, perhaps, but the 2009 Gathering company is a private enterprise incorporated in Scotland for the express purpose of producing a profit from an event held in Scotland.

[McClef]

It was not the first private sector mess up in the world though...

Ticket prices were far too high and put many off to begin with.

[Jock Scot]

Yes, perhaps, but the 2009 Gathering company is a private enterprise incorporated in Scotland for the express purpose of producing a profit from an event held in Scotland.

It is a shame that the locals were by in large forgotten and maybe, just maybe, that might have turned the event into a profit making enterprise had they been made welcome.Too late now of course, but lessons will I am sure have been learned by many people. However, I do think that we should be careful in laying blame, when ALL the facts are not known to us.

[Chas]

It is a shame that the locals were by in large forgotten and maybe, just maybe, that might have turned the event into a profit making enterprise had they been made welcome.Too late now of course, but lessons will I am sure have been learned by many people. However, I do think that we should be careful in laying blame, when ALL the facts are not known to us.

I think you are probably quite right Jock, but I am reminded of the words of Her Majesty this last year -

"And did nobody see this coming?"

Regards

Chas