Edinburgh gathering - 2009

**Mael Coluim** · 9th July 09, 08:31 PM

At the moment we have three meet ups scheduled.
The first is a Kilt Night at the Bow Bar on FRI 7/24 at 7 PM
The other two meet ups at Holyrood Park
SAT 7/25 2 PM at the TALISKER® TASTE EXPERIENCE tent
SUN 7/26 4:30 PM at the Main Stage of the Music tent. According to the map there is a place for food and drink next to it.

I am suggesting we have all three to give the most opportunity to meet one another realizing we all have different schedules. These suggestions can be tweaked with your input.

After the Saturday evening Pageant festivities are over in would be nice to meet up for a wee night cap. As the Pageant ends at the Castle, would the Castle Bar be an appropriate place to meet? [Phil, any guidance on this?]
The Castle Bar
6 Johnston Terrace
Good bit of work gone into this traditional pub with friendly service and well kept beer. Nestles directly under the castle opposite The Hub. Refurbished in recent years and has outside tables at the back on Victoria Terrace offering a smashing view over the rooftops and down to the Grassmarket.
Serves food throughout the day.

What say, ye?

**Paul** · 10th July 09, 01:12 AM

Great - however I couldnt meet on sunday night and am unsure about my arrangements for friday.
Would we be given a phone number of anyone - just incase we get lost, are going to be a bit late or need to cancel?

**cessna152towser** · 10th July 09, 01:51 AM

SUN 7/26 4:30 PM at the Main Stage of the Music tent. According to the map there is a place for food and drink next to it.

Excellent, I'll see you there on the Sunday folks, will be wearing my Cunningham kilt, looking forward to meeting you all.

**Mael Coluim** · 10th July 09, 04:39 AM

Originally Posted by Paul.

Great - however I couldnt meet on sunday night and am unsure about my arrangements for friday.
Would we be given a phone number of anyone - just incase we get lost, are going to be a bit late or need to cancel?

I'll suggest those with their Cell phones share the number among one another by PM. I personally will be leaving home without it.

**Paul** · 10th July 09, 04:42 AM

Originally Posted by Mael Coluim

I'll suggest those with their Cell phones share the number among one another by PM. I personally will be leaving home without it.

Ok that's fine.
I'll take a note of the times etc. and all should be ok. It's just incase something doesnt go to plan and we need to let people know if theres changes. Should all be ok though... Im just over-paranoid!

**beowulf67** · 10th July 09, 07:36 AM

I hope you are doing well. I was looking forward to meeting you after all the great information you've given me, which I know will help make this a wonderful trip.
I guess I'll just have to come back to Scotland won't I?

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Well I suppose that I had not intended to go to the "homecoming" thing, but I was hoping to to bump into one or two of you when you ventured further North. Sadly that is not to be, so may I wish you all welcome to Scotland and HAVE FUN!

**Mael Coluim** · 11th July 09, 07:16 AM

Well, Rabble we are two weeks out for The Gathering Weekend! I will be crossing the pond a week from tomorrow. I know several Colonials will be leaving next week too. So, I believe we need to set these plans in stone.

I've re-thought the after-hours meet up at the Castle Bar with an earlier start up time. Some of us will be in marching/watching the Parade and then the Pageant which ends at 2300. That shouldn't preclude others who aren’t attending these activities for a earlier kilt night. Those who are participating in them can just join in later.

I am posting our Kilt Nights and Meet Ups on the Kilt Night forum. I'll be PM all of you who are attending to post on the thread you plan to attend any of these. As I did on this thread I'll summarize who will be attending the various meetings.

Also, I'll ask those of you who have a Clan affiliation and will be hanging out at your Clan tent to post that so we know where we might find you.

I’m planning to have a supply of dandelions at the MacCallum Malcolm Clan Society tent where you can drop by and claim one. That will be an easy way to recognize one another. If I’m not there just tell them you are with XMarks and would like a dandelion that Ern Malcolm has left for you.

If you'll be carrying a cell phone state that so others with phones can PM each other to get the numbers.

Whew!

**cessna152towser** · 13th July 09, 03:39 AM

http://news.scotsman.com/opinion/San...ost.5412867.jp
Interesting editorial opinion which sums up what many of us here in Scotland think about the Edinburgh Gathering.

**Mael Coluim** · 13th July 09, 04:38 AM

Quote from the Scotsman, OP.

“Naturally, I hope that Homecoming Scotland is a success, that tourists who otherwise would not bother to visit do come, have a wonderful time and leave promising to return with friends, families and anyone else they can round up.”

I would not be coming to Scotland this summer, if it was not for The Gathering. I heard Lord Jamie Sempill speak on it at our Clan Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Grandfather’s Mountain Highland Games in 2007.

This will be my fourth trip to Caledonia and my first to my maternal ancestral Donnachaidh lands. There I will be participating in their AGM and meeting the Chief.

It will be the first time the MacCallum Malcolm Clan Society will have it’s AGM in Scotland. Yes, it is a North American” creation. For a small society we have 60 members coming to the events. Quite a few Canadians and New Zealand members are coming. We will be meeting in Poltalloch with our Chief Robin Malcolm and visiting Duntrune Castle.

I will be meeting several of my fellow XMarkers at Edinburgh. Red Shanks will be showing me areas of the Argyll not visited before. Ancienne Alliance was invited me to visit his home in the French Alps.

Needless to say, this guy is excited about his trip and appreciates the opportunity that the many have given much effort to put together. I hope it will be a great financial success which will lead to future events.

**AcuteEnigma** · 13th July 09, 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by cessna152towser

http://news.scotsman.com/opinion/San...ost.5412867.jp
Interesting editorial opinion which sums up what many of us here in Scotland think about the Edinburgh Gathering.

Yikes! Who pissed in her oatmeal???

Still, any advertising is good advertising. Thank you Sandra for the advertising boost and please keep your sourness away from the festivities.
People who are determined to not have fun generally succeed.