On behalf of the whole team, we would like to thank all of you who joined The Gathering 2009.

The weekend’s celebrations in Holyrood Park united more than 47,000 people from at least 40 countries around the world, with an additional 20,000 lining the Royal Mile to watch 8,000 people marching with their clan and the pipes and drums on Saturday evening.

The weekend exceeded our wildest expectations. The ambience and great sense of occasion was created by the people who joined us for this celebration of Scotland’s culture, clans and families. This was a truly international gathering – thank you for being a part of history!

Lord Sempill and Jenny Gilmour,

Directors of The Gathering 2009

The winners from the weekend events are:

Deuchars World Highland Games Heavy Events:

The 2009 Deuchars World Highland Games Heavy Events Champion is Aaron Neighbour from Australia (21 points). Runner-up was the 2008 Champion Sean Betz from the USA (24), while his fellow countryman Larry Brock was third (27.5).

The Gathering International Championship (Highland Dancing)

The Gathering International Champion is David Wilton from Forfar.

Invitational and Pipe Idol Competitions:

The winner of the solo piping competition was Stuart Liddell while Cameron Drummond won Pipe Idol.

Hill Race

There were 85 starters for the 7km / 480m height race (5 mile/1250ft). Murray Strain was the first man home in a time of 33 minutes 27 seconds with Sue Ridley the first women home in 37 minutes and 40 seconds. The first veteran was Bruce Smith in 35’ 54” (4^th place overall) and first super veteran was Gordon Pryde in 39’ 33” (15^th place). The first overseas visitor was Robert Mackay from Canada in a time of 40’ 26” (18^th place).

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