Events
The Highland Games and Scottish Festival will be open from 9am until 6pm on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th July.
Programme for Highland Games and Scottish Festival
Events timings and performances are subject to change please check the website on a regular basis.
EVENTS ON SATURDAY 25 JULY
MAIN ARENA
10.00 Opening Ceremony with Atholl Highlanders, Lonach Highlanders and pipe bands
- Deuchars World Highland Games Heavy Athletics Championship:
Putting the Stone (16-lb)
Throwing the weight for distance (56lb)
Throwing the Hammer (16 - lb)
Tossing the Caber
- Strong man events:
The farmers walk
The pole push
Stones of strength
- The Big Pull with Premier Inn: tug o' war in aid of Anthony Nolan Trust - registration forms available from the Anthony Nolan Trust website
- Children's Races
- Pipe bands:
Caledonian Pipe Band
Canadian Massed Pipes and Drums (Canada)
Clan Hay Pipe Band (Belgium)
Hawick Scout Pipe Band
Red Rose of Lochbuie Pipe Band (Netherlands)
MAIN STAGE
| 11.00 - 12.00 | Breabach |
| 12.30 - 13.30 | Battlefield Band |
| 14.00 - 15.00 | Julie Fowlis |
| 17.00 - 18.00 | Red Hot Chilli Pipers |
BÒRD NA GÀIDHLIG ACOUSTIC MUSIC TENT
| 11.15 - 12.05 | The Cast (Mairi Campbell and Dave Francis) |
| 12.30 - 13.00 | Rachel Sermanni |
| 13.20 - 14.10 | Daimh |
| 14.40 - 15.20 | Rachel Newton & Lillias Kinsman Blake |
| 15.50 - 16.40 | Roddy Hart |
The Solo Piping Competition will take place in this tent on Sunday
STAGE TWO
- Scottish Country Dance Association demonstrations, performances with audience participation, workshops and classes on throughout the day.
- Christopher Tait: Burns impersonator
- Piping exhibition
HIGHLAND DANCING
- Morning: primary, beginner and novice sections, with medal ceremony
- Afternoon: intermediate, pre-national and pre-championships, with medal ceremony
SCOTLAND LIVES AUDITORIUM
| 09.00 - 09.45 | Elizabeth Roads MVO, Lyon Clerk and Keeper of the Records: "The Development of Scottish Heraldry" |
| 11.00 - 11.45 | ScotlandsPeople, Expert panel chaired by Keeper of the Records of Scotland, George MacKenzie, with Q&A session: "Tracing your Scottish Ancestors - Meet the Experts". |
| 12.00 - 13.00 | Diana Gabaldon: author of the Outlander series |
| 13.15 - 14.00 | Roderick Graham: An Accidental Tragedy: The Life of Mary, Queen of Scots |
| 14.15 - 15.15 | Charles MacLean: Charles MacLean's Whiskypedia |
| 15.30 - 16.30 | Alistair Moffat: The Reivers |
| 16.45 - 17.45 | Bennett Greenspan and Max Blankfeld, Family Tree DNA: "Genetic Genealogy - The DNA of the Scots" |
STORY TELLING
| 09.30 - 10.15 | Marie Louise Cochrane |
| 10.30 - 11.30 | Linda Strachan and Sally J Collins: Hamish McHaggis |
| 11.45 - 12.45 | Ron Fairweather |
| 13.00 - 14.00 | Fergus McNicol |
| 14.15 - 15.15 | Linda Strachan and Sally J Collins: Hamish McHaggis |
| 15.30 - 16.30 | Marie Louise Cochrane |
| 16.45 - 17.45 | Ron Fairweather |
TALISKER® TASTE EXPERIENCE
Whisky tastings with commemorative nosing glasses by Glencairn Crystal, and Royal Mile Whiskies retail area. Master classes:
- Talisker
- Charles MacLean and Dave Broom: Diageo's Single Malt Whisky Flavour Map
- Classic Malts' Special Releases
EVENTS ON SUNDAY 26 JULY
MAIN ARENA
10.30 The Installation of Finlaggan Pursuivant
- Deuchars World Highland Games Heavy Events Championship:
Former Official Champions parade
Putting the stone Braemar style
Throwing the weight for distance (28lb)
Throwing The Hammer (16lb)
Throwing the 56lb weight for height
Caber tossing demonstration
World Championship Presentation Ceremony
- Strong man events:
The farmers walk
Stones of strength
- The Big Pull with Premier Inn: tug o' war in aid of Anthony Nolan Trust
- Children's Races
- Hill Race award ceremony
- Pipe bands:
Rhine Power Pipe Band (Germany)
Lothian & Borders Police Pipe Band
Hawick Scout Pipe Band
House of Edgar Shotts and Dykehead Pipe Band
Caledonian Pipe Band
Canadian Massed Pipes and Drums (Canada)
Clan Hay Pipe Band (Belgium)
Hawick Scout Pipe Band
MAIN STAGE
| 11.00 - 12.00 | Red Hot Chilli Pipers |
| 12.30 - 13.30 | Dougie McLean |
| 14.00 - 15.00 | Capercaillie |
| 15.30 - 16.30 | Battlefield Band |
BÒRD NA GÀIDHLIG ACOUSTIC MUSIC TENT
- The Gathering 2009 - Masters solo piping competition
STAGE TWO
- Scottish Country Dance Association: demonstrations, performances with audience participation, workshops and classes on throughout the day.
- Pipe Idol competition for eight competitors aged under 18
HIGHLAND DANCING STAGE
- Morning: premier national section, with medal ceremony
- Afternoon: The Gathering 2009 Championship section, with medal ceremony
HILL RACE
- Five-kilometre course around Arthur's Seat; registration forms from www.thegathering2009.com
SCOTLAND LIVES AUDITORIUM
| 09.15 - 10.00 | Bill Lawson: Talk on emigration from Outer Hebrides, areas to which islanders went, tracing Hebridean roots |
| 10.15 - 11.00 | ScotlandsPeople: "Tracing your Scottish Ancestors - Meet the Experts". Expert panel chaired by Keeper of the Records of Scotland, George MacKenzie, with Q&A session |
| 11.15 - 12.15 | Ian Hamilton: Author, Stone of Destiny |
| 12.30 - 13.15 | Elizabeth Roads MVO, Lyon Clerk and Keeper of the Records: Talk on "Heraldry and Scottish Families" |
| 13.30 - 14.15 | Andy Hall: Photographer, Touched by Robert Burns |
| 14.30 - 15.30 | Diana Gabaldon: Author of the Outlander series |
| 15.45 - 16.30 | Bennett Greenspan and Max Blankfeld, Family Tree DNA: "Genetic Genealogy - The DNA of the Scots" |
| 16.45 - 17.45 | Alexander McCall Smith: Author, No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Scotland Street series, The Comfort of Saturdays, and Corduroy Mansions. |
STORY TELLING
| 09.30 - 10.00 | Fergus McNicol |
| 10.30 - 11.30 | Linda Strachan and Sally J Collins: Hamish McHaggis |
| 11.45 - 12.45 | Marie Louise Cochrane |
| 13.00 - 14.00 | Ron Fairweather |
| 14.15 - 15.15 | Fergus McNicol |
| 15.30 - 16.30 | Linda Strachan and Sally J Collins: Hamish McHaggis |
| 16.45 - 17.45 | Stories for Adults - Jess Smith: Sookin' Berries and Sheila Stewart MBE: "Pilgrims of The Mist" stories of Scotland's travelling people |
TALISKER® TASTE EXPERIENCE
Whisky tastings with commemorative nosing glasses by Glencairn Crystal, and Royal Mile Whiskies retail area. Master classes:
- Talisker
- Charles MacLean and Dave Broom: Diageo's Single Malt Whisky Flavour Map
- Classic Malts' Special Releases
The entrance for over 18s to the tasting area costs £5 which includes a commemorative nosing glass from Glencairn Crystal. Just turn up and pay at the entrance to The Talisker TM Taste Experience.
SATURDAY 25 and SUNDAY 26 JULY
CLAN VILLAGE
There will be 125 clans and family societies in the Clan Village. Visitors can meet 85 clan chiefs, talk to clan representatives to find out about clan activities and membership, with facilities to help visitors find out which clans they may have links with.
CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES
There will be a mobile climbing tower, mini Highland games and races for children, storytelling, and interactive family fun with Scotland's largest walkover jigsaw map and a puppet show. Children can meet the famous storybook character, Hamish McHaggis, who is the children's mascot of The Gathering 2009.
A FLAVOUR OF SCOTLAND
The food fair will have 23 stalls with an array of food to buy direct from the producers. There will be several mobile units offering Deuchars IPA, soft drinks, spirits, wine, as well as an array of cuisine and an eating area as well as the Walkers and Brodies Tea Pavilion.
There will also be a chance to purchase high-quality arts and crafts, textiles and Highland dress accessories from 29 different stalls.
SCOTLAND LIVES
Scotland Lives is a large genealogy area, housing a large auditorium and exhibition area. Visitors can find out more about their ancestry through ScotlandsPeople whose experts will be offering advice on how to access one of the largest online sources of Scottish genealogical information and trace their family tree. The Scottish Genealogy Society and Family Tree DNA will also be present.
There will be an opportunity to find out more about The Heraldry Society of Scotland and the Scottish Armigers Society. Other exhibitors include Scottish Antiquaries, Scottish Tartans Authority, and Dundee University, and a retail area with fiction and non-fiction titles from Scottish authors published by Birlinn Books.
EXPERIENCE SCOTLAND
The Bòrd na Gàidhlig will showcase Gaelic life and culture, The Royal Regiment of Scotland will exhibit "The Golden Thread", while Na Fir Dileas will present "A walk in the life of a modern-day Jacobite".
Visitors can discover the hidden heritage on Scotland's national forest estate with Forest Heritage Scotland and Mapland Scotland, Scotland's largest walkover jigsaw map. Natural Scotland will be raising awareness of the positive impact small changes can have on Scotland's environment, including a puppet show.
There is also a chance to learn more about the work of the National Trust for Scotland and Historic Scotland. Other exhibitors include the Anthony Nolan Trust, panalba.com, Scottish Tour Guides Association, and Trees 4 Scotland which is planting the Teaghlach Wood in Perthshire to commemorate The Gathering 2009.
Outside Holyrood Park
Clan Parade and Pageant
The Clan Parade will take place on the evening of Saturday 25th July starting from Holyrood and travelling up the Royal Mile to the Castle for the Clan Pageant.
To take part in this unique event you will need to purchase The Gathering 2009 Passport. To find out how to purchase a passport please click How to Purchase a Passport.
Places are limited at this event and it is recommended that you purchase your Passport prior to the event to avoid disappointment. Entrance to the Highland Games and Scottish Festival weekend is included with your Passport.
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