One of the great benefits of The Gathering 2009 is to have the majority of chiefs and senior Clan figures all in Edinburgh at the same time.

This has allowed us to convene the first ever Clan Convention, which will be held on Friday July 24^th at a venue of Historic significance, yet to be confirmed.

The Convention will have genuine historical relevance especially when one considers the dramatic changes in today's communication technology, which has brought the International Clan system much closer together.

The purpose is simple; to discuss the Role of the Clan in the 21^st Century. Due to limited capacity only chiefs, clan commanders and leading clan representatives will be invited to attend. This will probably amount to around 300 people.

During 2008, questionnaires will be sent out to clan associations requesting them to nominate issues that they will feel would be appropriate to the convention theme of the role of the Clan in the 21^st Century.

Depending on the venue there may well be additional spaces, and a ballot will be run in late 2008 to give others the chance to attend.

On Saturday 25^th July 2009 Inverclyde are hosting the European Pipe Band Championships, which will attract most of Scotland's competitive pipe bands. However, we are fortunate that the event finishes on the same day, and that we will have the services of the leading bands for the Clan Parade and the second day of The Gathering on Sunday July 26^th.

If your pipe band would like to be involved in The Gathering 2009, please visit the pipers page in 'Take Part' . 

Please note that the Gathering 2009 will not be holding a Pipe Band Competition, but will instead focus on a competition for individual pipers. This is likely to be managed by the National Piping Centre. More details to follow.

No Highland Games would be complete without the sound of the Pipes, but as you know there is a lot more to our musical heritage than the Pipes.

The Gathering aims to provide a full musical programme. There will be two major stages, each providing a wide selection of musical talent.

Over the two days you will be able to hear the dulcet tones of the Clasarch, the distinctive beat of the Bodhram , the driving force of the fiddle and the contemporary beat of Celtic Crossover.

You know, of course, that these musical traditions are the roots of American bluegrass, and one of the major sources of country and western music, which is still by far the most popular radio format in America.

With such a rich musical heritage and some well known performers rest assured that you won't be disappointed.

So, don't just come to listen! Come and participate - Start Now - try practising a few verses in the shower! 

We intend to give all our visitors the opportunity to join us in a "taste extravaganza".

Using our finest produce and the skills of some of our leading chefs, we will be offering a range of dishes guaranteed to appeal to everyone's palate, whether a light snack or a wholesome dish. More importantly, there will be somewhere to sit and enjoy the occasion. Also, there will be opportunities to learn useful tips from the experts, pick up recipes, and buy direct from the producer.

Let's not forget that The Gathering 2009 is a celebration of our unique traditions and there can be no better way to enjoy them than sharing some of our finest fare in the company of friends.

For all you runners out there we will be having a hill race within the park on Sunday 26th July. The event will start in the Highland Games area and will take in parts of Arthur's Seat and will finish back up in the park.
The exact route is yet to be decided but will be posted on the website in due course.

There is likely be two categories, one for those competitive runners and another for those looking to do a kilted run. Registrations will be taken online from early 2009 but competitors can sign up on the day, although do be warned there will be a maximum number of runners in each race so it is best to book early.

Registration forms for both events will be posted in early 2009

The Gathering 2009 will be organising an inter-schools relay competition which will involve primary schools throughout Edinburgh. We will be working with the City of Edinburgh Council to facilitate this and the heats will take place in early 2009 culminating in a grand final at The Gathering 2009.

*The Clan Pageant is a unique 1-day event. It is separate from the Edinburgh Tattoo which in 2009 takes place from 7-29th August (see www.edinburgh-tattoo.co.uk)

John Knox once derogatorily referred to one of Lord Sempill's ancestors as "the dancer". He much disapproved of the habit, and probably would have banned it if he could. Fortunately, this great tradition is alive and well, and practised all over the world. The actual disciplines and dance routines are quite recent innovations, but their origins can be traced back to Malcolm Canmore, who reigned in the 11th century.

Regardless of the various interpretations, it is beyond doubt that dexterity was an essential attribute of the successful warrior, and the early references to the Sword Dance and the Highland Fling show this to be the case. What is much more fascinating is that what was once strictly a male preserve has in fact now become dominated by women. Even as recently as the Victorian era, the majority of dancers would have been male, and it was only in the early 19th century that the first female dancer was recorded. Today, the dancers are an integral component of all highland games, bringing a wonderful ingredient of youth and colour.

The Gathering 2009 will be hosting the 2009 World Highland Games Heavy Events Championship. The top 10-12 leading "Heavies" will compete in 8 core disciplines, including tossing the caber.

Legally registered on 25^th May 1973 the World Highland Games Heavy Events Championships has become the most important date in the calendar for leading international 'heavies'. Great athletes from home and abroad have competed in the World Championships. Many Olympic Games competitors and Commonwealth medalists and champions from nearly every continent have entered the lists, Australians, Canadians, Americans, African, European stars have thrilled people over the years. With a number of events it is a gruelling competition which draws the crowd's attention, holding a very important position in the Highland Games programme. Athletic sports and competitions, historically, were the main feature at any Highland Games and many today still consider Highland athletics are what the games are all about.

We will be announcing the 10-12 competitors in late 2008 when we will feature a biography and picture on each one.

Here is an overview of the events, so you can learn about what you will see over the two days:

TOSSING THE CABER

Contrary to general belief, athletes do not aim to throw the caber further than their opponents; they try to toss it ‘straighter'. A ‘12 o'clock throw' is perfect and judging is easily understood if you visualise the caber as the hour hand of a clock with the thick end of the caber at the centre of the clock face and the athlete tossing from the 6 o'clock position. 

PUTTING THE STONE (two events)

Putting the Stone has long been one of Scotland's favourite sporting events. Indeed it became so popular during the reign of Edward III that a law was passed to make Stone putting illegal! This was because archery, so essential for national defence, was being neglected. Like the stones used at Highland Gatherings, the ones being used in this competition come from the bed of a Scottish river where the action of the water has gradually worn the stone to a shape and smoothness required for this event. There are two different versions of the stone put, the "Braemar Stone" which weighs 20-26 lb, where the contestant stands still while throwing, and the "Open Stone" which weighs 16-22 lb where the contestant is allowed a ‘run-up', so long as the stone is put with one hand with the stone resting cradled in the neck until the moment of release.

THROWING THE HAMMER (two events)

Just like other throwing events, the competition is graded on who can throw the hammer the furthest. The ‘Hammer Throw' derived from old competitions where an actual sledge-hammer was thrown, nowadays however the hammer is replaced with a steel or lead weight.  One of the adopted methods derived from one of the most significant players in Hammer Throwing, Donald Dinnie. Back in the 19^th century, he was the first athletes to turn the hammer a full 360 degrees before releasing. The turns allowed the athlete to achieve a much greater distance. This marked a significant split between the traditional Scottish Highland games and modern track and field athletics.  There are two events in this category which differ only in the weight of the hammer: light (16-lb.) and heavy (22-lb.)

THROWING THE WEIGHT FOR HEIGHT

Throwing the weight for height was originally practiced in farmyards where an object such as a barrel top would be suspended from a pulley at the hay loft or alternatively from a branch of a tree. Nowadays, athletes throw a 56 pound (4stone) weight with an attached handle over a bar on stands as used in the pole vault. Three consecutive failures eliminates the thrower from the contest. 

THROWING THE WEIGHT FOR DISTANCE (two events)

This is probably the most graceful of the heavy events but the footwork necessary is very intricate. The technicalities have much more in common with discus throwing although the weight used by our champion athletes is about ten times heavier.  There are two separate events in this category, with two different weights, 28lb and 56lb. The athlete throwing one handed, usually adopts a spinning technique, with the longest throw winning.

The Royal Mile is one of the most famous streets in Europe's capital cities. It has witnessed Royal processions, public executions and riots. Every notable figure in Scotland's rich history has walked on this street. This will be the first time that all the clans have paraded from the royal Palace of Holyrood up to the Edinburgh Castle esplanade. A true distance of 1 mile and 107 yards, a climb of 560 feet from the bottom to the top. 

The parade will be divided into sections with each section being led by a pipe band. Clans people will parade in alphabetical order and will be preceded by their chiefs and commanders with the clan banners.

The parade is open to all passport holders and will lead directly into the castle esplanade where the pageant will take place.  If you have a passport but do not wish to partake in the parade then you will still be able to enter the esplanade area seperately from the parade.

For those who wish to take part but are concerned by the distance we will provide a limited amout of seating on open-top buses which will follow the parade. Bookings for these buses will take place in 2008.

Etiquette 

In 1822 Sir Walter Scott persuaded most of Scotland's leading figures to wear tartan to celebrate the Royal visit of George IV. He even got the King to wear the kilt!

We would love to emulate this achievement. It is, after all, a parade and pageant, and looking the part is as important as taking part. Remember, it is being filmed and shown around the world!

For more information look at the Clan Parade and Pageant FAQ's