Latest news from Donnie Nicolson, organizing the Clan MacNicol Gathering on Skye 3rd to 6th October 2024.
Happy New Year to youall. As we enter 2024, I’m fully aware that we are rapidly approaching our International Clan Gathering in October of this year. I’ve put in place an itinerary which can be viewed at- https://www.scorrybreac.org/clan-gathering-2024.html
The Clan Society of Scotland plan to meet in early February to finalise the plans, but so far I have the following –
Thursday the 3rd Ocober Welcome drinks at Skeabost Hotel - 7.30pm till 9pm Set in its own private grounds, Skeabost is just 10 minutes from Portree, this historic hotel enjoys stunning views across Loch Snizort. www.skyehotel.co.uk/skeabost/ Dress -Smart casual
Friday 4th October 10am - Raise the flag at Scorrybreac 11am onwards - Clan meetings at the Cuillin Hills Hotel. 7pm - Portree Community Centre Dinner and ceilidh dance with the Cast Ewe Ceilidh Band Dress - smart, tartan encouraged.
Saturday 5th 2pm - Work party at Scorrybreac Your chance to work on the clan land or just learn about the wide range of plants and trees in the area. Colin and Karen Johnstone lead Lusan Landscapes, who are the excellent team that carries out the grass cutting and general maintenance of the clan land. They will share their vast horticultural knowledge and lead with what light tasks can be carried out on the day. Dress - appropriate footwear 7pm onwards - An evening of entertainment from loacl artists and you! With casual dining at Gasta in Portree Many years ago, a Ceilidh would be the word Scottish and Irish people would use for a social gathering and probably didn’t always involve social dancing. There was a time in Scotland when it was forbidden to play Scottish traditional music, to wear a kilt or tartan and it could be punished by death. So, a ceilidh might have been a code word that the ‘Authorities’ didn’t understand. A ceilidh may have been an evening of poetry and a nice chance for a good yarn and a few drams with family or friends. Without any television or a Netflix subscription the highlight of entertainment would be the ceilidh and the stories, legends told of the days of old. The Witches and the Fairies. The Princess and her wedding or Selkies from sea. What yer Grannie did before the Battle… Tales of bravery against the English, Wallace and Bruce or fights among the clans. Lets create our own ceilidh! Can you sing, play an instrument, dance, read poem, tell a story? If so we want to hear from you.
Sunday 6th 10am - Going away brunch at Skeabost Hotel 11.30am - A gentle walk to St Columba's Isle (it’s a 10min walk from the Hotel) This gives a rough idea to what will happen over the weekend for those wishing to travel. It’s a mix of activities but also giving a little spare time for people to do their own thing. Also needing done is to replace the flagpole. That was never done after the last one was vandalised. We might need to change the way it’s attached to the ground, i.e. not a socket but a bracket into concrete, but I’ll keep you posted on that. For now, what I need from you all is to spread the word about the gathering and get those planning to attend to email me at
[email protected]
Best wishes Donnie.
Registration and costs for the Ceiligh celebration and other events will be published as they become available.
