The Clan Donald Society of Edinburgh stand proud in front of The Clan Donald Tent along with International Clan Donald Members and Supporters.

Amongst them : Merlyn McReynolds, Deputy High Commissioner of Clan Donald USA ,CDSE  President , Archivist  and Historian Norman H. MacDonald, Morag Y. MacDonald, Hon Secretary of CDSE, Alan R. MacDonald, David MacDonald of Castlecamus ED of Clan Donald Lands Trust, Lois MacDonell of Glengarry ,  Clan Donald Nova Scotia Secretary Sheila MacDonald and Wade MacDonald, Ronald H. Groen van Abtsdale Clan Donald Europe.

Accompanied by the sound of their stirring pipes and drums, the Atholl Highlanders joined The Gathering’s Clan Parade along the historic Royal Mile after almost 30 years away from Scotland’s capital.

It marked The Atholl Highlanders first visit to Edinburgh in 29 years. The regiment of Atholl Highlanders serves the Duke of Atholl, its Colonel, and is the last remaining private army in Europe. 

They are rarely seen outside of Highland Perthshire, where they gather annually in May at Blair Castle, a major tourist attraction, in the presence of Colonel His Grace, the Duke of Atholl. 

Historically, the regiment have acted as bodyguards for royalty, providing a Guard of Honour for Queen Victoria throughout her visit to Blair Castle in 1844, although their current role is a largely a ceremonial one it was excellent to see them parade as Prince Charles : The Duke of Rothesay officially opened the Clan Gathering at Holyrood.

Prince Charles patron of The Gathering joined thousands on the day to officially open what was the world’s largest Clan Meeting and Highland Games in history.

 Reflecting on the changing face of clan culture in Scotland, the Prince of Wales commented: “Thankfully in 2009 the lives of clan chiefs and their clansmen, both in Scotland and abroad, are somewhat less blood-soaked and unhappy than those experienced by thousands of their ancestors.

” Charles, or the Duke of Rothesay as he is known officially in Scotland, also paid tribute to the thousands of ex-pats who had made the journey for the occasion.

Many of the folk in attendance had journeyed from countries where the Scottish society is celebrated in far greater numbers, and the Gathering is regarded as an historic opportunity for all the Scottish clans to focus on their survival and future.

Prince Charles is seen here wearing MacDonald -The Lord of The Isles Tartan as the Prince of Wales currently holds the Title.

Holyrood Park  July 26^th 2009

The Rt Hon. Godfrey MacDonald of MacDonald, 8^th Lord MacDonald and Chief of Clan Donald Places a medallion around the neck of Thomas Miers the Finlaggan Pursuivant, the Private Officer of Arms of Clan Donald, during the induction ceremony at Holyrood Park.

The newly sworn-in Finlaggan Pursuivant Holds a goblet of wine and his baton oF office as he acknowledges the crowds.

In a spendid re-creation of ancient Highland History Thomas Miers was sworn in as Finlaggan Pursuivant infront of the Gathering of 100s of clansfolk and supporters of an ancient practice; of senior clans chiefs having their own private pursuviants to look after matters of clan heraldry and genealogy.

Photos by Graham MacDonell

The Rt Honourable Godfrey MacDonald of MacDonald, 8th Lord MacDonald and High Chief of Clan Donald and his wife , Lady (Claire) MacDonald of Kinloch chat with Donald Cameron of Lochiel 27th Chief and Captain of Clan Cameron.

The Duchess of Rothesay at The Gathering 2009.

Robert McDonald Parker Chamberlain to the High Council of Chiefs of Clan Donald and Council Member of the CDSE, meets Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Rothesay, at The Gathering.

Photo by Graham MacDonell

Ni h-eibhneas ganChlainn Domhnaill

“It is no Joy without Clan Donald”

Never in History had Clans paraded together from Royal Palace Holyrood upto Edinburgh Castle. Around 8000 marchers from over 125 clans , interspersed with by seven pipe bands took part.

Edinburgh was a Buzz as the skirl of the pipes mixed with accents from all over the world when Scotland’s diaspora made the pilgrimage home to find their roots , mingle with their fellow clansmen and enjoy the explosion of music and tartan.

Clan Donald was supported at the gathering by the Clan Donald Society of Edinburgh, Clan Donald USA, Australia, New Zealand and The Clan Donald Land Trust on Skye.

Photos by Graham MacDonell.

Clan Donald Chief Godfrey Macdonald  of Macdonald  High Chief of the clan Donald, speaks to STV about the success of the Gathering in Scotland’s capital.

There are a 5.1 million people in Scotland, and around 40 million descendant people with  Scottish descent living in other countries.

If you are of Scottish descent your allegiance would be to your Clan. From the Gaelic CLANN (meaning family or children), the clan system was integral to the highland tribal culture of Gaelic Scotland.