Another very enjoyable Gathering !

And what glorious weather to go with it 56 members attended the various activities which, for the first time, included a visit to the Ballater Highland Games. Everything got off to a well-oiled start in the bar of the Monaltrie Hotel on the Wednesday evening and then on the Thursday the games took place. We hired a large tent from the Ballater Angling Association and this was certainly big enough to accommodate our members and a table of leaflets and memorabilia. We had a large banner made in order to advertise the Clan and this did the job by attracting lots of people to the Clan tent, and not just Farquharsons. These games are held in the traditional style, without lots of commercial tents, although there are sufficient commercial outlets to provide a variety of food and drink. Our Clan Chief was the Chieftain for the games and he and Madame Farquharson were piped into the arena and escorted to their seats by the Chairman of the Games Society. After some prize giving the chief visited our Clan tent and spent some time chatting to members.

The Chief and Madame Farquharson visiting the Clan tent

In the evening there was a ceilidh in one of the village halls which proved to be very lively indeed and rounded off a thoroughly enjoyable day

We kept the Friday as a “day off” for sightseeing and rest so that members were fully prepared for our own ceilidh that evening. We had the same band as last year and they were just as good. Although the dance floor was a little small everybody had a great time and danced until after midnight. Geoffrey brought a young contingent of very capable and enthusiastic dancers, which was very welcome.

Alan Caig and Sharon Farley in full swing

During Saturday morning several members of the royal family were seen shopping in Ballater. Later on Saturday morning we held our annual general meeting at which the Clan Chief presided. He was greeted at the hotel door by our Piper and piped into the meeting room. The usual business was conducted and much to the relief of Alan Caig (!) he handed over the presidency to our new President, Gordon Farquharson. Alan was presented with a very generous token of the appreciation of the clan for his work in getting the Clan society going. The formal business of the day was followed by an excellent Thai buffet lunch at the Monaltrie Hotel together with a complimentary drink very generously provided by the Clan Chief. After lunch our regular photographer came to the hotel and took the Clan photograph in the garden of the hotel. We all then scooted off to Invercauld House at the invitation of the Clan Chief for a tour of the house and some workshops. Gordon Farquharson had specially arranged a whisky-tasting by the Lochnagar Distillery (thanks to Margaret Finney at Lochnagar) and Geoffrey Farquharson held a workshop on family history. The president of Clan Farquharson USA, Sharon Farley, instructed the ladies in the making of a rosette from tartan material.
Our two pipers held a very amusing workshop on the intricate workings of the bagpipes. Alan and Gordon were the first to try out the pipes with hilarious results. John Hardy fared rather better and even Jane Farquharson managed to extract a squeak. The next time you see a piper in the street, busking, please do give him some money because he will have mastered an art way beyond the ability of ordinary men.

Alan Caig makes hard work of it !


Gordon Farquharson and John Hardy show how easy it is !