A report on the Homecoming  Gathering 2010

by Alistair Farquharson

On Friday 24th July, the heavens opened as Joan and I drove from Aberdeenshire to Edinburgh. Our Chief, Capt. AC Farquharson of Invercauld and our President, Andrew Farquharson from Findon were already in a meeting at the convention of Scottish Chiefs at Holyrood.

Saturday: The next day was fine, warm and dry for the grand occasion of “The Homecoming”. There were many visitors to the clan tent, including our Chief and Madame Farquharson, Sharon Farley, President of Clan Farquharson USA, Bruce Finlay, President of the Australian Society, Sean Christie, President of the Canadian Association, as well as our own President Andrew Farquharson and past presidents Alan Caig and Gordon Farquharson. Prince Charles was seen from a distance, but Canadian President Sean with Tracy Christie, who hail from Nova Scotia, saw him quite a bit closer!

The march along the “Royal Mile” was a great affair, led by our Chief and Madame Farquharson, preceded by Jeanette Farquharson, the standard bearer of the day and the clan put on a fine show as we passed through a crowd three to four deep, lining the route, all cheering and clapping as we passed.

Another triumph of Andrew Farquharson’s organizing ability was the International Dinner that was held that evening at The Royal Overseas League, facing Edinburgh Castle across a deconstructed Princes Street and who will ever forget Bruce Finlay singing “Waltzing Matilda”? Table were split into Canada, the US, Australia, and Europe. These were all hosted by representatives of the UK Clan Farquharson. The central table was that of The Chief and Madam Farquharson and they hosted all the Presidents of the visiting countries.

Tuesday 28 July: Up to Ballater for our own Clan Gathering on Tuesday 28th July, we were able to celebrate the Chief’s 90th Birthday in The Albert Hall, which was a spectacular event in such a memorable year. The Ballater and District pipe band came to greet them and play them into the hall.
Making a small presentation to Alwyne, I addressed him by saying that “in days long gone by, clan chiefs were elected, but I like to think that if such a system still prevailed, Alwyne would still be at our head” This was endorsed by spontaneous clapping.

Wednesday was a busy but very enjoyable day of visiting Balmoral, our Clan Cairn service, which as ever was a moving occasion and as photos show, also supported by overseas members. From there it was a tour of Braemar Castle then a quick run back to Ballater to prepare for a concert at Finzean which was part of the celebrations commemorating 400 years of Farquharsons at Finzean. Alison and Angus had organised this event in Finzean Hall and the programme was superb, with the magical fiddle of Paul Anderson, haunting singing by his wife Shona and ballads by Hector, the latter largely unintelligible to those not born or brought up in the NE of Scotland! More memorable singing was provided by Freda Morrison and her ladies, one of their more unforgettable lines being “There is part of the past that you and me share”, which no doubt applies to the whole human race, but to members of a clan, more than most.

Thursday: This was a day for some formalities with the AGM being held at the Loirston Hotel in Ballater followed by a committee meeting.

The Clan Ceilidh was held in the evening in the Victoria Hall when we opened our doors to the local dancers to join us.

Friday: This day was devoted to a visit to Culloden where we could see our Clan stone set in The Culloden Walk and a walk around the heather moor.

Saturday was the Aboyne Highland Games, which commenced with a march from Aboyne Castle into the games arena, preceded by the pipes and drums of The Gordon Highlanders with Angus and Alison’s young Grandson Rhuari carrying our banner. Light drizzle gave way to drier conditions and there were many visitors to our clan tent in the clan enclave and a delightful buffet lunch was enjoyed as well as the ambience of the occasion.

In the evening, we had a wonderful Informal Clan Dinner (including haggis) in The Albert Hall.

Sunday was another special and memorable day which started off with a thanksgiving service in a packed Finzean Church, the content of which was very moving as the 400th anniversary was commemorated. After that it was picnic lunches or something to eat at The Finzean Farm Shop before moving on to Finzean House where the family had most generously invited clan members to join the celebrations at a Garden Party.
The flag was raised, we were warmly greeted on entering and we enjoyed a lavish and wonderful garden party as the sun shone on the beautiful grounds and surrounding countryside. It was an amazing finale to a truly memorable Clan Gathering.

Some members and friends were able to stay on for the Ballater Games on 13 August and once again they were blessed with fine weather. Our Chief and Madame Farquharson were in attendance and one of the highlights was when the clan followed the Chief between the escort of Scots Guards as he arrived to take his seat as Patron of The Games and another highlight as he and Madame Farquharson left the field, preceded by Bruce Finlay, carrying the clan banner wearing an Aussie bush hat!  50 people from far and near, including regular attendees like Roxanne Vuskalns from the
US and the doodle sacker (bagpiper), Ausgar Boehmer and his wife, from Germany, signed the register.

Saturday 5th September was a fine day for The Royal Braemar Gathering which Joan and I attended with Alan Caig, representing the clan in the overseas visitors tent. Once again there were many visitors from a’a’ the ‘airts’ , foremost amongst them the Chief and Madame Farquharson. From Dunedin in New Zealand came a Wilma Hendry (nee Farquharson), whose grandfather had established a farm near Signal Hill about 1870!

What a truly eventful year!