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PROGRAMME FOR THE FIFTH
GATHERING OF THE CLAN MacGILLIVRAY

Meet and Greet – as at the 2015 Gathering, we will be based at the Kingsmill Hotel in Inverness but because of the numbers attending the buses for the various trips will pick up and drop off everyone at the Hotel and various other places which will be intimated nearer the time.    

You are all are invited to register for the Gathering at the Hotel commencing at 6.30 pm on Wednesday 15th July 2020.   There will be an informal supper and an opportunity to make and renew friendships with fellow Clans Folk.   Do bring along your family tree, genealogy or whatever information you have on your forebears and see whether you and others at the Gathering share a common ancestor


On Thursday 16th July you will board the buses at the prearranged places (including the Hotel) for a day of visits  

  • Dunlichity Church the resting place of many MacGillivrays and the Chiefly Enclosure.  
  • Dunmaglas so that you can all see the original homeland of the Chiefs.  
  • Culloden for lunch and an opportunity to walk over the Battlefield to see the various Clan stones and hear the history of the Battle particularly in relation to Clan MacGillivray and Clan Chattan.


We have been very fortunate to secure the use of the fantastic Eden Court Theatre (see below) for Thursday evening.   Aside from being able to see this interesting building and enjoy some good food, there will be presentations from several speakers on various topics of interest to Clan members, a question and answer session –  come prepared to ask about the things you have puzzled over - and entertainment.


The following day, Friday 17th July, the buses will leave Inverness and the Commander will welcome Clans Folk to his family home at Calrossie Farm, near Tain.  There will be visits to the nearby Glenmorangie Whisky Distillery, Tain Pottery and other places of interest including sites commemorating the Pictish history of the area such as at Hilton of Cadboll and the Shandwick Stone.   Depending on numbers special events will be laid on for younger members attending.   Lunch will be provided and an evening of entertainment and more lovely food will follow.


On Saturday 18th July we will attend Inverness Highland Games - anyone interested in participating in any of the events?   Log on to the web site below and sign up to

participate!   Wrist bands will be provided so that you can fast track your entrance to the Games and the Clan will be welcomed as VIPs.   You will all have the opportunity

to participate in a group event and those bands of musicians who are attending with their pipes will be able to participate in the Bands Parade.   As previously indicated lunch is not included in the Gathering payment but the entrance cost for the Games is now part of the Gathering payment – so nothing extra to pay for that!   We aim to be back on the buses around 4 pm to head back to Inverness to get ready for the Gala Dinner and entertainment in the Kingsmills Hotel.   Please wear tartan if you can!

On Sunday, sadly we go our separate ways but with many happy memories.  

NOTES

Eden Court Theatre (www.eden-court.co.uk) first opened in 1976 and had a multi million pounds extension and refurbishment in 2004.   Situated on the banks of the River Ness, it comprises three connected buildings which span three centuries

Tain (www.tain.org.uk) was the first Royal Burgh in Scotland, receiving its Royal Charter in 1066.   Clearly the Norman Conquest and the Battle of Hastings in the far South of England did not affect those in the far North of Scotland at that time!  


Issued by the Gathering Sub Committee of the Clan MacGillivray International Association

The Organisers reserve the right to amend the foregoing without prior intimation;  this will only be done if necessary to accommodate the numbers attending.

INFORMATION ON CULLODEN, ON HOTELS AND ON PAYMENTS
From:  Elizabeth N McGillivray, on behalf of Joint Organiser Blair MacGillivray
email:  macgillivray2020@btinternet.com 

Culloden - we are aware from previous Gatherings that a number of you will be members of Societies or Associations in your own Countries which have reciprocal arrangements with the National Trust for Scotland who run Culloden and will therefore be able to enter the Culloden Centre free of charge.    Access to the Battlefield only is free.   There will be a number of Clan Members based in the UK who will have membership of the Scottish or English National Trusts and they too will be able to enter free of charge.   Accordingly, entry to the Culloden Exhibition Centre will not be covered in the fee for attending the Gathering.  

I will provide information nearer the time as to the costs and the concessions.  Please indicate on the booking form if you think you will need to pay.   I will then arrange a block booking at a lesser charge per head for those who do not have free entry.   I will intimate that cost so that it can be paid along with the balance of the attendance fee.    Towards the end of this year we will indicate when payment of the balance is due and the payment arrangements

Inverness Highland Games - The other cost not covered is for lunch at the Inverness Highland Games.   We discussed providing a packed lunch, but that could be intrusive. There will be plenty different types of food available at the Games.


Accommodation – as at previous Gatherings it is for those attending to make their own accommodation arrangements.   If you wish to stay at the Kingsmills, a number of rooms have been block booked at a special rate.   Don’t delay because these are going fast.   Email or telephone for a booking.   Remember to say you are attending the Gathering in order to obtain the special rate.

Email:  reservations@kingsmillshotel.com  
telephone number is +44 1463 257100.
website: kingsmillshotel.com 
their address:  Culcabock Road, Inverness IV2 3LP

For other accommodation – hotels, self-catering, bed and breakfast, caravanning, camping, glamping, AirBNB etc the best way of dealing with these is online

Scottish Tourist Board whose web site address is: visitscotland.com.   
Inverness has its own website:   inverness-scotland.com.  
Booking.com, Lastminute.com and Laterooms.com for various hotels etc
Pitchup.com for camping, caravanning etc

Payments - of the deposit (£50) or the balance £225 should be in pounds sterling - can be by:

Cheque or bankers draft payable to Clan MacGillivray International Association.   Please email the above address for information as to where to send. Bank transfer:  Email me and I will provide details in an encrypted email.  When transferring funds please put your name (particularly your first name) (in whatever spelling) and your country e.g. John McGilvray, Spain.   It will make life easier!   Alternatively, please liaise with the organiser in your country if your trip is being arranged in that way.    It worked very well in 2015 with block bookings and payments and I hope it can be done again. Payment can also be made by PayPal using the email address enmcgillivray@btinternet.com.   Remember to indicate it is a payment to friends and give the information above as to who you are.  

Do not hesitate to email me on macgillivray2020@btinternet.com if there is anything you want to know. 

08 Oct 2019