I attended Glenfinnan on Saturday and what a great day it turned out to be. In attendance were Clann Gaidhealach and Na Fir Dileas.  Derek brought with him Loren Teague a lady friend and novelist from New Zealand who wrote "Highland Rebel" which is a story of love and sacrifice.  We attended the highland games, had something to eat and then after a lot of picture taking by the tourists it was of home. Everyone had a great day and the weather was superb. Roll on 2009.

On Saturday 26th I attended Killiecrankie with some members of Clann Gaidhealach. Organised by Crann Tara, the event recalled how Bonnie Dundee, John Grahame of Claverhouse, led his army against the government troops led by General Hugh MacKay. At 12.00 noon Kenny Borthwick, who organised the event opened the day in the Old Blair car park, giving a brief insight into the war council that was held the night before the battle in the banquet room of Blair Castle. Then the present “troops” were led up the gruelling hill by the standards of Grahame and King James. For once the Young Pretenders (kids) outdid the Old Pretender (Kenny) and arrived first at the summit. At the Cairn on the battlefield, David R. Ross and Andrew Murray Scott both made speeches and wreaths were laid in  remembrance of those who gave their lives. A short prayer was said followed by a musket salute and a minute of silence.

For more information about the event visit;

http://www.cranntara.org.uk/killi08.htm

http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2008/07/28/newsstory11717935t0.asp

I was at Lochearnhead Highland Games on Saturday with Clann Gaidhealach. What a day it was, great weather, lots of tourists and a great day of games and competitions. All the Clan tents were there and they had there banners flying proudly. It was great to see so many people in attendance even under the current climate and everyone enjoyed themselves.

This was a promise kept to Donald MacLaren of MacLaren, Chief of the Clan MacLaren that we would return this year to support their games and we got a very warm welcome typical of Highland Clan hospitality.

I attended the Bannockburn Commemoration yesterday and a service was held by the Scottish Templar Knights.

Myself, Dad, Ralph, James and Zac (2nd event) were there as Clann Gaidhealach (The Highland Clansmen) the new Group that we are putting together.

It was good to see some members of Na Fir Dileas (The Loyal Men) in support.

There was a lot of tourists at the battlefield and Ralph was continually getting his photo taken, posing.

The Templar's had quite a large turnout and my Grandson was asked to lead the procession to the monument.

The weather held and as you can see from my photos Ralph brought out the bagpipes to entertain the tourists.

I had the pleasure of attending the Whiterose Jacobite Night on Saturday and what a night it turned out to be. Kevin and Dougie were in fine voice and the kept a large audience entertained all evening with there music. There were also people from the audience who went on stage to add to the night. I would like to take this chance to offer Kevin and Dougie all the best in their new venture and if this was anything to go by it should be a great success.

 I attended the Gaelic Society's Annual Commemoration at Culloden on Saturday. The turnout appears to be getting better every year and the weather although sunny was very cold.  All the Clan Standards were flying proudly and it was good to see so many different groups present.

After the sevice we had a hot bowl of soup and then returned to the battlefield just in time to see and hear Clann an Drumma burst into life, they were amazing.

After that we paid a visit to The Clava Cairns - or more correctly Bulnaraun of Clava - which  is one of the best preserved Bronze Age burial sites in Scotland.

It was then of to visit our old friends the MacDonalds for an evening  good food, good drink and great company.

I attended the commemoration on Saturday 12th April of Bonnie Dundee raising the Standard of King James, 6th of Scotland and 2nd of England at Law Hill.

With me were my Grandson's and Ralph who was taking the photo's on the day and what a great job he made of it.

In attendance were people from all different Groups and a lot of people who were there for the first time.

Kenny who organises the event started of with a story about Bonnie Dundee and his wife at Dudhope Castle and then it was onward and upward to the top of Law Hill where I was very privileged to be asked if I would unfurl the Standard.  

After a speech by Kenny and a toast to the King with the standard unfurled we then took photo's at the monument.

The weather held well for us and everyone had a great time.

I was at this commemoration on Saturday 19th January and what a great day it turned into.

The Scottish Knights Templar lead the commemoration with a short service, a minutes silence and then the laying of the wreaths.

There was a good turnout from various different groups and when the commemoration was complete we all returned to the Hurlet Bar for a dram and a hot, spicy, scotch pie which was greatly appreciated.

In the bar we had of a sing song with the aid of Gordon and his bodhran and it was great to be able to sit down and have a blether with everyone.

I attended the annual Rob Roy event at the Kings House Hotel Balquhidder. The weather was good to us this year but because of illness there was a very poor turnout. The march started about 1pm and everyone got to the graveside without getting wet. There was a speech which was listened to by a lot of tourists who were watching with interest.  The tourists asked a lot of questions and took a lot of photos and when I get them I will put them into an album.It was then back to the Kings House for an evening meal. After the meal it was onto the entertainment by Kevin Wilson which I have been told was superb as usual.

The Scottish national flag is a white-on-blue saltire (i.e. a diagonal cross on a coloured background) and it derives from the shape of the cross on which Scotland's patron saint, St Andrew, was crucified.

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In 832 AD near the East Lothian village of Athelstaneford, a battle was fought which led to the adoption of the Saltire as Scotland's national flag. A joint army of Picts and Scots under the High King of Alba, Angus mac Fergus, was invading Lothian which at that time was still Northumbrian territory. Angus's force was surrounded by a larger army of Angles and Saxons and fearing defeat, the king led prayers for deliverance. Angus believed he had received a divine sign when above him in a clear blue sky, he saw a great white cross like that of St Andrew's. The king vowed that if, with the saint's help, he gained the victory, then Andrew would thereafter be the patron saint of Scotland and his cross the flag of Scotland. Angus did win and the Saltire duly became the national flag
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