Clan MacNicol (MacNeacail) Gathering 2014
2014 is the year chosen by the Clan to return to Scotland and our ancestral territory on the Isle of Skye. The event was shifted to 2014 from 2012 to try and align our event with the 2014 Gathering of the Clans on the battlefield in Bannockburn. There is a scheduled Clans and 1000 pipers march from Stirling Castle on 27 June, and a reenactment of the battle is scheduled for 28-30 June. Clan MacNicol will be represented at the Clan Centre. The Standing Council of Chiefs Newsletter discusses the grassroots efforts to make the event a success.
Our Chief and Clan leadership have finalized dates and events for the 2014 Clan Gathering. While gatherings in the past have been exclusive to the Clan Lands on Skye, the 2014 gathering will entail visits to three locations: the Bannockburn Battle Field, Balvenie Castle in Dufftown and finally the lands of Scorrybreac on the Isle of Skye. The Chief has asked the younger members of Clan MacNicol to plan the events in Scotland, and they have established a Facebook page called Young MacNeacail 2014. The host in Scotland is Donnie Nicolson (donnie_nicolson@hotmail.com). If you plan to attend the events on Skye, please let Donnie know as soon as possible how many will be attending and which events you plan to attend. Once he has a estimate on numbers, Donnie will be able to provide costs.
Clan members can begin to consider their travel plans based on this schedule:
26-27 June or prior: Members travel to Scotland
27 June: Clan and 1000 Piper March from Stirling Castle
28-30 June: Bannockburn Gathering of Clans and 700th Anniversary Events
1-2 July: Travel to Duffown - Visit to Balvenie Castle and Glenfiddich Distillery
3-6 July: Portree, Isle of Skye
4 July - 10 am: Raise the Flag at Scorrybreac
4 July - 11:30am: Business meeting at the Cuillin Hills Hotel
4 July - 2-4pm: Boat trips from Portree Bay, taking in views of Scorrybreac and Sea Eagles
4 July - 7pm: Buffet and Céilidh
5 July - 11am: A bus tour of North Skye, which includes storytelling, music, a pub lunch and a few drams
5 July - 7pm: Haggis, Neeps and Tatties at Marmalade
6 July - 11am - 1pm: Going away brunch at the Cuilin Hills Hotel
6 July: Clan members depart for home or other touring venues