This great value six-day Gathering
combines a stay in a Highland hotel with a unique chance to
take part in the Royal Ediburgh Military Tattoo, an
opportunity to meet the Clan Chief and his family, to
experience a traditional Highland Games and to explore the
ancient Clan territories in Glenisla and Glenshee. Also to
witness 17th century historical reenactments, learn Scottish
reels, participate in a Scottish Ceilidh, enjoy the pleasures
of traditional cuisine at the Clan Society Dinner as well as
whisky tasting and displays of the pipes and drums.
*****
A summary of the six day programme can be
found towards the foot of this page.
*****
Please use the "Booking" button
(below right) to find much more information about the
rooms and packages available for members,
supporters and their families staying in the Gathering
Hotel and to make your bookings and payments. The
button also allows anyone choosing to stay elsewhere to
book for individual events.
*****
Please note that the
closing date for booking full packages was
Monday 20th February
2017.
(However other options may still
be available - please contact us for
details).
*****
Scotland's Hotel, Pitlochry
Please click on the photograph to enlarge
The 2017 Highland Gathering will be based at
the Scotland's Hotel, Bonnethill Road, Pitlochry, PH16
5BT (illustrated right). The Society has
reserved all the rooms in the hotel for the duration of
the Gathering. Special inclusive package rates have been
negotiated and it is hoped this should enable all those
attending the Gathering to stay there.
****
The hotel has a gym,
swimming pool and spa. Lots of useful information about the
hotel, the local area and how to get to
Pitlochry is now available on this website. Access to
these will be via the "Information" button
(right).
****
Pitlochry is 26 miles
north of Perth just off the main A9 road to Inverness. It has
a main line railway station with connecting trains from
Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness. The hotel is
within easy reach of the station and the main street in
Pitlochry with its range of the highland outfitters,
boutiques, restaurants and traditional public houses. It
is almost 21 miles (33kms) by road from the Clan lands in
Glenshee.
*****
The remainder of this page contains a
brief list of the Gathering activities day by day. It is
possible that there could be some changes as the plans
our finalised. Timings will be added to each of
the events in due course.
*****
If you are not yet ready to book but
are still thinking about attending the Gathering please click
here to
complete our "Express an
Interest" form.
*****
If you have any questions about the Gathering you
can contact us by clicking here or
by sending an e-mail to gathering@clanmacthomas.com.
Members without e-mail can contact the Society Treasurer**.
Schedule of Events (Provisional)
Wednesday 23rd August 2017 - Day One
Early
Afternoon
Check in
at Scotland's Hotel and collect your name badge and
tickets for the various events. An extended range Clan
MacThomas Merchandise on sale.
Free time
- Why not relax in the hotel Spa, use the swimming pool
and fitness room or explore Pitlochry and the
surrounding area?
Early
Evening
****
Welcoming Reception in
Scotlands Hotel Lounge
Meet
senior members of the Society Council.
Preferred dress - kilts and
tartan.
Dinner
in the Faskally
Restaurant, Scotland's
Hotel.
MacThomas Party in the
Hotel Bar.
An
evening of traditional Scottish music and
songs.
Later
A wee nightcap in McNabs Bar,
Scotlands Hotel
Thursday 24rd August 2017 - Day Two
Morning
Scottish Breakfast
in the Hotel
Restaurant.
Presentations on
the Clan History, the Clan's ancient
lands or Genealogy.
Late
Morning
Depart by Coach for
Edinburgh.
*******
Afternoon
*****
****
Free to
explore Edinburgh.
See
the landmarks, go shopping or relax in one of the
festival pubs or restaurants.
Evening
*****
******
*****
*****
Royal
Edinburgh Military
Tattoo
See photograph
below
MacThomas night. Watch the show or be
one of fifty Clansfolk dressed in Tartan, who will
be allowed to March behind our 19th Chief onto the Castle Esplanade.
One of the highlights of the
Gathering.
Later
Return by Coach to Scotlands
Hotel.
Friday 25th August 2017 - Day
Three
Morning
Scottish Breakfast in the Hotel
Restaurant.
Later
****
****
****
Tour of MacThomas Territory with an
experienced guide.
Tour
to include a visit to local Distillery and sites
associated with the Clan such as
Broughdearg, Finegand, MacThomas Bridge and Glen Begg.
There will be Lunch stop en
route.
Early
Evening*****
*****
Meeting with the 19th Chief in
the Hotel Lounge.
Your
chance to meet the Andrew MacThomas of Finegand for
informal discussions and questions about on the Clan and
the Society.
Evening
Dinner in the Faskally Restaurant, Scotlands Hotel.
Later
****
****
Highland Reeling Practice with a
professional instructor.
(Dashing White Sergeant, Duke of Perth,
Eightsome Reel, Gay Gordons, Hamilton House and Strip
the Willow).
Later
A
wee deoch an doris at McNabs
Bar.
Saturday 26th August 2017 - Day Four
Morning
Breakfast in the
Hotel Restaurant.
Morning
*****
Clan MacThomas Society Annual General
Meeting.
Scotland's Hotel.
Late
Morning
**
**
**
****
*****
Strathardle Highland Games in
Kirkmichael.
Members in tartan can march behind the
Chief onto the Bannerfield. Clansfolk are encouraged to
participate in events.
Lunch in the Clan
tent.
Clan
MacThomas sponsor the Highland
Dancing.
Evening
*****
The 2017 Clan Society Dinner at Scotland's Hotel.
Dress
- black tie, kilts and tartan, lounge
suits.
Later
A wee deoch an doris
at McNabs Bar.
Sunday 27th August 2017 - Day Five
Morning
Breakfast in the
Hotel Restaurant.
Mid
Morning
**
*****
*****
*****
Clan Gathering at Clach na Coileach,
Glenshee.
Address by Andrew MacThomas of Finegand
Display of piping by the Clan Pipers
& The EMS Highlander Pipes &
Drums
Preferred dress - kilts and
tartan.
Featuring
Historical Reenactments from the
1640's
Later
Lunch at Kirkton of
Glenisla
With
**
A Historical Reenactment
of the Skirmish at McComie's
Field
- another
highlight.
Evening
*****
Haggis Buffet Supper at
Scotland's
Hotel
including the Address to the
Haggis
Followed by
**
*****
MacThomas Clan Ceilidh at
Scotland's Hotel
Ending with Auld Lang Syne
Preferred dress - kilts and
tartan.
Later
A final wee deoch an doris
at McNabs Bar.
Monday 28th August 2017 -
Day Six
(Bank
holiday in England)
Morning
*****
*****
Farewell Clan Breakfast at Scotlands
Hotel
An informal buffet breakfast and a
chance to say good-bye to friends old and new. Free to
hotel guests.
The 2017 Clan MacThomas Highland Gathering ends
after breakfast.
Travel home
safely
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
Note: ** The Treasurer's
address can be be found on the "Important Addresses" page in
the Members' Secure Area of this website. If you are logged on
please click here.
