It is a lot of fun, we had quite a few small group trips in 2009 to Douglas castles and marched with our clans up the royal mile together.. Douglas's came from all corners of the world! So great to meet so many Douglas's from all over the world! Does anyone have the dates of The Gathering yet in Scotland? The sooner they release them, the easier it is to plan a trip and the more will come! :)

Mary,

Affordable accommodation is difficult to find in June, apparently, so I am looking at July - probably between 6th and 14th July 2014.

I am awaiting responses from the Scottish tourist board (now called VisitScotland, and Historic Scotland.

I also want to talk to the Earl of Morton, the Dukes of Hamilton and Buccleuch and the Earl of Home to gain their support.

Do you have any photographs from 2009 that I could use?

William

Beryl,

I have just got back in from walking a reluctant dog, and whilst out was pondering how to promote collecting further recruits to our DNA project.

The Gathering will, of course be a significant opportunity, and I am hoping that it will be well attended by all the lines/branches.

Once details are fixed, I will be looking at all marketing opportunities. However, a major stumbling block is that there is no International or Scottish association to help finance that. I will really be working on a low cost/no cost model.

Beryl,

I do need to find a way of promoting the Gathering within the United Kingdom and Ireland, but also in Sweden, the Netherlands, Germany and possibly France.  As you say, the associations in Australia, and America can help within their own 'regions'.

I have not actually put together a marketing plan, per se, so as yet there is no budget.  My early thoughts are based around starting with a bit of editorial placement/marketing in Scottish/genealogy/etc magazines, which has negligible costs, plus on line social networking.

I have applied for a grant, but am not very hopeful.

It is the Clan Maclean Gathering next week, so I am concentrating on that right now.

Does this exclude Yanks and Aussies from attending ?

William - you've already done so much to get us started - for everyone, let's help answer his questions so he can move forward, or offer to help?

For instance, I'm in favour of either CLAN DOUGLAS or DOUGLAS CLAN as the 'title' for the gathering - and why would we not do it in July 2014 if that's when the other clans are going to attend?  The bigger the party, the better!  If July is TOO expensive for most Douglases, then pick early June - before everything else starts.  Personally, I don't mind saving up to go in the 2nd week of July - immedaitely after the Royal trip to Scotland so we can have a chance of having the Dukes in attendance.  Wish I'd known about the gathering in 2009 - and am more than willing to pay $$ towards the DNA project - how wonderful it's even an option!  Would like to know more about my family history - our bible was destroyed by an upset wife when her Douglas left her for another... losing our history.   Planning 18 -24 months out is perfectly fine - NEVER BEHIND!  Let's do it!  William sounds pretty busy at the moment with another event...Anyone got ideas for promoting this?   Not sure what the Drysdale comment is about?  NO-ONE is excluded - William is asking for ideas how to promote.... got any?

Catherine L. Douglas''Not sure what the Drysdale comment is about? ''          [ the Drysdale ]

 Catherine L. Douglas ,The very fact of the manner and method  you recognize me by name is in its self exclusion.

It was a simple question with a yes or no answer Russell Lynn Drysdale 

So very sorry if offended- no challenge meant - just curious about the question

Catherine L. Douglas ,you were impolite and very offending . You have maliciously devalued me , my surname without even recognizing me as a person  , but rather more of an ''it''  [ the Drysdale ], so however sorry , its not sorry enough , I would suggest a retraction

Catherine L. Douglas , I have never been disrespectful any Douglas family member . Russell Lynn Drysdale 

Then a retraction it shall be - no devaluation meant - the "it" referenced the comment as I truly couldn't understand it - but I will retract with apologies for the comment.

Comment by Catherine Douglas 

CDSNA it is then !  Thank you , Beryl Turner

I am just back home from the Clan Maclean Gathering.

There were over 1000 Macleans there for the final day; 600 had attended the dance and 800 the ceilidh (concert). That is quite a challenge to match up to!

It has given me some good ideas as to what we might want to do.

Douglas Clan Golf Tournament 

Dalmahoy, one time home of the Douglas Earls of Morton, is the location of a world class golf course.

Should we be thinking of a Douglas Golf Tournament?

That sounds good stayed there as well part of the Marriott chain

Jim Douglas

I have just received this from the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs:

The Plans are as follows:

Part 1 is for the National Trust reenactment of the battle of Bannockburn on 28,29,30 June 2014 to be a signature event in 2014. An extra day has been added to accommodate the clans. In addition to the re-enactment there will be a distinctive, good quality clan village at the site. The National Trust will run all of this and have done reenactments before at Bannockburn so there is a high degree of confidence in this event. There is also the new visitor centre which will employ state of the art 3-D technology to interpret the battle.

Part 2 is for greater emphasis to be given to regional clan type events such as highland games in which there might be clan participation in 2014. An example is the Aboyne Games in which some 8 clans participate. Reference has also been made to SW Scotland and the Inverness area. 

i am trying to find Douglas MUSIC ????

Try the doubt y Douglas I have the words

Jim

Francis, you can listen to The Corries sing of the glories of Douglasdale on our video page.

Thomas Douglas (circa 1900)
Thomas Douglas is known for his great march composition "Miss Elspeth Campbell." He composed a number of other tunes that appear in David Glen's and Robert MacKinnon's collections, but none has stood the test of time like the above-mentioned tune, which became popular almost immediately.

He was a native of Cowal, in Argyll, and the "Notices of Pipers" published in the September 1968 Piping Times refers to him as "a good performer."

Beryl, sadly no, the Highland Games are between individuals, though some have North Vs South type competitions.

It might be fun if there was a central Games where clan champions competed against each other.

has any travel agent from the main centre of activities thought of putting together a package deal of quality but reasonably priced accommodations and travel coaches ,event enteries , restaurants etc for this event? also I'd be very happy to do a house / apartment  swap while I am at my B&B in beautiful Whangarei Northland New Zealand look at the website www.kaurinest.co.nz thanks Jackie

Details, such as they are known, of the National Trust for Scotland's plans to welcome clan chiefs and clans from around the globe to the Bannockburn event, including a Clan Village allowing an opportunity to gather and greet fellow clansmen are available on the National trust for Scotland's Bannockburn site@ http://www.battleofbannockburn.com/Events/

Thanks for the link http://www.battleofbannockburn.com/Events/ William, I have been on the site to have a look, and getting very excited about the whole event. Never mind the Christmas countdown it's only 86 weeks to go until The Clan Douglas gathering. 

Hi, Kim.

We are unable to fix an exact date yet as there are developments in progress over an international gathering of all the clans.

Anybody shed light on Alice Maude Douglas married Julian Edmund Tennison Woods... in Adelaide. Mary MacKillop.. Scot born in Melbourne Australias first Saint statred her Order with 

Father Julian Tenison Woods who was the Priest in Adelaide who started the group of women with MacKillop.  He was a scientist and there is a national Park named after him in the Range behind Brisbane.

Francis, I have moved your discussion point here: http://douglashistory.ning.com/forum/topics/3482022:Topic:53882
with some answers

William and others,

The possibility of attending a Douglas clan gathering certainly appeals to me. My thoughts so far:

I'd be excited to attend, because, 1) I've never been to Scotland, 2) the last Douglas from my family to visit was my grandfather in 1918, 3) great uncles and a grandfather are buried in both France and England and, other than caretakers, no one has visited their graves since the 1920s. It would be a good opportunity to include these sites in a larger trip. 4) I expect such a once in a lifetime gathering would be memorable, friendly and fun!

What concerns me is, 1) I don't have any obvious ties. I descend through Douglas's that came to Quebec after the British conquest and I have no understanding of exactly who they were or where they were from - so what is my connection to other Douglas's?, 2) It's already expensive to come from Western North America to Scotland, and during a special event year like 2014, it would probably cost even more. (Even though item 4 above.)

I'll definitely keep paying attention, though.

Mark Douglas

Vancouver, Canada

Bannockburn 700th – Saturday 21 June, 2014

This Pipefest does not look like a firm date yet, but something for us to consider before choosing our Gathering dates.

http://www.pipefest.com/events/bannockburn-700-10000-pipers-drummers/

Plans for the 2014 Clan Douglas Gathering are still on hold as we wait for clarification as to what is planned at a national level.

Latest news can be found here: http://www.clans2014.com/the-second-battle-of-bannockburn/#comment-127

Yes I'd be interested in attending a clan gathering :)

I will be attending  clan gathering 2014, and cant wait to get to Scotland. Could you please tell me if  Dumfries on the list of places to go and see.  2014 i one year short of my Douglass family coming to Australia as a Convict from Dumfries.....See you all there 

opps sorry.... 2014 is one year short of 200years of my Douglass family coming to Australia as a Convict from Dumfries.

Dumfries will probably not be on the list, but Drumlanrig, which is nearby will be. Dumfries and Castle Douglas are certainly worth visiting.  If there are enough interested we could put together an itinerary for a group visit.

Update 26 June 2013:  I have included Lincluden (in Dumfries) and Threave Castle in the itinery.

I also have the opportunity to come and it has been incredibly nice to be there. It's not so far from Norway, so I'll keep myself updated.
I do not have so many threads with my Mary Douglas b 1766 to 1836 and David Hastings snr yet, but I hope I can find out more gradually :-)

Iam not sure if I can go to the Clan Gathering next year,but I will try.

It is not that far from Paisley.I will know nearer the time,best wishes to everyone.

Ronnie Drysdale

If you can only make one day, make it the Saturday at Drumlanrig for the Clan Muster.

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HI, my sister Lynette and I will be making the trip for the clan gathering, we are bringing our Mother (not a Douglas) but she would like to go on the tours, does she have to pay the 25pound registration.  Also are there buses to pick up and drop off back in Edinburgh.  Don't know yet whether we are staying at the Marriott in Edinburgh, your help would be appreciated in this while we plan our trip.

Kim and Lynette,

I am delighted to hear that you and your mother will be joining us for the Clan Gathering.

Yes, all taking part must register.  This covers various 'extras', including the website and other marketing initiatives, as well as handouts and talks.

I am holding off deciding pickup points til we see where everyone is staying. However, the Marriott is likely to be the 'hub'.

William

Thanks William :)

Looking forward to the Douglas Gathering . I'm excited to see the places I've been hearing about all my life.

Can you please put a registration link somewhere on the home page? It's rather hard to find!

I did find it, and I have sent in my registration.

There are two links to 'Bookings', however, as that was not clear I have added 'Register' to one of them.  Thank you for the suggestion.

Hi William

We are staying in Mayhill Road at the Smiths Guest House, if that helps with pick-up points.

Kim