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Clan Donald Magazine Online Edition
Clanranald Gathering at Arisaig by
Lt Col Rod & Diane Allen
The
Arisaig Highland Games and Clanranald Gathering
were held at Traigh Farm, about 3 miles west of Arisaig village on
27 July 2005. Traigh, with its beautiful white sands, is part of the
old district of South Morar and rests amid some of the most glorious
scenery of the west Highlands.
This was the 70th year of the Games, and they
have recently been re-designated as the Arisaig Highland Games
and Clanranald Gathering, in honour of Clanranald's invaluable
contribution to these Games and the ancient patrimony of the
Clanranald. The Games are sister Games with the widely-acclaimed
Loch Norman Games in North Carolina.
Clanranald was Chief of the Games and was accompanied
by his Lieutenant, Lt Col Rod Allen (Commissioner Clan Donald North
Carolina) and Diane Allen. Clanranald's son, Andrew of Boisdale also
sailed up to the Games in the Galley Aileach. There was a parade through the village
before the games at 11:00 am and a Clan Donald tent provided Clan
information and hospitality to the numerous drouthy visitors
throughout the glorious summer's day.
The programme of events included Piping, Highland Dancing, Heavy
competitions, Track and Field events and children�s races. There
were both Open and Local competitions in the Piping, Dancing and
Track and Field events.
The Games are held on the last Wednesday of July each
year, the next games are projected to be on the 26th July 2006. The
web site for updated information is
here and Clanranald and I extend a warm invitation to all
clansfolk to join us at the gathering next year.
Birlinn Chlann Ragnhaill: Clanranald himself pictured with the
Galley Aileach at Traigh.
Clanranald opens the games flanked by oarsmen from
the Aileach.
On the stage, left
to right: Rod Allen; his wife, Diane; Elizabeth
MacDonald; Val Smith; a local Banner Bearer for
Clanranald; Mr.Cameron; The Captain of Clanranald;
Ronald Groen; Hector MacDonald (India); a local
photographer; a local Banner Bearer; Malcolm White
(leaning forward) of Clan Gregor; Somerled Macdonald,
son of Andrew Macdonald of Boisdale; Off-stage: Alistair
MacDonald (Hector's son) with his oar; Delphine
Macdonald, wife of Andrew of Boisdale; Andrew Macdonald
of Boisdale, son of the Captain of Clanranald.
Clanranald in full flow opening the Games.
The Clan Donald Tent.
Left to right:
Alistair MacDonald (Glencoe Heritage Trust); his wife,
Ros MacDonald; Allan MacDonald (President, Arisaig Games
Committee): Val Smith (Clan Cameron and Clan Donald,
Australia); Elizabeth MacDonald, (Allan's wife), also
with the Arisaig Games Committee; The Captain of
Clanranald; a kindly local Games tent contributor; Rod
Allen (Lieutenant to Clanranald and NC Commissioner);
his wife, Diane (NC Convenor) and David Cameron of Clan
Cameron.
The Aileach, anchored just off-shore, valiantly
sailed up to the Games by Boisdale and crew.
The beautiful setting of the Games at Traigh Farm,
gazing across the shores.
Photos by Lt Col Rod & Diane Allen and Ms Maureen
McGillivray.
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