Commemorative prints of Doug Keister's photographs are now available to buy. Visit Doug's website for details.

The pictures are also viewable on the Maclean website and here are some of the other photographs, taken by those who were at the Gathering.

With only 18 days to go before things "kicked off" in Tobermory for the 2007 Gathering, we installed this blog so that all cousins could follow what was happening there. Thanks to Alasdair, our president, for sharing his daily commentary and pictures with those of us who were unable to attend.

Gathering – some seven hundred Macleans from all over the world Gathered at Duart Castle to be welcomed by the Chief, Lady Mary, and the family. The weather held dry and the wind kept off the midges and a splendid day was had by all .

» Read More

Today was a big day – the presidents of the various Clan Maclean Associations around the world met for the only face-to-face CMIA meeting held in the five-year cycle. Col Donald handed over the presidency of the CMIA to Duncan of Nevada after eight years in the role.
Then it was off to the Clan Congress, chaired by the Chief, Sir Lachlan Maclean, to hear reports on the activities of the Associations and to listen to Rev Alan of Dochgarroch outline the work of the Heritage Trust over the last five years. – there has been some pretty impressive stuff achieved including a major donation to the restoration of Moy Castle, the ancestral seat of the Maclaines of Lochbuie.

» Read More

If it were possible, I'd be there. I'd hoped, at least, to make it for the main event but life can be a sair fecht! I deeply regret missing the opportunity to meet everyone but Alasdair's pictures and commentary have helped a little. Some other time, perhaps.

I hope that you've thoroughly enjoyed your time on Mull and look forward to reading your comments on the experience, here.

All the Best!
Ian

What wonderful weather!!! Glorious sun and no wind. On the way out of the Hall I came across Laura Schweitzer (daughter of the Judge! – Sandy Mclean who was appointed to the bench by Arnold Schwartzneger)

» Read More

The day dawned VERY wet – the sort of rain that reminds you why raincoats were called “waterproofs”. As far as we were concerned this was not going to be a problem except that it would mean a day with a wet dog. A huge Scottish breakfast set us up well and we ventured forth for the Aros Hall and another day talking to people about history and ancestry. The trouble was that we were now on “island time” and thus late. Oh well. I wasn’t concerned but I found I was the only one with a key – oops!

» Read More

Tuesday saw the start of the main registration period with something like 300 people checking in and collecting their registration packs. Most of these seemed to want to talk about their history or their ancestors and so Jean, Ian and I spent most of the day on our feet talking. Despite the huge flows of people (“…my g-g-g-grandfather emigrated from Mull in 1710 – can you tell me anything about him?”) we did manage to get out into the sunshine on occasion but out on the street everyone seemed to be called Maclean – I wonder why.

» Read More

The 1300 km drive north was accomplished without serious issue – the dog didn’t like it much but he enjoyed the visit to the battlefield of Otterburn (where the Scots under the command of James, Earl of Douglas, singed the beard of Sir Harry “Hotspur” Percy in 1383). It was odd but as we got further north the weather got worse but as we crossed the Great Glen (the “valley” between Glasgow and Edinburgh) the Highlands was bathed in sunshine.

» Read More