Greetings Fellow MacRaes!

 

Many of you have heard that 2009 is going to be a spectacular year for anyone with MacRae blood to visit Scotland.  Not only will Edinburgh host the greatest clan gathering the world has ever seen with The Gathering 2009, but Clan MacRae of Scotland will be hosting their international Clan MacRae Gathering the following weekend.  There is no doubt that 2009 is the year to go to Scotland!  Bruce and I are planning another tour and we would love to have you join us.  We expect this tour to sell out and we already have 24 people signed up with deposits paid.  If you have any interest in going on this trip, we are asking you to email us and let us know!  Also, if you know for sure that you cannot attend this trip, then let us know that too and we will not send you any additional email announcements.  Here is some additional information:

 

The official tour dates are from July 24th to August 7th, 2009.    

 

July 24th - 26th - 3 nights Edinburgh (all activities for Edinburgh Gathering included)

July 27th - 30th - 4 nights Stirling

July 31st - Aug 2nd - 3 nights Dornie area (all activities for Clan MacRae Gathering included) 

Aug 3rd and 4th - 2 nights Orkney Islands

Aug 5th - 1 night Inverness

Aug 6th - 1 night Glasgow

 

The trip starts with The Gathering 2009 in Edinburgh.  Everyone who joins our tour will get a Gold Passport to the events.  The Passport include two days entrance to the games (there will be a Clan MacRae tent), a spot in the Clan Parade up the Royal Mile and a seat in the east wing of the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle for a phenomenal Clan Pageant.  Here beneath Edinburgh's ancient castle ramparts, a spectacular clan pageant will unfold. Pipers, massed bands and highland dancers will trace the history of the development of the clans through the ages in what promises to be a truly memorable experience.  It will have the look and feel of the Edinburgh Tattoo except that we think it will be better!  

 

Then that Monday morning, there will be a Clan MacRae event to reenact the march up Arthur's Seat with Jimi the Piper leading the way.  That afternoon, we will head north to a memorial service at the Sheriffmuir battlefield site.  During the next week, we will be staying in Stirling and doing day trips from there.  There will be attractions to suit everyone.  Iain, our endearing tour guide, will be back with us and he is helping us plan those days.

 

Then on Friday morning, we take off for the Highlands.  We arrive in Dornie in time for lunch and the registration for the Clan MacRae Gathering events.  Our tour will take in all clan activities which they are working to finalize.  There will be trips of local interest during the day on Saturday and then that evening, we will attend the Clan MacRae Banquet and Ceilidh.  The Gathering will end with a memorial Sunday service at Clachan Duich.

 

IMPORTANT - This tour is inclusive of the two big activities - the Edinburgh Games and the Clan MacRae Gathering.  If you join our tour, do not buy tickets for these events for we are purchasing them for all tour participants.  

 

Then that Sunday afternoon, we will head north for a tour of the Orkney Islands.  The Orkneys are a fantastic blend of Neolithic, Bronze Age, Pictish, Celtic, Norse and Scottish peoples who have made their way there adding their own layers to its rich history.  From the Orkneys, we will make our way down to Glasgow through Inverness and will enjoy a Farewell Banquet.  Then on Friday morning, it will be time to depart for home.  That will give everyone a weekend at home before returning to work.

 

We are accepting deposits in the amount of $750 per person.  We do not have the price of the tour finalized yet, but we are estimating between $2300 - $2500 per person.  Please remember that the cost for the two big gatherings is included and there is no profit involved.  If you know you want to go on the 2009 tour, then please send a deposit of $750 per person deposit to guarantee your spot.  Deposit checks should be made payable to Judy McRae and mailed to:

 

Judy McRae

682 Ridgeside Dr.

Golden, CO  80401

 

The tour is first-come first-served and participants will have until January 1, 2009 to cancel and receive all deposit money back should something arise.  We will soon be announcing this tour to other Clan MacRae Societies in other countries, so let us hear from you if you are wanting to go!  Feel free also to contact us should you have additional questions or need more information. 

 

Scotland in 2009!

Bruce and Judy McRae

303-670-9611