The Gathering

2009 is the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns (Scotland's national poet / bard). Visit Scotland has used this to plan activities throughout the year to draw tourists under the "coming home" theme. One of the biggest celebrations of the year is a 2 day celebration of celtic culture called 'The Gathering'. It happened yesterday and today (Sat July 25th & Sun July 26th).

Yesterday for Harriet's birthday she spent the day relaxing at the spa at the Fairmont St Andrews while I took the boys to Edinburgh to The Gathering for the day. There were highland games, chidren's races, celtic dancing, music, storytelling, dozens of clans with tents, food, and lots more. It was held beside Holyrood Park (the royal residence in Edinburgh) and Arthur's Seat (the large hill/mountain in the centre of the city).

Harrison and I put on our kilts (and I think I got one of the best pictures of Harrison ever standing on the side of Arthur's Seat). We saw many musicians but my favourite group was "The Red Hot Chilli Pipers" (a play on words from the more famous American Group). This band however is similarly innovative taking classic popular rock tunes and putting their own celtic spin on them with drums, guitar, and bagpipes ... super entertaining. Parker enjoyed the face-painting and rock-climbing.