Summer Gathering and Games Report 2016 by Andy Grant, Treasurer

[dropcap]A[/dropcap]s a member of the Clan Grant Society for many years and Treasurer for the last four, it is with some embarrassment that I tell you that this was the first summer gathering I have attended. There was always a reason – or excuse – not to make the effort, but this year we decided to take the plunge.

We drove up on the Wednesday; it was a long haul (440 miles) but when we finally reached our B&B (Kinross House) received a warm welcome by our hosts, Jane and Gary. After a refreshing cup of tea and delicious cake the journey did not seem so bad!

On Friday afternoon, we arrived at Nethy Bridge to help with the Clan Grant tent, which turned out to be more fun than hard work with the Chief and Judy desperately trying to explain how the thing went together! Before long it was up and looking good, ready for the next day’s games. Back to the B&B for a refreshing cup of tea and delicious cake before the evening “welcoming drinks” at Duthil Clan Grant Centre.

The weather on Saturday was good with only a couple of light showers during the day. We were both enthralled with the “Heavy” games: Caber, Hammer, and Shot-Put etc. But the highlight of the day was the Pipe band and Clan march into the grounds. Exhausted and parched, it was back to the B&B for… (you get the idea), and to get ready for the evening meal.

We arrived at the Grant Arms Hotel in Grantown-on-Spey for welcome drinks and a group photo followed by the piping in of the chief and the Selkirk Grace given by Sir Archie. The meal and company was excellent and replete with good food and wine, we were ushered out so that the room could be cleared ready for the Ceilidh.

This year, Judy had booked a five piece band called Blackrock Ceilidh and from the moment they started playing we all knew it was going to be a good night; they even got us up dancing! This was partly due to Judy pronouncing before every dance, “this one’s EASY”. Later in the evening the band were joined by Sir Patrick Grant, who showed us his extraordinary talents as a piper.

Sunday was reserved for tent removal and the AGM.

On Monday we, and several other society members, accepted Lady Fiona and Sir Archie’s invitation to visit Monymusk House, where we were given a brief history and tour around part of the House and grounds followed by afternoon tea and cake!

So that was our first summer gathering.

Did we enjoy it…? Absolutely!

Would we go again…? It’s already booked!