Skye Gathering 2018
Thursday 11th
Welcome drinks at the Royal Hotel - Portree - 7.30pm
You'll be welcomed to the Gathering by the Clan MacNeacail Society of Scotland Chairman, Donnie Nicolson.
During the evening you will have the opportunity to buy tickets for the various events, there is no need to pre-book.
ScotClans will be exhibiting and selling MacNicol Clan & Tartan products. Shop
Friday 12th
9am Cuillin Hills Hotel, Urras Clann MacNeacail Trust meeting, Cuillin Hills Hotel
10.30am Raise the flag at Scorrybreac
Our Chief John MacNeacail of MacNeacail and Scorrybreac will raise his standard on the Clan land overlooking Portree.
11.30am - Open Clan meeting chaired by the Chief - John MacNeacail
2pm-3.30pm - Scorrybreac work party - An opportunity to get your hands dirty and carry out some maintenance on our land.
For those that don't feel up to the work party, your more that welcome to just join the group and spend some time on the land and enjoy a bit of craic! "Craic" Scottish term meaning - fun, entertaining and enjoyable conversation.
7pm till late - Dinner & Ceilidh at the Sligachan Hotel - Food - Music - Drinks - Dancing
Music by the James Stewart Trio - James Stewart on piano accordion, his father Sam Stewart on second box and Donald John Campbell on drums.
Sligachan Hotel which renowned for it's impressive collection of over 400 malts from every pocket of Scotland, the full gantry will please those who wish to sample some of Scotland's 'Uisge Beatha' (water of life). Proof of the bar's popularity lies it's title of 'WHISKY BAR OF THE YEAR', which it has maintained for four consecutive years. Dinner will be followed by a ceilidh dance.
Transport provided from Portree which is 9miles away.
Buses will be leaving Portree Square at 6.30pm and returning at 12am
Saturday 13th
Saint Columba's Isle
2pm A talk in Skeabost Hall by local historian Cailean Maclean 'St Columba Isle - The Place of Nicolson Chiefs'
2.45pm A visit to Saint Columba's Isle accompanied by a lone piper.
7.00pm - Royal Hotel - Portree.
A meal of haggis neaps and tatties followed by an evening of accordion music, ceilidh dancing, gaelic song, Highland dancers, and bagpipes.
Sunday 14th - 11am Leaving brunch at the Cuillin Hills - Portree
Brunch Menu
Warm Scotch Pancakes -Glava Syrup or Lemon and Sugar
Or
Poached Orchard Apples Toasted Oats, Crème Fraiche
Followed by
Fishermans Brunch Kegeree, Smoked Salmon, Fish Cake, Buttered Brown Bread
Or
All Day Breakfast Stornoway Black Pudding, Bacon, Pork Sausage, Hash Brown, Beans, Grilled Tomato, Mushroom
Drinks Menu
Alcohol Choices - Bloody Mary’s/Bucks Fizz
Fresh Fruit Juice Choices - Orange, Grapefruit, Cloudy Apple, Cranberry, Virgin Mary’s
£20 for 2 courses and £4.95 for the drinks package (per a person). Payable on the day
Guided walks (optional)
Friday 3pm and Saturday 11am - Walks can be booked at the Welcome Reception - £5 per person.
Portree is a bustling fishing town with painted buildings huddled round the harbour. It is the main town on Skye with a population of 3000 people.
Starting at the Skye Gathering Hall in Portree, Catriona your local guide will explain some of the history of Portree.
During the 1.5/2hr (2 mile) walk, you will discover some of the secrets of Portree. You will make our way up to the natural amphitheatre, known locally as the Lump, which is the site for the Highland Games, held here since 1877. The apothecary’s tower provides glorious 360 views which include the Cuillin Mountains to the south and the rock formation known as the Old Man of Storr in the north.
During the walk, you will see views across the Harbour to the Clan Nicolson land at Scorrybreac.
We will then continue along the coast towards Scorrybreac, the stronghold of the Clan MacNeacail for over 800 years, stopping at the Nicolson Viewpoint and Cairn
At the corner of the path you come to Battery Point, so-named because there was a gun emplacement here to protect Loch Portree during the Napoleonic Wars. This area of the Scorrybreac lands was the favorite view of Pam MacNeacail, the wife of our late Chief, Iain MacNeacail.
You will then return to the Square in Portree on the same path.
Your Guide will provide lots of information about Portree, Skye and the Clan Nicolson.
Boat Trips (optional)to book contact each company directly.
There are various boat trips that operate out of Portree Harbour, we recommend the following.
www.spindrift-boat-trips.co.uk
www.skyeboat-trips.co.uk
www.seaflowerskye.com
More information will be added in due course plus pricing. All events can be booked and paid for at the welcome drinks.
Please note that visiting Skye in October there will be the 'slight' chance of rain, so please bring appropriate clothing for the events that take place outdoors.