This weekend, for members of Clan Mackenzie from around the world, all roads lead to Strathpeffer. Susan Welsh reports
Hundreds of members of the Clan Mackenzie will follow in the bloody footsteps of their ancestors this Saturday and come face to face with their arch enemies, Clan Macdonald, at the scene of a historic battle between the two great clans.
But instead of blood, this time it’s drams that will be flowing.
Mackenzies from around the world will have been descending on Strathpeffer this week for the international gathering of the clan, an event organised by The Clan Mackenzie Society of Scotland & the UK.
David Broadfoot, whose granny was a Mackenzie from Tain, is one of the event organisers and said: “Every five years, Cabarfeidh (John Mackenzie, Earl of Cromartie) invites his cousins from around the world to come home to the Highlands and enjoy a week of special events. We’re expecting hundreds of people, which is terrific.
“I got involved last year and felt, very strongly, that in order for clan gatherings to survive, they need to move forward or heritage will not survive.”
David is a former military man whose work since then has included organising the sellout Westlife concert and wedding of Take That star Mark Owen at Cawdor Castle.
As a result, this clan gathering is featuring some rather special events, including a cutting-edge fashion show, a civic reception in Inverness Town House and a friendly re-enactment of a famous clan battle, Battle of Pairc.
“Friday will be Battle of Pairc Day, which will mark a seminal event in the clan’s history, when the Mackenzies repudiated the Lords of the Isles and, with their allies, defeated the Macdonalds and their allies near Loch Kinellan, to the west of Strathpeffer,” said David.
The Macdonalds have been invited to join the Mackenzies for a walk to the battlefield and to attend a seminar examining the historical context of the conflict.
“In the evening, members of both clans will march from either end of Strathpeffer and meet in the middle for a dram of reconciliation before they all march together to Castle Leod to enjoy a barbecue and ceilidh with the Feis Ross Ceilidh Band.”
“On the Thursday, there will be a very special fashion show featuring award-winning young designer Siobhan Mackenzie at the Strathpefer Pavilion. This brand-new collection features material donated by Johnstons of Elgin, Harris Tweed MacKenzie and, importantly, the 78th Highlanders Tartan, available only to clan members, hence the title of the collection, The 78th Highlanders.
“I believe this to be the first time that a clan has taken such a step, a step I believe that will help make such gatherings more relevant and help to promote the interest of the young in their heritage.”
Strathpeffer Highland Games will take place in the ground of Castle Leod this Saturday, August 8, and include a clan march past. It will be followed in the evening by a grand clan banquet in a marquee at the castle.
Sunday, the last day of the gathering, will begin with an ecumenical religious service and Kirking of the Tartan, in Strathpeffer Parish Church, and be followed by the AGM of the Clan Mackenzie Society of Scotland & the UK. In the afternoon, there will be tours of Castle Leod, the planting of a Gathering Tree, a farewell supper and, as darkness falls, the band of the Queens Own Highlanders Association will beat the retreat on the castle lawn before a lone piper on the castle battlements plays a lament as the Gathering Flame is extinguished.
“While this is a Mackenzie clan gathering, we hope many people will come along and join many of the events which are open to the public.”
The Clan Mackenzie Fashion Show, in aid of the British Heart Foundation, starts at 8pm tonight, Thursday, August 6. For tickets contact: 01997 420124.