The Sun.
London, England, 1851-09-15 00:00:00

THE GATHERING OF TEE
HIGHLAND CLANS. _ _

BresEman, FIUDAY.—The gathering of the clans
in olden times was "a great fact" in the national
history of Scotland. From the time the Earl of
Mar raked the standard of rebellion in 1715, almost
within gunshot of where Victoria now has her
Highland home, down to the fatal battle of Culloden,
the Highland clans were mustered in strong force
when the signal was passed through the glens. Now-
a-days we have a " gathering" once a year in the
" country of Marl.," but the signal to rally is the
olive branch, and the clansmen muster to show off
their Highland dress, and disport themselves in
harmless highland games.
The gathering of 1851 was a grand affeir. At
early dawn crowds of pedestrians were to be seen
wending their way to Castleton, most of them wear-
ing the Highland dress. By nine o'clock all sorts of
conveyances, from the ricketty cart to the splendid
barouche were arriving in the village, and groups of
the people were congregated at different points, some
dancing to the music of the bagpipe, and some trying
their hands at the caber or the stone.
About noon the Duff Highlanders passed through
the village, splendidly dressed in their clan tartans,
and handsomely accoutered for the sports of the day.
They were followed by the Duke of Leeds' retainers,
a fine body of men, beaded by their Duke as their
chief, in splendid costume. Then came the men of
Athol], the Queen's body guard in Scotland, led on
by the Duke of Atholl, and marching with music
and banners. The clan Farquharson mustered strongly
and in their elegant tartans were greatly admired.
They were headed by their chief, Mr. Farquharson,
of Invercauld.

The place chosen for the games was a spacious
lawn in the park, in front of the old castle of Marr—
once the hunting lodge of Malcolm Canmore. Here
the clans formed into three sides of a square, each
clan having its standard bearer in position and its
piper ready for the dance. The rear of the clans was
flanked by the carriages of the aristocracy who are
now in the district, and multitudes of the people Nile
had gathered to witness the games.
At one o'clock the terrace of the castle presented a
brilliant display of beauty and fashion, among whom
were the following :
From Balmoral—Colonel Phipps, the Hon. Alex-
ander Gordon, the Hon. Miss Byng, Dr. Baker, and
Dr. Robert2on. _ _

From Abergeldie—Captain Cuuper, Lady Augusta
Bruce, and Lady Frances Bruce.
From Invercauld—Mr. and Mrs. Farquharson and
family, their sons eleßantly dressed in the Highland
garb ' • Lord and Lady Charles Clinton ; the Hon.
Miss Murray, Miss Grant of Congleton, and Miss
Dalrymple of Logie Elphinstone.
From Marr Lodge—The Duke and Duchess of
Leeds, the Duke and Duchess of Athol], the Misses
Lane Fox, the Hon. Mr. Osborne, Captain and Airs.
Sutton, the Rev. Mr. Hudson, Colonel Hudson, and
Colonel Foster.
From Corriemulzie—Lady Agnes Duff and the
Misses Dun' and Master Duff, Sir James and Lady
Catherine Carnegie,
Sir Maxwell and Lady Wal-
lace, Mr. Brooke, Mr. W. Taller, Mr. JOllll
Blaikie, Sze.

The Queen and Prince Albert sent a donation of
5/. towards the prizes for the games, but, the Court
being in mourning, did not honour the gathering
with a visit. The Messrs. Duff, M.P., and Mr.
Ricardo, M.P., who are at Corriemulzie, and other
members of the Duff family, were absent out of
respect for the memory of General Duff, who had
always taken...a lively interest in the mustering of
the clans.

The games began about two o'clock, and for two
hours the Highlanders distinguished themselves by
strength of arm and agility of limb. A stone of 14lb.
weight was bowled as many yards with ease; a ham-
mer of 10). weight was thrown 69 feet 11 inches ; a
pole or tree, 15 feet high by 6 inches in diameter,
called the " caber," Wai poised with little effort and
tossed right end over end ; reels, Strathspeys, the
sword and other dances, were danced es none but the
Hiclhlanders here can dance them, and a foot race of
1,400 yards was contested by a dozen of Gillies. the
winner going over the ground in 51 minutes. For-
the foot race was upon a steep bill, but the
Queen having, with her usual consideration, suggested
that this was rather a dangerous game, the stewards
abandoned it for a race in the park, w bich was a most
exciting scene.

`The games being nearly over, a large party had lun-
cheon in the Castle, which was tastefully drcked with
evergreens, monograms of the Queen and Prince Al-
bert being interwoven with festoons of heather, bell,
the thistle, and the rose. Here also a ball was held at
night, where the peer and the peasant mingled in
joyous harmony ; and thus concluded the gathering of
the clans in the " country of Marr " for the year 1851.

COURT CIRCULAR.
BALMORAL, FRIDAY.
Her I►lsjesty and his RoyaliHighness Prince Albert,
accompanied by the Princess Royal and Princess
Alice, drove yesterday to Ballater.
The Marchioness of Douro was in attendance on
her Majesty. There was no addition to the Royal
dinner party yesterday.

SATURDAY.

Her Majesty, attended by the Hon. Miss Byng,
rode yesterday morning over to Alt na Giuthsacb,
where her Majesty will remain till this evening.
His Royal Highness Prince Albert went out deer-
stalking, and joined her Majesty in the evening at
Alt na Giuthsach.