The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-10-08
Il From the Braemer Letter, Sept. IL.
Tho Gathering Of the Highland Claus.


From the Braemer Letter, Sept. IL.
The Gathering Of the Highland Claus.
The gathering of the clans in olden times
was "great fact" in the national history Of
Scotland. From the time the Earl OF Mar
raised the standard of rebellion in l7l5, almost
within gunshot of where Victoria now has her
Highland home, down to the fatal battle or
Culloden, the Highland clans were mustered in
strong force when the signal was passed
through the glens. Nowadays we have gath
erirg once year in the "country of MARI" but
the signal to rally is the olive branch, and the
cansmen muster to show off their Hghlar
dress, and disport themselves in harmless High
land games
The gathering Of 1851 was grand affair.
At early dawn crowds of pedestrians were to be
seen vending their way to Castleton, most OF
them wearing the Highland dress. BY 8
o'clock, all sorts of conveyances, from the
ricketty cart to the splendid barouche, were
arriving in the vill,ge, and groups Of 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.
q About noon the Duff Highlanders passed
through the village, splendidly dressed in their
clan tarrans, and handsomely accoutred for the
sports Of the day. They were followed by the
Duke of Leeds retainers, fine body of men,
headed by the duke as their chief, in splendid
costume. Then came the men Of Atholl, the
Queens body guard in Scotland, led on by
the Duke of Athol and marching with music
and banners The elan Farquharson mustered
strongly, and in their elegant tartans were
greatly admired They were headed by their
chief, Mr.. Farquharson, of Inverclaud.
The place chosen for the games was spa
cious Ia vn in the park, in the front Of the old
castle Of Marr-once the hunting lodge Of Nal
colin Canmore Here the clans formed into three
sides Of square, each clan having its standard
bearer in position, and its piper ready for the
dance. The rear of the clans was fanked by
the carriages of the arstocracy, who are now in
the district, and multitudes of the people who
had gathered to witness the games.
81 AT one o'clock, tile terrace of the castle pre-
scented a brilliant dsplry of beauty and fashion,
among whom were the following:
From Balmorul-Col. Phipps, the Hon. Alex
ander Gordon, the Hon. Miss Byng DIR. Baker,
and DR.. Robertson.
From Ambergeldie- Capt. Couper, Lady Au-
gusta Bruce, and Lady Frances Bruce.
From Invercauld-ilr and Mrs. Farqnharson
and family, their sons elegantly dressed in the
Highland garb; Lord and Lady Cbarl' Clinton,
the Hon. Miss Murray, Miss Grant, of Congle-
From Mari Lodge-The Duke and Duchess
of Leeds, the Duchess Of Atholl, the Misses
Lane Fox the Hon. Mr.. Osborne, Capt and Mrs.
Sutton, the Rev. Mr.. Hudson, Col Hudson, and
Col. Foster.
From Corriemulzie-Lsdy Agnes Duff and
the Misses Duff and Master Duff, Sir James and
Lady Catherine Carnegie, Sir Maxwell and Lady
Wallace, Mr.. Brooke, Mr.. w. Taylor, MIR. John
Blaikie, &c.
The Queen and Prince Albert scnt donation
of f25 towards the prizes for the games, but
the court being in mourning. did not honor the
gathering with visit. The Messrs. Duff NJ.
p, and Ricardo, M. p, who are at Corriemulzie,
and other members of the Duff family, were alb
sent out Of respect for the memory OF General
Duff, who had always taken lively interest In
the mastering of the clans.
The games began about o'clock, and for two
hours the Highlanders distinguished themselves
by strength Of arm and agility Of limb. A stone
Of I4lb. weight was bowled rs many yards with
ease; hammer of LIB. weight was thrown 90
feet III inches; pole or tree 10 feet high by q
inches in diameter, called the "caber," was poised
with little effort, and tossed right end over end
reels, strathspeys, the sword and other dances,
were danced ms none but the Highlanders here
can dance them, and foot-race Of 400 yards
was contested by a dozen of gillies, the winner
going over the ground in 81 minutes. Formerly
the foot-rsce was upon n steep hill, but the
Queen having, with her usual consideration, sug-
pested that this was rather dangerous game,
the stewards abandoned IL for race In the park,
which was n most exciting scene.
The games being nearly over, large party had
luncheon in the castle, which was tastefully
decked with eyergreens, monographs Of the
Queen and Prince Albert being interviewer with
festoons OF heather BELL the thistle, and the rose
Here also ball was held Mt night, where the
peer and the peasant mingled in joyous harmony;
and thus concluded the gathering Of the clans in
the country Of Mari for the year 1851.