The New York herald., 1851-10-02
The Gathering OF the Highland, Clans.

From q Braemar Letter, Sept. IL
The gathering of the clans in olden times was Q
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 of Culoden, the Highland clans were
mustered in strong force when the signal was pass
ed through the glens. Nowadays we have gath
ering once year in the country OF MARI, but
the signal to rally is the olive branch, and the
clansmen muster to show off their Highland dress,
games.
The gathering of 1851 was a grand affair. At
early dawn crowds of pedestrians were to be seen
vending their way to Castleton, most Of them wear
ing the Highland dress By 9 o'clock, all sorts Of
barouche, were arriving in the village and groups
OF people were cengregated at die points, some
dancing to the music Of the bagpipe. and some try
ing their hands at the cabsr or the stone.
About the Duff Highlauders pass I'd through
tn, village pendidly dressed in their clan tartans
and handsomely aoeoutred for the sports Of the
reiainers,. a fine body Of men, headed BY the Duke
as their chief, in splendid costume. Then came
the men of Atboll, the Queens body guard Ia
Scotland led on by the Duke Of Atholl, and march
son mustered strongly, and in their elegant tartans
were greatly admired. They we're headed by their
chief. Mr.. Farquharson, of lnveroauld.
The place chosen for the games was "a. spacious y
Marr-once the hunting lodge of Malcolm 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 tho
cl ans was anked the carriages the arstocracy
who are now in the district, and multitudes OF the
people who 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 Balm oral-Colonel Phipps, the Hon. Alex
snder Gordon, the Hon. Miss Byng, DR.. Baker, and
DIR. Robe rtson.
From Abergeldie-Capt. Couper, Lady Augusta
Bruce, and Lady Frances Bruce.
From nvercauld-Mr. and Mrs. Farquharson and
family their elegantly dressed in the Highland
Miss Murray, Miss Grant, Of Congleton, and Miss
Frem Mari Lodge--fhe 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, Colonel Hudson, and Colonel
Foster.
Misses Duff and Master Duff, Sir James and Lady
Catherine Carnegie, Sir Maxwell and Lady Wal.
lace, Mr.. Brooke, Mr.. w. Tayler, Mr. John Blai-
kie, sc.
The @ Queen and Prince Albert sent donation Of
G25 towards the prizes for the games but the Court
being in mourning, did not honor the gathering
with visit. The Mossrs. Duff, M. p, and
Ricardo, NJ. F., who are at Corremuxie, and other
members of the Duff family, were absent out Of
respect fer the memory Of General Duff, who had
always taken lively interest in the mastering Of
the clans.
hours tie Highlanders disting gushed themselves BY
strength of arm and agility of limb: A stone Of
14lb. weight was bowled as many yards with ease;
hammer of l6lb. weight was thrown SO feet ii
inches; pole or tree Is feet high by 8 inches in
diameter called the ''csber, was poised with little
effort and tossed right end end; reels, strath-
speys, the sword and other dances, were danced as
none but the hghlanders hero can dance them, and
foot race of 400 yards was contested by dozen
oc gilies, the winner going over the ground In %
minutes. Formerly the foot race was upon steep
hl but the Queen having, with her usual conside-
ration, suggested that this was rather dangerous
game, tho stewards abandoned it for race In the
| park, which was a most exciting scene.
The games being nearly over, large party had
luncheon in the CASTLE which tastefully decked
with evergreens, monograms Of the Queen and
! Prince Albert being interwoven with festoons Of
heather, bell the thistle, and the rose Here also .
ball held at night, where the peer and the pea
SAINT mingled injoyous harmony; and thus concluded
the gathering of the clans in the country Of MARI
for the year 1851.