Scott Clan Gathering 2014 - Scotland

River Tweed at Abbotsford House

It was very special to return to Scotland in June and attend a gathering of Scott Clan which was held between Bowhill House, the Borders home to the Chief of Clan Scott, Duke Richard Scott and Abbotsford House, historic home of Sir Walter Scott.

Desk and Study Where Sir Walter Scott Did Much of His Writing.

Abbotsford Historic Home of Sir Walter Scott

Abbotsford being newly restored with the addition of an interpretative centre and the conversion of a family wing into accommodation has put the operation on the tourist radar once again as a top literary mecca and now, a wedding venue.

Hope Scott Wing

The accommodation wing was added to the historic house by Sir Walter's granddaughter, and is now called the Hope Scott Wing.


It was a very special opportunity to stay in the Hope Scott Wing, along with other members of Clan Scott Society.

The Sir Walter Scott room at Bowhill House

Bowhill House

Events included two days of touring Scott Country in the Scottish Borders, with knowledgeable guides and special events and dinners hosted at both Bowhill and Abbotsford.

Tours of both houses - real treasure houses - set in the countryside, remains a major highlight.

With Scotts in attendance from around the world, it was a reminder how Scotland remains an important ancestral connection for many Scottish families no matter how many generations ago their ancestors left to pursue new opportunities in distant lands.

To be warmly welcomed back to an area that remains so rich in ancestral area for Scotts was much appreciated.

Bowhill House

Homecoming Scotland 2014

The word is out - Homecoming Scotland 2009 was a spectacular success and now it's time to begin planning a similar set of events in 2014. The Government of Scotland announced recently that 2014 has been designated as the 2nd Homecoming Scotland year-long event to involve the broad Scottish Diaspora in events taking place in the homeland.

Homecoming 2014 will take place in the year that Scotland hosts the Commonwealth Games and the Ryder Cup and marks the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn.

More information is available at from the Scottish Government.

Clan Scott was a participant in Homecoming Scotland 2009.

Historic Clan Scott Sites - Aikwood Tower - Scotts of Harden

The lands of Aikwood were granted, in 1517, on behalf of the infant King James V, to Maister Michael Scott, namesake of the thirteenth century scholar on whom the legends of wizardry are founded. Previously, Aikwood had been one of the forest steadings in the Royal Forest of Ettrick: the outright grant may indicate that Michael Scott had performed some special service.

The tower and farm - the last of the Harden properties in Ettrick - were sold to the Duke of Buccleuch during the post-WW II period. In 1989, Sir David Steel (now Lord Steel of Aikwood) along with Lady Steel bought the tower, and adjacent garden ground and restored it as their home. It had been 200 years since the tower had been lived in.

Articles on this transformation include pictures of the house.
Article 1
Article 2


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Clan Scott Gathering - Program of Events

The schedule has been updated -- Check it out

Clan Scott Society Gathering 2009

Check out the new site at Homecoming Scotland 2009 specifically for
Clan Scott Society Gathering 2009

Clan Scott Society Gathering - 2009 - Bowhill - Scotland

New items were recently added to the schedule of events.

The following item is now showing in the calendar of events:

Sunday 27 Sept 2009 11.30
Open Air Ecumenical Service - admission free (collection)
Above St Marys Loch

as well details regarding an event the same afternoon is now more complete

Sun 27 Sept 2009 1pm Walks round Estate,
display of Buccleuch Fox Hounds, Ox roast BBQ to bid farewell to the Scotts.
- £10 location - Bowhill Courtyard

Booking for this event can be made through the booking site
http://www.thebooth.co.uk/

Ticket Booking Update

The ticket booking system for Clan Scott Gathering being held at Bowhill House and Country Estate in September 2009 is now working well. Instructions on the Bowhill site provide directions to type in the term Clan Scott in the search box at the top of the page above the map of Scotland at the ticket site.
http://www.thebooth.co.uk/

This will produce the full list of events. This method is much easier to access than the method I had listed (below) last evening. Some of these events are free to overseas members of Clan Scott Society and they are listed among the ticketed items so be sure to check out the way to register for the free events, by email if you qualify. The events and email address is listed in the blog entry below.

Provisional Programme for Clan Scott Gathering—Wed 23rd—Sun 27th September

NOTE :
On-line booking of tickets will be available from 9th January, 2009 through the Bowhill website.

There has been an addition to the Bowhill House and Country Estate site. Including a Provisional Programme that may be of interest to those planning a trip to the Clan Scott Gathering in Scotland between the 24th and 27th September 2009.

The Bowhill House & Country Estate site now has the details in pdf format through the following link.
The details have been copied (without the original formatting) below

Bowhill House and Country Estate
www.bowhill.org

Provisional Programme for Scott Clan Gathering at Bowhill

24 – 27 September 2009

Wednesday September 23, 2009
Evening Welcome with traditional music and light supper for overseas guests - location: County Hotel, Selkirk
Free to overseas Clan Scott members on application to bht@buccleuch.com
Tickets limited to 50 people

Thursday September 24, 2009 10am-5pm
Bus Tour of Scott Country - visits to Abbotsford, Melrose, Aikwood Tower and Dryburg
£10, including light lunch of local produce.
- location: Around the Scottish Borders

Thursday September 24, 2009 7:30 pm
Theatre Performance The Ragged Lion presented by Rowan Tree Theatre Company
£10 (numbers limited to 70)
- location: Bowhill Theatre

Friday September 25, 2009 2-5 pm
Tours of Bowhill House - Bowhill House and tea with 10th Duke of Buccleuch. 4 tours with tickets limited to 20 per tour.
£15 80 tickets in total Timed Tickets
- location: Bowhill House

Friday September 25 1:30-4:30
Ranger led tours of Bowhill Woodlands. 3 tours with tickets limited to 40 per tour
£5 120 tickets in total Timed Tickets
- location: Bowhill Country Estate

Friday September 25 7 pm
Reception Dinner at Abbotsford for overseas guests
£40 Limited to 40
Abbotsford House, Melrose. Transport provided to and from Selkirk

Friday September 25 7:30 pm
Theatre Performance The Ragged Lion presented by Rowan Tree Theatre Company
£10 (numbers limited to 70)
- location: Bowhill Theatre

Friday September 25 7:30 pm
Concert and Ceilidh Dancing, singing, entertainment.
£10
- location: Victoria Hall, Selkirk

Saturday September 26, 2009 10 am - 4 pm
Tented Village: local crafts, Genealogy, Clan Parade, Storytelling, Re-enactment of Carterhaugh Ba’ Game and much more
£10 per car, Free for overseas Clan Scott members on application to to bht@buccleuch.com
- location Bowhill Gardens and Estate

Saturday September 26, 2009 7:30 pm
Evening Concert with SCOCHA – traditional Scottish folk rock band
£10
- location Bowhill Gardens

Saturday September 26, 2009 7:30 pm
Theatre Performance The Ragged Lion presented by Rowan Tree Theatre Company
£10 (numbers limited to 70)
- location: Bowhill Theatre

Sunday September 27, 2009 1 pm
Walks round Estate, display of Buccleuch Fox Hounds, Ox roast BBQ to bid farewell to the Scotts. For Scott Clan members.
Free to overseas Clan Scott members on application to bht@buccleuch.com
- location Bowhill Courtyard

Local Accommodation Providers - near Bowhill Country House & Estate

There has been an addition to the Bowhill House and Country Estate site. Including a listing of local accommodation providers that may be of interest to those planning a trip to the Clan Scott Gathering in Scotland between the 24th and 27th September 2009.

Selkirk Area (Approx 2.8 miles)

Hotels

The Glen Hotel http://www.glenhotel.co.uk/ Tel. 01750 20259

B&B’s/Guesthouses

Cross Keys Inn http://www.cross-keys-inn.co.uk Tel. 01750 52224
Ivy Bank B&B http://www.ivy-bank-bed-and-breakfast.co.uk/ Tel. 01750 21270


Galashiels Area (Approx 10 miles)

B&B’s/Guesthouses

Craigielea Guest House http://www.craigieleaborders.co.uk Tel. 01896 753838
Sunnybrae B&B http://www.sunnybrae.co.uk/ Tel. 01896 758042

Melrose Area (Approx 10 miles)

Hotels

Burts Hotel http://www.burtshotel.co.uk Tel. 01896 822285
The Townhouse http://www.thetownhousemelrose.co.uk Tel. 01896 822645

B&B’s/Guesthouses

Braidwood B&B http://www.braidwoodmelrose.co.uk/ Tel. 01896 822488
Fiorlin B&B http://www.melroseaccommodation.co.uk
Fauhope House http://www.fauhopehouse.com Tel. 01896 823184

Hawick Area (Approx 14 miles)

B&B’s/Guesthouses

Hizzy’s Guest House http://www.hizzys.co.uk/ Tel. 01450 372101

Additional information on Clan Scott Gathering in Scotland

There has been an addition to the Bowhill House and Country Estate site. Including a revision to the

• Provisional Programme of Events, and
• Local Accommodation

As well the date on which registration will begin has been announced, on-line booking of tickets will be available from 9th January 2009

Clan Scott Society Gathering - 2009 - Bowhill - Scotland

As part of Homecoming Scotland 2009, Bowhill is hosting a Clan Scott Society Gathering between the 24th and 27th of September 2009. Details are now available on the various events.

The Bowhill House & Country Estate site now has the details in pdf format through the following link.
The details have been copied (without the original formatting) below

Bowhill House and Country Estate
www.bowhill.org

Provisional Programme for Scott Clan Gathering at Bowhill

24 – 27 September 2009

Wednesday September 23, 2009
Evening Welcome with traditional music and supper - location County Hotel, Selkirk

Thursday September 24, 2009
All Day Bus Tour of Scott Country - Around the Scottish Borders (preference given to Scott Clan members)

Thursday September 24, 2009
Evening Theatre Performance Bowhill Theatre (numbers limited to 72)

Friday September 25, 2009
Afternoon Tours of Bowhill House - Bowhill House and tea with 10 Duke of Buccleuch (tickets limited)

Friday September 25
Afternoon Ranger led tours of Bowhill Country Estate - Bowhill Woodlands

Friday September 25
Evening Reception Dinner at Abbotsford (Scott Clan only)

or Traditional Music Supper in Selkirk - location County Hotel, Selkirk

Saturday September 26, 2009
All Day Tented Village: local crafts, Genealogy, Clan Parade, Storytelling, Re-enactment of Carterhaugh Ba’ Game
(open to all) - location Bowhill Gardens and Estate

Saturday September 26, 2009
Evening Concert with SCOCHA – traditional Scottish folk rock band (open to all) - location Bowhill Gardens

Sunday September 27, 2009
All day Walks round Estate, display of Buccleuch Fox Hounds, Ox roast BBQ to bid farewell to the Scotts
(open to all) - location Bowhill Gardens and Estate

(Pricing and further details to follow)

Bowhill - site of Clan Scott 2009 Gathering

The choice of Bowhill House & Country Estate as the location of the Clan Scott 2009 Gathering is most appropriate for a clan with strong roots in the Borders.

The Scott surname in both the current century and historically is most prevalent within Scotland in the areas just north of the Firth of Forth (including County Angus) and throughout most of southern Scotland.


The Borders are the homeland of the clan in both legend and reality and Bowhill is one of the homes of Clan Chief, Richard Scott, the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry. Described as the first international gathering of Clan Scott at Bowhill, it will also be an inaugural opportunity for the new chief since Duke Richard succeeded his late father John Scott, the 9th Duke of Buccleuch, in 2007, who had also served as clan chief.

Clan Scott -- The Gathering 2009

Additional information on the international Clan Scott Gathering in Scotland is available both on the Official Homecoming Scotland site and on the Clan Scott Society's page dedicated to the 2009 Clan Scott Gathering

The dates have been set beginning on Thursday, September 24, it continues through Sunday, September 27, 2009.

Homecomingscotland2009.com

Clan Scott Society Gathering 2009

As published by The Herald - June 17, 2008 in an article called Piping up for a welcome home

September 24-27

Clan Scott Society Gathering 2009

First international gathering of the Scott clan at its ancestral Borders home in Bowhill; includes historical re-enactment, archery displays and the performance of a play about Sir Walter Scott.