AD | Atholl Highlanders Parade and Gathering Set to Return at Blair Castle 24-25 May
The Atholl Highlanders Parade & Gathering will this year take place over the weekend of Saturday 24, and Sunday 25th of May. The annual weekend-long event encompasses a parade of colour, spectacle, and pageantry, together with a fun-filled community day of traditional Highland Games competition in the grounds of Blair Castle
The weekend’s proceedings start off at 11am in Blair Castle Ballroom, with an informative, ticketed talk (£5 per adult) on the history of the Atholl Highlanders, with CSM Garry Brailsford, together with Castle Archivist, Keren Guthrie, on hand to provide lots of insight into the role and place of the Highlanders in the Castle’s history over the centuries.
At 2.30pm, the Atholl Highlanders will muster at Blair Castle, their ancestral home. Marching under the command of RSM Graham Jack and Major Aubyn Stewart-Wilson, the officers will fall in, before an official inspection by Major General Robin Lindsay, CBE, Regimental Colonel of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.
Following the Atholl Highlanders arriving on Parade, a general salute of field gun fire will take place, before the Parade Commander orders the Colours to be marched on. The Parade will finish with music from the Highlander’s Pipe Band, a march past and salute to the inspecting officer, and the presentation of Juniper, Awards and Trophies by The Marquis of Tullibardine.
An audience of both local people, together with visitors from all over the world, is expected at the Castle to witness proceedings.
Sunday’s Highland Games Gathering, formally opened by Michael Murray, Marquis of Tullibardine, kicks off with the impressive local heavyweights competition, followed by piping and highland dancing competitions, and an open heavyweights competition. All the usual elements of a vibrant highland games are included, such as the light hammer, the shot put, the caber farmer’s walk, and wrestling. Local people can join in with the family races, dancing, and tug o’ war, whilst the Highlanders will take part in their own “dash”.
“It's come round to that time of the year again when we announce the itinerary for our fantastic and eagerly anticipated Atholl Highlanders Parade and Gathering,” said Jess Reid, Marketing Manager for Blair Castle and Atholl Estates.
“Traditionally held at the end of May, it’s one of the most popular events we stage, steeped in tradition, but also a lot of fun for people of all ages to watch, and, as regards the highland games, to take part in, testing themselves both physically and mentally.”
“We are hoping that the weather will be good, as we've been enjoying such a lovely spring,” Jess continued.
“The Atholl Highlanders have got lots of stories to tell, having been on a spring tour of the United States back in April, but parading here at Blair Castle is what they do best, and what they very much love to do. They know this is an event that attracts people from far and wide, many with a connection to the castle, the estate, or to the Murray Clan.”
“We look forward to welcoming as many people as possible to our beautiful castle, and its grounds,” she finished. “For the employees who work here year-round, it really doesn't get better than this weekend when the whole castle is in the spotlight.”
For further details, specific timings, and prices, please visit https://atholl-estates.co.uk/events/atholl-highlanders-parade/ and https://atholl-estates.co.uk/events/atholl-gathering/
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