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Top Scottish Music Stars Set to Appear at The Gathering Clan Currie to Gather in Edinburgh to Celebrate 50th Anniversary
Some of the biggest names in Scottish music including Julie Fowlis and Capercaillie are to perform at the Scottish Festival and Highland Games at The Gathering 2009 which takes place on July 25 and 26, 2009. Jenny Gilmour, Co-director of The Gathering 2009 said: “The Scottish music scene is so incredibly vibrant and varied, and we are delighted to be joined by some of the biggest artists in the business. Whatever your age or your musical taste, we are sure the audience will be entertained by the calibre of musicians playing over the weekend.” Appearing on Saturday is one of the hottest young talents on the Celtic music scene, Julie Fowlis. In just a few years, she has gathered a large following which includes several celebrities, and KT Tunstall has described her voice as "formidable and amazingly rhythmic". Julie remains true to her Herbridean roots, taking centuries-old Gaelic songs to a new audience across the world. Named BBC Radio 2 Folk Singer of the Year 2008, Julie is the only artist to have been twice voted Gaelic Singer of the Year at the Scots Trad Music Awards. Leading band Capercaillie will be playing on Sunday, the second day of the festival in the park. Capercaillie have sold over a million albums, and performed in more than 30 countries. Vocalist and co-founder Karen Matheson is considered to be one of the finest Gaelic singers in the world and has been described by Sir Sean Connery as having "a throat that is surely touched by God". Capercaillie wrote the music for, and appeared in, the Hollywood movie "Rob Roy".
The Battlefield Band is appearing on both days of the event which is part of the Homecoming Scotland 2009 celebrations. The band have been at the forefront of the Scottish music revival for 30 years, bringing the rich heritage of Celtic music into today’s cultural scene, mixing old songs and music with their own repertoire, all played on a fusion of ancient and modern instruments. The Red Hot Chilli Pipers will also be adding spice to both days of The Gathering 2009. Described as “the new jock and roll”, the winners of BBC One’s primetime show ‘When Will I be Famous’ have been putting their modern spin on piping since 2004, stunning audiences from New York to Beijing with their passion and quality musicianship. Their unique style earned them the title of ‘Live Act of the Year 2007’ at the Scots Trad Music Awards.
The Gathering and Clan Currie The Gathering 2009 (25th - 26th July, Holyrood Park, Edinburgh) will take the form of the largest international clan gathering ever held in Scotland, and will be one of the key events of Homecoming Scotland. It is estimated that there will be over 80 clan tents, with around 7500 clan and Scottish association members from around the world. In addition to celebrating all things Scottish, The Gathering will also play host to a very special celebration in the life of Clan Currie. 2009 will mark the 50th anniversary of the founding of the contemporary Society in Glasgow, Scotland. Col. William McMurdo Currie formed the first Clan Currie Society in Glasgow, Scotland in 1959. One of the many highlights of the weekend will be a clan parade up the Royal Mile culminating in a clan pageant on the magnificent esplanade of Edinburgh Castle. This event is being designed to replicate the Highland Review of 1822, the year that George IV visited Scotland and established renewed bonds between England and Scotland. The Highland Review plays directly into the history of Clan Currie. It was in anticipation of the Royal visit that James Currie of Balilone and Garrachoran sought to have a tartan of his own created. Lord Alexander MacDonald, 10th Baronet of Nova Scotia, Chief of the MacDonalds of the Isles, granted to Currie the right to use the Lord of the Isles tartan as the basis of the Currie of Balilone tartan. On August 22, 1971, this grant was reconfirmed on to the last of the Balilone line of Currie’s, Col. William McMurdo Currie by the Right Hon. Godfrey James Macdonald of Macdonald, High Chief of Clan Donald. The Gathering 2009 will be sending out regular newsletters about the event and their website will provide all the up to date information as it develops. To register for updates or for further information go to www.thegathering2009.com Plans are also underway for a special 50th anniversary cocktail reception at the Royal Scots Club in Edinburgh on Thursday, July 23, 2009. Keep visiting the Clan Currie website for additional information updates. Learn more: www.clancurrie.com/press/2007_aug01.html
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