SCOTSIN - EDINBURGH: The Gathering 2009

EDINBURGH: The Gathering 2009 - Tickets on Sale now

Written by The Gathering 2009

Monday, 22 September 2008

Tickets for one of the biggest events happening in Scotland next year have gone on sale. The Gathering 2009 in Edinburgh on 25 and 26 July is set to be the greatest international clan gathering and Highland Games ever held in this country. Tickets for one of the biggest events happening in Scotland next year have gone on sale. The Gathering 2009 in Edinburgh on 25 and 26 July is set to be the greatest international clan gathering and Highland Games ever held in this country.

The Gathering 2009, which celebrates the contribution made by the clans to the culture and history of the nation, is expected to attract more than 40,000 visitors to the capital next summer. It is one of the key events of the Homecoming Scotland 2009 programme.

The two-day event in the capital’s Holyrood Park includes the Deuchars World Highland Games Heavy Events Championship, as well as Highland dancing, piping, traditional storytelling and music. There will also be a hill race and fun run, a children’s area, genealogy zone and a clan village. The best of contemporary Scotland will also be on show, with top quality textiles, arts and crafts, and food and drink.

Entry to the Highland Games for adults is £15, with £10 concession tickets for people over 60 years-old, students, children aged between four and 15, while children aged three or under are free.

Family tickets are also available for either one or two days of the Highland Games, which means a family of five can enjoy both days in Holyrood Park for as little as £9.50 each.

As part of The Gathering 2009, there will also be a clan parade of around 5000 people from 140 clans along the Royal Mile culminating in a historic pageant on Edinburgh Castle Esplanade on the evening of 25 July. “Passports” which allow the holder entry to both days of the Highland games, to take part in the parade and watch the pageant are already selling quickly with fewer than 3800 still available.

Lord Sempill, Co-director of The Gathering 2009, said: “We are delighted that already we have visitors coming from 16 different countries across the globe, as well as from the UK. Last month, our passport sales figures were double the normal monthly average which is in part due to flights being made available by the airlines.

“However, we realise that not everyone will want to take part in the clan parade, and so our Highland Games tickets mean you can still enjoy all the events in Holyrood Park. and also watch the parade on the Saturday evening. We look forward to welcoming many more people from both home and overseas for this unique celebration next July.”

Tickets and passports are available from www.thegathering2009.com.

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