Clan MacFarlane 50th Annual World Gathering & General Meeting

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All  International Clan MacFarlane Society members are cordially invited to attend the Clan MacFarlane 50th Annual World Gathering and General Meeting, where MacFarlanes from all over the globe will come together to celebrate our shared culture and history. Mark your calendars and join us for this special event. July 6th – 9th, 2023. 50 years in the making, we’ll return to the birthplace of our re-established Society – Grandfather Mountain in Linville,  North Carolina, USA.

This year’s celebration will take place during the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games (GMHG). One of the oldest Highland Games events outside of Scotland, the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games celebrates all things Scottish, with traditional music, dancing, and athletic competitions. Plus, there will be plenty of food, drink, and vendor stalls to enjoy.

This year’s World Gathering is a self-guided event. Attendees will need to secure their own travel to and from the Games and events and well as purchasing their own event tickets.

WORLD GATHERING EVENTS

Over the course of this 4 day event, you will not only attend the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games but you will also have the opportunity to attend Clan MacFarlane events such as:

• Clan MacFarlane Annual Formal Banquet
• Clan MacFarlane Annual General Business Meeting
• GFMHG Clan Torchlight Ceremony
• March with Clan MacFarlane in the Parade of Clans
• Spend time meeting and greeting with your MacFarlane family in the MacFarlane clan tent at the Games
• GFMHG opening reception (You must have previously purchased a Chieftain or Highlander Package from GMHG to attend.)
• World Gathering after-ceilidh
• And more to be announced!

You must be an active member of the International Clan MacFarlane Society to attend. If you are not currently a member, then join the clan today!

WED 5TH JULY

DAY ONE

DAY | Arrive In the Grandfather Mountain/Linville Area.

If you are planning to fly into the area, then the closest airport will be Charlotte Douglas International (CLT) in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. Attendees will need to secure their own transportation, which for most of us, will mean renting a car.

Check into hotels/vacation rentals/campgrounds.

EVENING | Explore The Grandfather Mountain Area

As everyone arrives and gets settled, we recommend exploring the area to take in the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  This is one of the first regions of America settled by Scottish immigrants after they arrived from across the pond.

Go here for more information about Grandfather Mountain.

THURS 6TH JULY

DAY TWO

DAY | Explore The Grandfather Mountain Area

Time on your own to visit the areas of Boone, Bowling Rock and Linville, North Carolina.

EVENING | Call Of The Clans Torchlight Ceremony

Thursday evening marks the beginning of the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games. MacRae Meadows opens at 4:00 PM.  Food concessions are available, However, visitors to the Games often choose to bring their own picnic. With a flashlight to use later in the evening and a blanket for sitting on the ground, they can enjoy once again the beauty of these mountains. It is a special time and a special place, made more so by the ceremony that follows after dark.  Estimated time for ceremony to begin is approximately 9-9:30 PM.

FRI 7TH JULY

DAY THREE

DAY | Grandfather Mountain Highland Games

Join us in the Clan MacFarlane Hospitality Tent hosted by Carolina Commissioners Neil & Debbie Webb.  Meet and greet your MacFarlane family from all over the world!

Visit the GFMG Website for more information about the Games events.

EVENING | GFMHG Events

630 PM | The Best Western, Linville | Sponsors And Patrons Reception

If you previously purchased a Chieftain or Highlander Package from GMHG, you will have entry to the Sponsors/Patrons Reception.  This increasingly popular event gives patrons and sponsors an opportunity to meet the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games honoured and distinguished guests and catch up with old friends.

7PM | MacRae Meadows Main Field | Celtic Rock Concert

For those of  you who did not purchase tickets that gave you entry to the Sponsors/Patrons reception, Friday night’s The Night of Celtic Rock is a chance to see where Scottish heritage takes us into the world of Rock music and how our Scottish-American rock bands are an important part of music in the USA.  Some of the most successful rock bands in the world over the decades have had lead members trained in traditional Scottish music, and when that music is expertly fused with rock we get bands like AC/DC, Phil Collins, Jethro Tull, Pink Floyd, and Led Zepellin, all of whom knew traditional songs and tunes and were able to play them.  New songs written with knowledge of Scottish music has been the most powerful rock that has ever been created. This year it will be on the main field starting at 7pm with the passionate balladeer and percussionist Wolf Loescher.

Visit the GFMG Website for more information about the Games events.

SAT 8TH JULY

DAY FOUR

DAY | Grandfather Mountain Highland Games

Join us in the Clan MacFarlane Hospitality Tent hosted by Carolina Commissioners Neil & Debbie Webb.  Meet and greet your MacFarlane family from all over the world!

EVENING | Clan MacFarlane 50th World Gathering Formal Dinner & Banquet

730 PM | The Peddler Steakhouse of Boone

Celebrate our shared MacFarlane heritage and as you savor the best dinner in town and enjoy warm Southern hospitality in this cozy atmosphere.

You must pre-purchase tickets to attend.  This event will sell out fast, so get your now!

SUN 9TH JULY

DAY FIVE

DAY | Grandfather Mountain Highland Games

Join us in the Clan MacFarlane Hospitality Tent hosted by Carolina Commissioners Neil & Debbie Webb.  Meet and greet your MacFarlane family from all over the world!

EVENING | Clan MacFarlane 50th AGM Post-Games Gathering

700 PM | Location – To Be Announced

Mari & James Bittner, our Louisiana Commissioners, and their family have invited the Clan back to their place for a post-games ceilidh to wrap up an amazing weekend of MacFarlane family fellowship.  The Bittners are the owners of MacFarlane’s Pub in Lake Charles, Louisiana and they’ve promised to cook up a big batch of authentic Cajun jambalaya – MacFarlane style!