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A Gathering of the Clans

We invite you and your family to join us for the Gathering of the Clans at the 2008 Williamsburg 31st Scottish Festival and Celtic Celebration. From its inception, Williamsburg Scottish Festival (WSF) has been fully committed to the participation of Clan and society organizations in our annual event. Last year we enjoyed the participation of 49 Clans, societies, and organizations. We acknowledge that whatever success has been achieved by WSF over the years, it is a direct result of the wholehearted participation of Clan organizations and Scottish and Celtic Societies. The Festival committee encourages your participation in all the Clan events, offering you another opportunity to expand your understanding of the heritage and culture of Scotland.

Explore Your Scottish Clan

Clan organizations from throughout the country have come to share their Clan heritage with you at WSF "Clan Row." Join us in celebrating this unique aspect of Scottish culture and history. Explore your Scottish roots by connecting with one of the many Scottish Clans, societies, and Celtic organizations participating in the 2008 Festival.  They will assist you in determining your connection to a Scottish clan, family, or district.

Parade of the Clans

The Parade of the Clans is an opportunity for everyone … the lads, lassies, and even the wee bairns … to show their pride in their clan and their Scottish heritage. This event features all the clans passing in review in front of the honored guest. The event starts with the Public Address announcer encouraging all the clan participants to gather in the assembly area. The number of people who participate with a clan in the parade is not important … one person is sufficient... after all, that’s one Scot! The Parade of the Clans begins as the pipe band and the Honored Clan enter the field, leading all the other clans in alphabetical order. The clans will parade in review and render honors to the honored guest during the march past. Once in appropriate position facing the reviewing stand, the clans will be ready for the War Cry Rally.

War Cry Rally

The War Cry Rally was created by the WSF in 1983 and has proven to be one of the most popular activities during the festival. The PA announcer will call out the name of each clan in order, beginning with the honored clan. Clans have four options for this portion of the activity:

  • OPTION #1: Shout the clan war cry in the language as written (Gaelic, French, English, etc.) For example, the Clan Sutherland might shout: "Ceann na Drochaide Bige!"
  • OPTION #2: Shout the English translation of the cry. For example, the Sutherlands would shout: "To the head of the little bridge!"
  • OPTION #3: Shout the name of the clan. Example: "Sutherland!"
  • OPTION #4: Do nothing. Stand in place when the clan name is called. (Scots not saying anything??? That’s NOT really an option!)
Once the clans have shouted, the announcer will ask all the clans to give one shout in unison. After this is completed, they will follow the directions of the marshals and exit the field.

The Clan Challenge:

Although the Ladies Clan Team Haggis Hurl has been a popular feature for more than 20 years, the Clan Challenge affords Clans an opportunity to foster camaraderie, and are designed to offer a good-natured outlet for Clan rivalry through fun "semi-athletic" events. The inaugural Clan Challenge Competition at the 2006 Festival was a rousing success. This year, the Clan Challenge will include three events: "St. Andrew's Golf," "Highland Darts," and "The Ladies Clan Team Haggis Hurl." Although the winning clan will be that clan that has the highest total score from all three events, clans are not required to participate in all competitions or even compete at all! Consequently, clans can field teams in none, one, two, or all three events.
Learn More

Clan Registration

Although invitations to participate are sent to local, state, and regional Clan organization representatives, occasionally Clan contacts are found to have "slipped through the crack" and are not contacted. If you feel that your Clan has been inadvertently missed or you wish to verify its participation, please contact the Clan Coordinator at Clans[at]wsfonline[dot]org.

If you are interested in having your Clan participate in this year’s Festival please complete the Clan Registration Form and email to Clans[at]wsfonline[dot]org. We will be in contact with you soon. If you have any further questions please go to our Clan forum and post your questions.





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