The Gathering 2009

[Canadian Livingstone]

Hi David, Might even get a reduced room rate if everyone was booked into the same hotel. With all those clans participating the hotels will fill up. DOnald

[D.W.Livingston]

Hello everyone, Thank you to those who stated they would like to assist in a Committee to plan out the LivingstoneMclea portion of the Gathering. Once we get a relative size group we can work it offline, through email. My email is v_1dlivi -at hotmail -dot com and anyone who would like to participate email me and we can start an offline thread with all volunteers. Now for everyone I would like to know what kind of hotel accomodations everyone who is even remotely thinking about going would like to stay at... from past experience what would you not even consider staying at? What kind of place would be Clan central, since we all can't stay at the same location. My thoughts are a 3-star location, with at least 100 rooms (to give the majority the ability to stay in one location). I would think something with a conference room to schedule a meet and greet would be nice, and something close to Holyrood Park so we would be close to the games. Everyone elses thoughts? Sincerely, David

[Mary Livingstone]

I am based in London, and am wholly committed to attending this event.

[D.W.Livingston]

Hello Jill, Can you email me off forum at v_1dlivi AT hotmail DOT com. I think we can start brainstorming and as others want to join in we can add them to the email list. So far it will be you, Kyle, Mary and I. To evryone else I still would love to hear your thoughts on it all. Sincerely, David

[Jill Richmond]

Hello David, I have just sent you an email to the address you have given us. If you do not receive it, please could you contact me at jill"at"richmond1937"dot"freeserve"dot"co"dot"uk,and I will get back in touch with you. Regards, Jill

[D.W.Livingston]

Hello everyone, Well the committee is brainstorming like fools offline but I need to get everyone's input for a piece of the gathering.. a little raw data if you would. The Scotland Gathering 2009 is going to be on July 25th and 26th, 2009 (with a meeting of sorts on the 24th). This is the last Friday, Saturday, Sunday of July. If there were no issues (financial, time, health, emotions) when would everyone think they would be flying into Scotland for this event? a.) Friday b.) Thursday c.) Wednesday d.) Other day (Please specify) How long would everyone think they would stay in Scotland for this trip? a.) Just the weekend b.) maybe 5 days c.) a week d.) two weeks Even if you KNOW you will not be attending I would like your answers just to get an average idea on where people in general see traveling and times to stay. Second part of this is that a lot of clans are taking the Gathering 2009 as a way to have the clan gather (or muster) in the home country (see http://www.clan-cameron.org/gathering/2009/ for an example) If you were to come (even if you know you aren't).. would you want to a.) start with a clan gathering and end your vacation at Edinburgh and the Highland Games.. b.) start it there and end with a clan gathering? c.) start in Edinburgh, have a clan gathering right after and then finish it at your leasure doing whatever else you like What does everyone say?

[D.W.Livingston]

My Answers 1.) Due to it being a two day flight from Arizona to Scotland I would say that I would want to land in Scotland no later than Thursday, more like Wednesday (to help the jet lag, and unwind) 2.) With 2 days there and 2 days back, AND never being to Scotland before I could not do it in less than a week, if no issues then I would say 2 weeks to really enjoy the country side and genealogy. Maybe meet distant relatives. 3.) this is tough, I would love to meet you all before we do the march so meeting before woudl be good but I think I would like to do the Edinburgh Gathering at the start to get it out of the way and then do an offical meet and greet, talk about how the march went and finish it off at my leasure doign whatever else the family can think of. Those are my thoughts on it. David

[Craig McClay Wilson]

Hi all, Would love to come, but can only be a tentative now. If I can make it: 1)