Representing the Clan MacTavish, Steven MacTavish of Dunardrie travelled all the way from Canada to represent his people at the Gathering in Edinburgh.
The event was an opportunity for 50,000 people to meet and enjoy all aspects of being Scottish, and take the chance to meet with some of the 125 clan chiefs in attendance.
As the highlight of the Homecoming Scotland’s calendar of events, it was hoped that the two day event in Scotland’s capital would encourage some of the 40 million strong Scottish diaspora to get involved.
Explaining the popularity of the highland society in Canada, MacTavish said: “In north America as a whole there are a lot of clan societies. It’s not quite as active as in the US, but there are a lot of people interested in it. There are highland games all over Canada.
“I think the overall interest level in a lot of the youngsters is growing. Some of the top pipe bands in the world are from Canada, out in BC. The children are heavily involved in piping and in dancing.”
The MacTavishes claim ancestry stretching all the way back to the high kings of Ireland who moved to the west coast of Scotland to set up powerful kingdoms.
Since then the clan has had a colourful past, allying itself with the Campbells and seeing action at the Battles of Flodden and Culloden.
William MacTavish sailed to Canada in 1885 and the clan was officially recognised by the Lord Lyon King of Arms in 1997.
