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Press Room
July 1, 2006

Clan Currie Announces Preliminary Details for 2007 Clan Reunion

Plan now to Rally with the Clan on Scotland’s Beautiful Isle of Bute

  Beautiful Bute
  Beautiful Bute: The Clan Currie Society will hold their clan reunion on Bute in August of 2007.

All Clan members, friends and family are welcome to attend the 2007 clan reunion which is to be held on the Isle of Bute, in the heart of West of Scotland’s ‘Currie Country’ to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the Bute Highland Games. The Society has selected Glasgow-based tour operator, Nigel Cole to coordinate the trip on behalf of Clan Currie.

The Isle Of Bute

Tucked away at the Firth of the Clyde among the sea lochs of southern Argyll, Bute is only 15 miles long and four miles wide. Located less than a two-hour drive west from Glasgow, the island is accessible only by ferry. One route from Glasgow takes travellers along the shores of Loch Lomond and through the Arrochar Alps, which are considered among the most spectacular settings in Scotland.

Rothesay Harbour
The harbour at Rothesay.

Bute’s principal town, Rothesay has just been voted Scotland’s best seaside resort being described as ‘splendid and peaceful’ benefiting from elegant Victorian mansions built by Glaswegian merchants which line the water’s edge. Also, palm trees and exotic plants thrive on the small island, which is warmed by the Gulf Stream. The isle was thrust in to the spotlight in 2003 when fashion designer Stella McCartney (daughter of former Beatle, Sir Paul McCartney) chose to marry at Mount Stuart, the Victorian Gothic home of the Marquess of Bute.


Strong Currie Connections

On Bute, research published in “Transactions of the Buteshire Natural History Society” shows the presence of the MacMhuirich/Currie family as far back as the early 15th century. The farm known as “Ballycurrie” first appears in records dating back to 1440. Elsewhere on the island, the Bute Barones Charter of August 16, 1506 records the granting of the Balilone and Achamor farms (near Loch Fad) to members of the MacMhuirich (Currie) families.

  Ballycurrie
  The Isle of Bute has strong Currie connections, including Ballycurrie farm.

The Bute Sons and Daughters Genealogical Group is an exceptional resource for Currie’s with Bute ancestors. The Group maintains an outstanding website at www.butesonsanddaughters.com.


About The Bute Highland Games

The Bute Highland Games are Clan Currie’s “home” games in Scotland since 2003. Bute has been home to games for many years, though their early history remains unclear. The Bute Shinty and Amateur Athletic Sports Club developed the modern games on the island in 1947. All competitions run in accordance with amateur rules (there are no professional competitors).

Hyland Dancers
The Bute Highland Games will celebrate their 60th anniversary in 2007.

Bute has seen its games grown in stature. They are considered among the major
Highland Games for competitors. The Bute games include the traditional heavyweight competitions, such as the 16-lb. shot put, the 16-lb. hammer toss, throwing the 28-lb. weight for distance, throwing the 56-lb. weight for height, and, of course, the caber toss. The Bute games also include several different running races as well as a tug-o-war. The goals are not monetary; rather the competitors fight for the Waddel Shield or the Hunter Trophy.

And for the overall champion, H.R.H. Prince Charles commissioned the Duke of
Rothesay Trophy for the heavyweight competition, personally designing its original specifications. Developed for the 2000 games, the Duke of Rothesay Trophy is made of wood with inlaid silver, and includes a carved limewood lion holding a sceptre and a sword. Competitors for the trophy must wear traditional highland dress, adding to the games' pageantry and spectacle.

 
  Scenic and haunting Rothesay Castle. Photo by Steve Farmer.

Dancers, pipers and drummers compete for several different trophies depending on the age group. The dances included the sean truibhas, sword dance, highland fling, half reel, strathspey and reel.

Somewhat unique to the Bute games are the international wrestling competitions. Scottish backhold-style wrestlers have come from as far away as India to compete at Bute.

The Clan Currie Society “adopted” the Bute Games as their home games in Scotland in 2003 in recognition of the Island’s strong Currie connections and their wonderful “small town” spirit and hospitality. The Society became a Life Patron of the Games in 2004. For additional information on Clan Currie’s Bute homecoming, visit: http://www.clancurrie.com/members/news/2003_august30.cfm.

The Rothesay and District Pipe Band lead the official opening ceremonies of the games, playing at noon in the Public Stadium. The stadium is considered by many as one of the finest venues for highland games. It has a lush green field and compact grandstands. Its meadows are perfect for pipers and pipe bands to tune up. It also has extensive areas for clan tents and trading posts.

 
Tour operator Nigel Cole has been selected by the Clan Currie Society to coordinate the 2007 clan reunion.  

The march to the games' field goes past the massive red sandstone known as Rothesay Castle. The oldest portions of the castle date back to the 13th century. It was built by a hereditary High Steward of Scotland, from which come the Stuarts, who made their home on Bute. The castle's circular design was unique on Scotland and withstood Viking invasions.

About The Tour Arranger

Glasgow based Nigel Cole through his company, Catswhiskerstours
(www.catswhiskerstours.co.uk) and a U.S. based travel agent associate will be arranging all travel, accommodation and Clan related events. Nigel is a member of Clan Currie and has extensive knowledge of the Clan obtained through assisting with extensive research of a Currie family history entailing visits to many sites and people around the West Coast and islands. Nigel’s passions are history, heritage and ancestry and organises tours for groups based around these themes.

 
  Come join your fellow clansfolk at the Bute Highland Games in 2007.
Tour Packages

Flights and accommodation will be provided to meet the specific requirements of Clan members. If you wish to extend your visit and/or attend such attractions as the famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo then contact Nigel.

Keep visiting the website for further updates and registration instructions. See you in Scotland!

 

Isle of Bute - Photo Gallery 1

Isle of Bute - Photo Gallery 2


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