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Clan Grant to descend en masse on Strathspey this summer





The 34th Lord Strathspey at his inauguration at the Abernethy Games last summer.
The 34th Lord Strathspey at his inauguration at the Abernethy Games last summer.

The Clan Grant is planning one of its largest global gatherings in more than a decade this summer in Nethy Bridge.

They are currently busy organising the 2025 International Gathering - the big event lined up for 2020 had to be cancelled because of the Covid pandemic.

The clan is hoping to encourage as many UK and overseas visitors to come to the special gathering which only occurs every five or 10 years and culminates at the Abernethy Games on August 9.

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Clan Grant has not staged an international gathering since 2010.

Clan vice-chairman Tim Atkinson said: “Grantown Museum estimates that some 60 per cent of their visitors have some connection to Strathspey and Clan Grant.

“The International Gathering offers the opportunity to further strengthen these bonds of kinship and provide visitors an opportunity to explore and re-connect with the area.

“The influx of visitors to the International is clearly important to the wider economy of Strathspey and beyond.

“It provides the Clan Grant Society the opportunity to strengthen the international connections that already exist, and to encourage those living in Strathspey to connect with Clan Grant and Grantown Museum to explore the rich cultural history of the area, much of which was historically shaped and influenced by the clan.

“This process, we hope, will encourage more people to visit the area and explore its rich cultural legacy.”

Although billed as an ‘International Gathering’, the clan is keen to stress it is very much an inclusive event.

Ms Todd said: “We hope that many people living locally will also engage and join us.

“Clan Grant’s influence was far reaching and many people living on the Grant Estates were not called Grant but nevertheless were an important part of their local communities.

“Many descendants still live here. This event is for them too.”

She added: “For the many people who have arrived more recently, and are interested in the local history and culture, please come and join us – The Clan Grant Society is for all of those living and working in Strathspey, or those simply with an interest in its history.

“We are inclusive and have no membership rules on surname eligibility.”

Last year’s gathering witnessed the inauguration of the 34th Chief at Abernethy Highland Games where Michael Grant was also The Games Chieftain.

Lord Strathspey has been busy since succeeding his late brother, Donald Patrick Trevor Grant of Grant who died at home on May 26, 2023.

He was a regular attendee at the Abernethy Highland Games and described as a ‘wonderful character’

The 34th Lord Strathspey was a VIP guest at Stone Mountain Highland Games in Atlanta in Georgia in the United States in October, last year.

Stone Mountain is one of the largest Highland Games in North America with 100 clan and related Scottish stands at the Games.

Lord Strathspey has also been invited to be the Chieftain of ‘Brigadoon’ - The Bundadoon Highland Games in New South Wales in Australia this April which is the premier Scottish gathering in Australia.


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