Ewan MacCrimmon at the Old Man of Storr on MacCrimmon Cairn, Trotternish, North East Borreraig Skye Clan MacLeod Parliament Some Questions Answered Aussie contingent at Clan Flat top mountain behind is MacLeod Parliament 2006 one of MacLeod’s Tables - Dunvegan, Isle of Skye Talisker Distillery. Guided tours with a wee sample at the end. This is the only distillery on Skye and has no connection with the MacLeod of Talisker family. Dun Beag. An excellent example of an ancient Broch or Dun is at Struan on the road South from Dunvegan. Though not as spectacular as the famous one at Calloway on the Isle of Lewis it is still well worth a visit and easy to get to. Boat Trip to Loch Coruisk. You will probably need to book this a day ahead. The boat leaves from Elgol and crosses Loch Scavaig. From the landing there is a bit of a walk, maybe 1km, but at Loch Coruisk you are among the Black Cuil- lins and look up some 3000ft to their misty tops. The Old Church Kilmuir. Kil means Church and Muir means Mary giving St. Mary’s Church, so there are many Kilmuirs around but the one just a couple of hundred metres up the Portree Road from Dunvegan is guardian to the graves of Chief John, Dame Flora and others of our chiefly family. The church is roof- What do we do? Mainly we sightsee, socialise & learn a little MacLeod history. less but otherwise in reasonable condition. You can continue your walk up to There are meetings but there is no obligation to attend. Early on we can enjoy the Millennium Stone erected by the people of Dunvegan to mark the year 2000. a tour of Dunvegan Castle with one of our Clan Historians. During the week Any Other Questions? Contact one there are optional workshops, you can brush up on Scottish or Ceilidh Danc- of your clansfolk below. Millenium ing, learn a little Gaelic, attend a talk on Scottish music or some other topic. Stone Bus tours are organised to MacLeod Historic sites with a Clan or local expert Kilmuir to show the detail and tell the stories. Two popular outings are the visit to Bor- roraig and trip to Raasay. At Borroraig we visit the MacCrimmon Cairn and hear the ancient Piobaireachd by one of Scotland’s best exponents of the art. Also at Borroraig are the ruins of the MacCrimmon Piping School where 10 generations of the family taught piping. Raasay day offers a visit to this beauti- ful island and has previously involved a visit to Raasay House but following Primary Contacts for Clan MacLeod Parliament 2010 the devastating fire of January 2009 this may not be possible in 2010. Evening functions include a Wine & Cheese Reception, Dancing on Dunvegan Victoria & Tas. - Rod MacLeod, C/- Post Office, Mandurang Victoria 3551 Castle Guncourt followed by a Fireworks display over the Castle, a couple of Phone (03) 5439 3054 Email: [email protected] Ceilidhs, a silent auction and a Clan Ball. Western Aust. - Ian or Ruth MacLeod, 17 Parkside Ave, Mt. Pleasant WA 6153 The Program for Parliament 2010 should be published in the Clan MacLeod Phone (08) 9364 6334 Email: [email protected] Magazine, April 2010 but may be available sooner to those who have registered Rest of Australia - Charles Cooke, ‘Long Hill’, Gundy via Scone, NSW 2337 their intention to go. Register with one of our Primary Parliament Contact peo- Phone (02) 6545 8141 Email: [email protected] ple. Dunvegan Parliament Week runs from Sat. 24th July until Sat. 31st July. Pre-Parliament Programme in Assynt A tour of the Assynt area will be avail- Buying Locally. Dunvegan is a small village, there is a village shop but you able for a limited number of people. It will begin on the evening of Wed., 21 have to go to Portree for any variety. A bank van visits about twice a week. July, when buses will depart from Kyle of Lochalsh for Loch Assynt. Accommo- Getting About. There are some limited bus services to and from Portree. You dation for three nights will be in the Lochinver area. Thurs. & Fri will be busy can do without a car to get about the Parliament functions but if you want to with tours. One day will be dedicated to the natural explore further afield your own a car is essential. Duntulm wonders and history of the region, the second to ex- Assynt ➷ Other Than Parliament. You may have time be- ploring issues facing the current day community. fore or after Parliament or may forgo something at Par- MacLeod connections to this area run deep. We will Kilt Rock liament to explore on your own - here are some ideas. Stein Inn visit the ruins of Ardvreck Castle, travel the infamous Waternish/Vaternish. There may be a bus tour to Wa- B869, and have an opportunity to meet people who Coral Beaches ternish, if so we will visit the most important sights, have led significant changes in land ownership and Trumpan Church & the Fairy Bridge, but there are government. The story of the North Lochinver Estate many craft shops and other places worth a look. Why Old Man made world headlines in 1993 when it was purchased Glendale of Storr not lunch at the Stein Inn, Skye’s oldest inn, in the Neist Pt by the Assynt Crofters’ Trust. Further buyouts fol- Lighthouse grounds is a white rose planted by Flora MacDonald’s lowed in June 2005. There will be a group dinner, a cei- daughter from a cutting given to her by her mother. lidh in the village of Lochinver, and perhaps a chance Dun Trotternish. A pleasureable afternoon can be spent Beag to walk on the perfect white sand beaches. We will re- driving around Trotternish. If you start from Portree turn to Kyle of Lochalsh Sat. morning, and buses will you see the Old Man of Storr, a fifty metre rock pin- continue to Dunvegan for those needing transport. Talisker nacle. To the right there are beautiful views over to For MacLeod Youth. An NRG (for 18 to 25 year olds) Distillery the isles of Raasay & Rona and the Scottish mainland service project will take place in Assynt from Saturday at Applecross. To the left we see the Quirang, a range 17th until Saturday 24th July. Loch of quite spectacular mountains. Further on there is Staying near Dunvegan. Most activity is either at the Coruisk a stopping point to see Kilt Rock made of basalt col- Village Hall or starts and finishes there, so unless you umns, near the top is Flodigarry and Flora MacDon- are prepared to spend a lot of time driving long dis- ald’s grave and nearby a re-constructed croft village. tances try to get accommodation as close as possible. You can walk to the ruins of Duntulm Castle, origi- A few years ago we had some Australians staying nally owned by the MacLeods until we foolishly let in Broadford, about 45 minutes drive each way and the MacDonalds take it from us, as one would expect, sometimes you may need two return trips in a day. it is now a ruin. Nearby there is a monument to the Weather. Skye & NW Scotland have a reputation for MacArthurs - pipers to the MacDonalds. weather - BUT, Parliament is in mid Summer. Expect some wonderfully long The Coral Beaches. If you gather 12 cowrie shells from the Coral Beaches the days with twilight well past 9pm. Temperatures can range from minimums fairies will make sure you return to Skye but you must bring them back with down to 12°C but daytime temperatures between 18 and 25°C. There is rarely you. Drive North past Dunvegan Castle, past the old stables, the mill and the heavy rain but showers and mizzle are common, we can also expect bright sun- ancient site of Dunvegan Village. On past the Saurdal Lochs, finally you will ny days so take sunglasses. Exposed positions often experience strong winds. park and have a good walk to the beaches. These beaches are made up of pul- Clothing. If you have a kilt, take it, some wear kilts all week. Your writer wears verised cold water coral. There are views to Dunvegan Head and the Isle of a kilt to most evening functions but trousers & short sleeve shirts elsewhere. If Isay which MacLeod of MacLeod offered to Dr. Samuel Johnson in 1773 pro- you don’t have a kilt, a tartan tie for Gents. and a tartan scarf for Ladies is fine. vided he lived there three months each year, Dr. Johnson declined. Take a jumper & something to protect against wind. Comfortable shoes are es- Glendale & Neist Point Lighthouse. An interesting drive taking you past the sential. If you plan to climb MacLeod’s Table take waterproof walking boots. Colbost Folk Museum and Skye Silver (great for the ladies). Alongside the road Midges. These tiny biting insects are a real pest especially on still nights. We is a monument to The Glendale Martyrs, crofter activists whose action lead to take ‘Tropical Strength Rid’ in roll on containers, it is essential to take some- the Napier Royal Commission and the end of the Highland Clearances. When thing with DEET in it. Do NOT rely on buying anything locally. They have you get to the Lighthouse there are quite a few steps and a bit of a walk so allow nothing nearly as good as Rid. plenty of time. There are a number of side roads worth exploring..