Perhaps it is a feature of the Rattrays that a strong sense of clanship was felt by all as we “gathered” at Jimmy and Wendy Rattrays’ Log Cabin Hotel at Kirkmichael on Friday 25th August 2000. As it turned out, this would be a very special Gathering. The weather, it has to be recorded, was not overly helpful to a full programme, but  the location, and the addition of several members of the Rattray Sikhs and their wives made for a memorable event.

The programme started with a series of  interesting presentations,  with overhead computer illustrations, covering the Clan Rattray Early History (Rulzion Rattray), the Clan Rattray Genealogy, delivered by Keith Rattray and Hugh Rattray, on Dr. Charles Bird’s behalf. Dr. Bird was unable, due to  illness, to attend the gathering. James Rattray described the customs of life in the Highlands with a demonstration of the ancient Highland Dress, the belted plaid, the original kilt, in preparation for the trip to Killiecrankie and the Highland turf houses in the afternoon. Finally, Lauchie Rattray of Craighall regaled us with some of his excellent stories of the Rattrays and Craighall.

The food and hospitality at the Log Cabin Hotel was an outstanding feature of the Gathering and contributed to its overall success. After a splendid lunch we dashed off by coach to visit the Killicrankie Battle site, where on the evening of 27 July 1689 the forces of Viscount Dundee (immortalised in Scott’s poem “Bonnie Dundee”) routed the Government troops by charging at them down the steep hill. General Mackay, the commander of the government forces lost some 2000 men of his 3000 band, while Dundee, who was unfortunately killed early in the battle, lost only 900 of his 2,500. We were taken to the actual battle site, well off the normal tourist trail and Rulzion Rattray described the battle and the part the Rattrays played so well to us, that the site seemed to come alive around us even though more than 300 years had passed since it took place. One felt compelled to observe a minute’s silence at a place where so many perished in such a very short space of time.

Our coach then took us north to the Newtonmore Highland Folk Museum to see the 17th century Highland Turf Village. It turned out to be a very realistic village with pigs and chickens running around the completed turf houses, all with smoky peat fires making the dark interiors even more lifelike, as well as some turf houses under construction so we could see how they had been made. The guides were all living in the village, undertaking tasks which would have been done in the 17th century. On the way to the village we were able to visit the clock menders cottage. This had been a real business for many years. It was, by contrast to other days, fairly hot, so modern-day ice creams came in handy from the modern tea bar set well away from the village. Even the buses to and from the village came from an earlier era. It was an excellent visit.

The evening centred around another excellent meal at the Log Cabin, by now virtually taken over by the Rattrays, though the locals did their best to claim ownership of the billiard table. This was followed by The Rattray Clan Talent Parade, known locally as a ceilidh, and talent there was aplenty made up of stories and songs from the assembled company. Major General Trilochan Singh, by popular request, gave us an excellent introduction to Sikh  customs and traditions, and then moving on to the 3rd Battalion of the Sikh Regiment Rattrays Sikhs in the modern Indian Army. The locals looked on in amazement, needing more and more refreshment for them to handle the invasion.

Alongside all this, throughout the Gathering, the small shop manned by Michael Rattray sold many interesting Clan items. However, the highlight of the room was the PC sitting in a corner with Charlie’s specially prepared software allowing us all to trace our ancestors. This even led to one group discovering that they were related! Items for sale included a splendid reproduction of the original Rules of Golf produced by Keith Rattray of Canada on behalf of the Clan Society, which should be put up at every Golf Club used by a member of the Clan! Purchased from Michael Rattray the Clan Society merchandiser including a story of John Rattray the signature at the bottom of the orginal rules of golf and the first Captain of golf in 1744. 

N.B.These rules can be obtained for £5.00 each, plus postage and packaging of £1.50 to anywhere in the world. The packaging costs remain fixed for multiple orders, as the rules are sent in a cardboard tube to you, many copies can be included in the same tube. All sales go to the Clan Society funds, thanks to Keith Rattray.

Saturday dawned with heavy clouds as a large, cheerful band of Rattrays made their way to Dalmunzie at the Spittal of Glenshee, to the highest golf course in the Highlands of Scotland. David Rattray of Ontario, Canada and his sons Scott and Kevin had prepared a competition, no matter the standard of our golf to be enjoyed by all, despite the weather. This was a keenly fought competition, one’s fellow golfers were one element. The course, which included a decent lake and a hill so perpendicular that climbing ropes were required for safety and a 9 iron was not lofted enough to reach the green, ( I made it though!)a second, and then the third element, the weather took a hand and made it impossible to see what was happening, especially if you wore glasses! However, it proved an superb venue, with an excellent log fire in the Hotel/Club House dried us out before we made our way back to the Log Cabin for yet another meal.

By this time the rains had really set in. As we ate our meal, we had to prepare ourselves for entering the by now heavy rain to get to the games Chieftain’s march, in time. The logistics of eighty odd Rattrays feeding themselves at a buffet lunch and getting down to the Games filed for 12:45 was always going to be a difficult target to achieve. With much hope and Rattray determination, we set off after lunch dressed in kilts, coats and bonnets for the Strathadle Games 2000. Some of us were able to make the whole march, namely David Rattray and his family who had also played golf in the morning. They made sure they got fed as soon as they got to the Log Cabin Hotel after the golf and set off to the march assembly point on time. Well done to David, Marion, Scott Michelle and Kevin. The rest of us rushed down bravely with the flags of each country flying as we joined the march as and where we could, to the total bemusement of the Games Chieftain, the announcer and the spectators. 

Despite rumors to the contrary, our organisers had contacted the Strathardle Games Committee, more than a month before the event, to seek permission for us to join the games parade. This was followed up by letter by our organisers confirming the request, and subsequent phone call confriming we were welcome. A further phone call was made by our organisers two days before the event to confirm that everything was still in order. At the time of the march, the games announcer was given an information sheet on the Clan Society about our gathering and the how so many Rattrays had traveled from all over the world to be at the games. Unfortunately this was only read out a good hour after the march, not properly acknowledging the efforts of some many overseas Rattrays to make it to the games.

However, it did not take long for the rain to take over the entire event. The highland dancing went to the local school. The pipe competition fell by the wayside. Nevertheless, never daunted, the junior races took place with at least one member of our noble band winning, well supported by a large contingent sheltering in the Rattray tent. The tug-of-war took place muddily. And then a near disaster. The Sikh flag went missing. The entire grounds and suspicious members of other clans were searched before it was located safely out of the rain in James Rattray’s keeping. At least it provided much needed exercise for us all despite the rain, we all had a good time. It just could have been even better.

In the evening an excellent Dinner preceded the Ceilidh. This was the main event of the Gathering. The piper who had agreed to pipe in the top table, unfortunately had decided the rain was too much for his tent and unknowingly disappeared. The ever-resourceful Rattrays clapped in the top table and the Rattray Sikhs proudly carrying their magnificent gold embraded regimental flag in to dinner. It went with a swing after the lights had fused several times when the Band tried to plug their equipment in. However, it then became apparent that an enormous electrical storm was taking place overhead and that the band were not to blame after all. As usual attacks from outside were brushed aside by the Rattrays and we charged onto the floor for the highland dancing, much enjoyed by everyone. Even our friends, the Sikhs became excellent highland dancers by the end of the evening. The locals continued to be impressed.

Sunday dawned considerably better, with the sun appearing once again. A large contingent attended the service at Rattray Kirk, much to the appreciation of the congregation. Before the service started, many visited the Rattray part of the graveyard where our last Chief, Captain James Rattray of Rattray had been laid to rest last November. He was remembered with much warmth by all who had known him.

Lunch was at the Spittal of Glenshee, said to be Britains’s oldest operating Inn, first chronicled in 961AD. It stood up to the invasion of two Clan Gatherings at the same time with not a blow being struck by either side. Clan MacThomas hold their gathering annualy around the Strathardle Games. Just as well, as the Rattray’s would have won as we out numbered them by at least five to one. We then left by coach to visit all the main Rattray places of interest including the Rattray Castle mound and finally Craighall. At Craighall where we were all welcomed by Lauchie and Nicky Rattray, as ever the perfect hosts showing us both over the house with its magnificent 230foot drop outside the main living room to the river Ericht below. Lauchie gave us all an excellent conducted tour as well as bringing out many interesting Clan items and diaries. We were shown the holiday flats in Craighall with their magnificent four poster bed, which had booked for the following week by one party of Rattrays. What a magnificent way  to top your visit to Scotland by staying at this superb historic ancient Rattray castle, immortalised by Sir Walter Scott

And finally, came the Clan Council AGM which was kept to the bare minimum, but not before it was agreed that Dr Charles Bird should be honoured for all the hours of work he has put into creating the magnificent Clan Data base. As Hugh Rattray opening words on the first morning when demonstrating some of the attributes of Clan Data base were, “No one can but be failed to be impressed, with this data base and what you can learn from it, a truly magnificent piece of work………” The first Life Honorary Membership of the Clan Society was awarded to Dr Charles Bird in recognition of the splendid work he has done in tracing our ancestors

Then followed a presentation of the golf competition awards, by David Rattray of Ontario, Canada. Appropriately the men’s winner was Lauchie Rattray of Craighall, 14th great Grandson of John Rattray, the signatury under the world’s original rules of golf in 1744. The winning of the women’s competition was Paula Rae from Australia, a very popular figure who added much to the spontaneity and colour of the weekend. Paula was encouraged to come to the gathering by her cousin Janet Taylor who not only attended this year’s event, in common with a number of others also attended the first gathering in 1996. The names of the two golf winners have been engraved on the Clan Rattray Golf Quaich which will be played for at future international gatherings. The winners were each presented with a miniature quaich with the year 2000 engraved in its centre, for their own trophy cupboards back home. This was followed by a myriad of prizes being awarded for a whole host of golfing achievements to those who took part, an excellent event for all those who took part.

We then all enjoyed yet another of Wendy Rattray’s excellent buffets during which the raffle was drawn. Everyone who attended the gathering was asked to bring a small gift peculiar to their own country of origin for the raffle. This made sure of a good deal of hilarity for everyone at our finale evening. Great amusement was had by a number of particularly furry gifts, wrapped in a variety of disguises to the consternation of the those opening the parcels. They turned out to be Scottish Jimmy hats well known all round the world for being worn by Scottish football and rugby supporters. The hats transform the appearance of the wearer to the great enjoyment of all around. 

A special thanks was made by David Rattray of Ontario, to Jimmy and Wendy Rattrays our superb hosts for all their hard work, received huge applause by all present. And finally, and far from least, we said a big thank you to James and Kathleen for organising the event which went so well. 

There was a very real sense of “belonging” felt by all present. Many attending for the first time commented that they were not quite sure what to expect, particularly those who accompanied their Rattray partners for the weekend. The resulting conclusion was that it was a fantastic event no matter who you were. The lasting impression was the great sense of camaraderie felt by all over the three days, as we made our way home vowing to come again next time.