Gathering 2009 to Showcase 'Scottishness'

Think of things that are typically Scottish and what springs to mind? Men in kilts? Men in kilts taking part in the Highland Games?

The Royal Mile is awash with shops selling tartans representing ever conceivable clan. The weekend of July 25-26th next year will put Holyrood Park centre stage as it hosts the Gathering 2009, an event where members of St Andrew's and Calendonian Societies from every corner of the globe will be able to display their own distinctive identities. Events will include a World Highland Games Heavy Events Championship, including events like tossing the caber. A Clan Parade in which clans men (and women) will parade from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to Edinburgh Castle.

If, however, you happen to be heading to Edinburgh before then you can discover the history of Holyrood Park with the Royal Mile & More Walk Talk Tour mp3 guided tour.

Visitors to the capital of North Britain can learn about the history of the Queen's official Scottish residence the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Both the Palace and the Abbey have had long and turbulent histories. The Abbey's roof collapsed in 1768 and was never replaced. Discover how the precincts of Holyrood Abbey served as a sanctuary for debtors right up until the late nineteenth century. Find out how extensive the debtors' sanctuary was with your own Royal Mile & More iPod podcast guide and what privileges were extended to them with your Walk Talk Tour downloadable travel guide.

Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay, is patron of the Gathering 2009. The event next July promises to be a great spectacle. Public gatherings of the clans before royalty are nothing new to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, or Edinburgh. In 1822 Sir Walter Scott insisted that the male members of the Scottish nobility dress in their respective kilts for the visit of George IV. The King's trip North was awash with symbols of Scottish nationalism and displays of pagentary, as you will hear with your Royal Mile & More audio downloadable tour.

To discover the precise route and all the commentary points on the Royal Mile & More mp3 guided tour please click here. To here an audio sample from the Royal Mile & More Walk Talk Tour please click here.