An entry from Sinclair 2000: A Personal View by Malcolm Caithness
Sunday 30th July
Following a quick check of the Thurso hotels I had time to walk to the Church in good time for the Service. Met Brigid Hadfield (Episcopalian) and Bishop Mario Conti (Catholic and whom I knew) and then went through some points with Ronnie Johnstone (Church of Scotland), the host Minister.
The Church was well attended but some did not make it as they had gone to Orkney, as it was the only feasible day it could be done. I would have liked everyone there but I cannot blame them. They were so close and it was a great opportunity.
The service was incredibly special and moving. During the first hymn the banner party came in - Don carrying the American one, Bill the Canadian one, Niven the one for all the Sinclairs, Jamie the Sinclair of Ulbster one and Berrie mine. With Iona standing next to me I felt so proud of my two children and they are such a support to their Dad.
The plaque to commemorate the Gathering which was carved in Caithness slate by Shaun Williamson, the Clan Sinclair Trust stonemason, was handed over to Ronnie and it was hanging in the entrance vestibule as we left. The service had a wonderful theme to it - the importance of the clan but not as an elite club. Brigid contrasted the good system with her experience of Northern Ireland where it had failed.
During the last hymn - The Battle Hymn of the Republic - the banner party formed up in the front, were given their banners and then turned to face the congregation. You could have cut the emotion with a knife and the singing nearly took the church roof off.
The banner party were the first to leave and stood at the bottom of the steps so the clan had to pass them. I was then caught by surprise for as Margaret Thurso, John and I left last, Rory was on hand again with his pipes to play us down the steps of the Church.
Margaret Thurso hosted a small lunch for the three Ministers and then John and I did our final detailed planning for the days ahead. Berrie accompanied by Mary Selver took Iona to catch her plane at Inverness and I went to dinner at Strathmore hosted by Clan Sinclair Canada.
Following a quick check of the Thurso hotels I had time to walk to the Church in good time for the Service. Met Brigid Hadfield (Episcopalian) and Bishop Mario Conti (Catholic and whom I knew) and then went through some points with Ronnie Johnstone (Church of Scotland), the host Minister.
The Church was well attended but some did not make it as they had gone to Orkney, as it was the only feasible day it could be done. I would have liked everyone there but I cannot blame them. They were so close and it was a great opportunity.
The service was incredibly special and moving. During the first hymn the banner party came in - Don carrying the American one, Bill the Canadian one, Niven the one for all the Sinclairs, Jamie the Sinclair of Ulbster one and Berrie mine. With Iona standing next to me I felt so proud of my two children and they are such a support to their Dad.
The plaque to commemorate the Gathering which was carved in Caithness slate by Shaun Williamson, the Clan Sinclair Trust stonemason, was handed over to Ronnie and it was hanging in the entrance vestibule as we left. The service had a wonderful theme to it - the importance of the clan but not as an elite club. Brigid contrasted the good system with her experience of Northern Ireland where it had failed.
During the last hymn - The Battle Hymn of the Republic - the banner party formed up in the front, were given their banners and then turned to face the congregation. You could have cut the emotion with a knife and the singing nearly took the church roof off.
The banner party were the first to leave and stood at the bottom of the steps so the clan had to pass them. I was then caught by surprise for as Margaret Thurso, John and I left last, Rory was on hand again with his pipes to play us down the steps of the Church.
Margaret Thurso hosted a small lunch for the three Ministers and then John and I did our final detailed planning for the days ahead. Berrie accompanied by Mary Selver took Iona to catch her plane at Inverness and I went to dinner at Strathmore hosted by Clan Sinclair Canada.
< Previous: Saturday 30th July Next: Monday 31st July >
