Concerns among Holyrood committee of clan event cancellation

A HOLYROOD committee today voiced concern at the cancellation of a clan event planned for the 2014 Homecoming in the wake of the financial disaster of the Edinburgh’s 2009 Gathering.

Stirling Council bought the rights to the Gathering brand after the Capital’s event ended in massive losses.

But then Stirling decided to scrap plans for a repeat in mid-July 2014 “due to the scale, complexity, and reputational and financial risks inherent with a gathering-style event”.

It said it would support the National Trust for Scotland’s plans to celebrate the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn in June instead.

However, American clan groups advised their members to put plans for travelling to Scotland on hold” amid “confusion surrounding 2014”.

Edinburgh’s Gathering, held in Holyrood Park in July 2009, was given a £180,000 government loan but collapsed with debts of about £516,000.

Tory MSP Murdo Fraser, convener of the economy, energy and tourism committee, said: “There has to be a question of whether we will get the large number of visitors we had hoped for from North America.”